ISRAEL DEL TORO PH.D.
CURRICULUM VITAE- APRIL 2015
Center for Macroecology Evolution and Climate
Universitetparken 15
Copenhagen, Denmark, DK-2100
Deltoro.weebly.com
The Jornada LTER
2995 Knox Street
Las Cruces, NM, 88012
[email protected]
APPOINTMENTS
2014
NSF Research Fellow: Center for Macroecology Evolution and Climate- University of
Copenhagen, Denmark; The Jornada Long Term Ecological Research Center, Las
Cruces NM, USA.
2012-2013
Fulbright Research Fellow: CSIRO- Australian Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre,
Darwin Australia
2011 (Fall)
Instructor, University of Massachusetts Amherst. Community Ecology, Macroecology
and Conservation Biogeography
2008-2009
Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at El Paso. Introduction to the Study of Life
(Freshman Level Biology Laboratory).
EDUCATION
2014
Ph.D. Department of Biology, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of
Massachusetts at Amherst. Advisor: Aaron M. Ellison (Harvard Forest LTER).
Dissertation Committee: N.J. Gotelli, B. Bradley, J. Finn.
Expected completion: May 2014
2012
M. Sc. Department of Biology, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of
Massachusetts at Amherst.
2008
BS Major: Biological Sciences emphasis on Ecology and Evolution,
Minor: Environmental Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Cum Laude
(GPA 3.62), with Honors Senior Thesis: Revision of the Ant Genus Liometopum
PUBLICATIONS
* Undergraduate co-author, † Authors contributed equally
2015
I. Del Toro, R.R. Ribbons, A.M. Ellison. Ant–mediated ecosystem functions on a
warmer planet: effects on soil movement, decomposition and nutrient cycling. (In
Press) Journal of Animal Ecology
I. Del Toro, R. Silva, A.M. Ellison. Predicting the impacts of climatic change on ant
functional diversity and distributions in Eastern North American Forests. (In Press)
Diversity and Distributions
2014
M. Marquis†, I. Del Toro†, S.L. Pelini†. Insect Mutualisms Buffer Warming Effects on
Multiple Trophic Levels. Ecology 95(1):9-13.
2013
I. Del Toro. Diversity of eastern North American ant communities along
environmental gradients. PLoS ONE 8(7): e67073
I. Del Toro†, K. Towle*†, D. Morrison*, S. Pelini. Community Structure, Ecological and
Behavioral Traits of Ants in Massachusetts Open and Forested Habitats.
Northeastern Naturalist 20(1):103-114.
C.M. Prather, S. Pelini, A. Laws, E. Rivest, M. Woltz, C. Bloch, I. Del Toro, C.K. Ho, J.
Kominoski, T.A.S. Newbold. S. parsons. Invertebrates, ecosystem services and
climate change. Biological Reviews 88(2): 327-348.
2012
I Del Toro, RR Ribbons, SL Pelini. The little things that run the world revisited: A
review of ant-mediated ecosystem services. Myrmecological News 17:133-146.
Diamond SE, DM Sorger, J Hulcr, SL Pelini, I Del Toro, C Hirsch, E Oberg*, and RR
Dunn. Who likes it hot? A global analysis of the climatic, ecological, and evolutionary
determinants of warming tolerance in ants. Global Change Biology 18(2)448-456.
Oberg E*†, I Del Toro†, SL Pelini†. Thermal tolerance assays in New England Ants.
Insectes Sociaux 59(2): 167-174.
2010
I. Del Toro. K.W. Floyd, D. Borrok. Heavy metal distribution and bioaccumulation in
Chihuahuan Desert Harvester Ant populations. Journal of Environmental Pollution
158(5): 1281-1287.
2009
I. Del Toro, J. Pacheco, W.P. Mackay. Revision of the Ant Genus Liometopum
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 53 (2A) 299-369.
I. Del Toro, M. Vazquez*, W.P. Mackay, P. Rojas, and R. Zapata-Mata. Las Hormigas
de Tabasco (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Explorando la diversidad de la
mirmecofauna en las selvas tropicales de baja altitud. [The Ants of Tabasco
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae)].Dugesiana 16:1-14.
PUBLICATIONS IN REVIEW AND IN PREP
H. Gibb, N.J. Sanders, R.R. Dunn, M. Phatakis, A.N. Andersen, X. Arnan, T. Bishop, I.
Del Toro, D. Donoso, M. Fitzpatrick, L. Lach, J. Lattke, J.P. Lessard, J. Longino, A.
Lucky, S. Philpott, C.L. Parr. Climate regulates the effects of disturbance on ant
assemblage structure. (In Review)
Andersen, A.N, I. Del Toro, Parr K. Diversity of ants along a precipitation gradient in
Northern Australia. (In Review)
I. Del Toro, A.N. Andersen. Integrating macroecological and species distribution
models to predict current and future community assembly patterns. (In Prep).
OTHER PUBLICATIONS, BOOK CHAPTERS, & PRESS RELEASES
I. Del Toro. The Chihuahuan Desert. (2013). In: Biomes and Ecosystems: An
Encyclopedia. Ed. R.W. Howarth, Salem Press, 1440 pp.
I. Del Toro. Mid-latitude Deserts. (2013). In: Biomes and Ecosystems: An
Encyclopedia. Ed. R.W. Howarth, Salem Press, 1440 pp
I. Del Toro. 2008. Penguins, Bugs and the Experience of a Lifetime. Society for the
Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans. SACNAS News, Feature article.
GRANTS AND AWARDS
2014
National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology.
Forecasting the impact of climate change and political boundaries on biodiversity
conservation and management along the US-Mexico border. ($257,000)
2012
Fulbright Fellowship, Australian-American Postgraduate Research Scholarship.
One year funding to complete research in Australia’s Northern Territory on
community assembly rules along environmental gradients. ($38,000)
Sigma Xi Conference Travel Grant. ($300)
Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Summer Research Grant. Funding for
completing a mesocosm experiment evaluating the impact of warming on ecosystem
processes mediated by Formica subsericea. ($1,000)
2010
Lewis and Clark Expedition Grant, The American Philosophical Society for field
work on exploring the biodiversity of ants in the Northeastern United StatesDoctoral Student Research ($3,500)
National Geographic Young Explorer’s Grant for field work on exploring the
biodiversity of ants in the Northeastern United States- Doctoral Student Research
($5000)
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Natural History Collections Grant for field
work and work at the UMass entomological collection ($3,000)
American Museum of Natural History, Museum collections study grant for travel and
work at the entomological collection of the AMNH. ($1,500)
2009
Academy of Natural Sciences Jessup Fellowship. Museum collections study grant for
travel and work at the entomological collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences,
($1,250)
NEAGEP Doctoral Student Fellowship. Awarded to underrepresented Ph.D. students
conducting scientific research. Deferred until 2012. ($20,000/ year for two years).
University of Massachusetts & Harvard Forest LTER.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Fellowship for
conducting research on the impacts of regional climate change on ant communities
in forested ecosystems. ($30,000/ year for three years). University of Massachusetts
& Harvard Forest LTER.
2008
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, Award
for best undergraduate poster presentation in the field of polar sciences. ($250) Salt
Lake City, Utah.
Ecological Society of America. Best student poster award in the field of soil ecology.
($500) Milwaukee, WI.
Ecological Society of America (SEEDS) Special Project Grant. Evaluation of Heavy
Metal Contaminants in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert: Research and Education
Opportunities for Underrepresented Students in Desert Ecology. ($5,000)
Clark Hubbs Student Poster Award- Southwestern Association of Naturalists.
($600), Memphis, TN.
Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation -UTEP Geology/Environmental Science
28th Annual Colloquium ($150), El Paso, TX.
2007
Forrest K. Jackson Endowment Memorial ($1,265)
University of Texas at El Paso Study Abroad Scholarship ($2,000)
2006
University of Texas at El Paso Study Abroad Scholarship ($2,500)
2005-2008
Appointed to Deans List
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science,
Scholarship for Undergraduate Student Travel and Accommodations. ($300)
Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology Award. Funding for
undergraduate research in environmental biology. ($16,000)
ONGOING RESEARCH
Post-doctoral Research Focus: Arthropod biodiversity along environmental gradients in the “Sky
Islands” of the southwestern U.S.A.
Spatial distribution of Formica spp. nests in Danish ecosystems.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Geographic Information Systems, Ecological Statistics, Ecological Processes Modeling, Regional
Climate Change Predictions, Species Distribution Modeling
Hymenoptera Formicidae: Community Ecology, Biogeography, Macroecology, Taxonomy,
Systematics, Behavior.
INVITED SEMINARS, TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND STUDENT OUTREACH
2015
New Mexico State University: The heat is on! Climate Change impacts on the
biogeography and ecology of ecosystem engineers. (Biology Department Seminar
Series)
New Mexico State University: Developing field studies with ants. (Guest Lecture at
HHMI undergraduate research course)
2013
Harvard University: Combining macroecological and species distribution models to
predict community assembly along environmental gradients. (Harvard Forest
Seminar Series).
CSIRO Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre: Using distribution models to project
biodiversity patterns of ant communities in Australia’s Northern Savannahs.
2012
Invited Guest Lecture- Use of G.I.S. for modeling species distribution responses to
regional climate change. (Natural Resources and Conservation 297- Reading the
Landscape, 60 students) University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Invited Seminar Warm Ants: Community and Thermal Ecology of ants of New
England. (Summer REU research seminar series). Harvard University
2011
Community Ecology and Conservation Biogeography (Natural Resources and
Conservation 597) University of Massachusetts Amherst. Developed upper-division
undergraduate and graduate level course focused on the principles of community
ecology and biogeography with conservation implications. Supervisor: Todd K.
Fuller Ph.D.
2010, 2011
Graduate School Preparation Panelist, REU program, Harvard Forest
2008-2009
Biology Tutor, El Paso Community College. Tutoring for introductory biology
courses (Freshman and Sophomore level). Laboratory preparatory technician.
Supervisor: Jose Maldonado M.S.
Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at El Paso. Introduction to the Study of Life
(Freshman Level Biology Laboratory). Primary Instructor: Horacio Gonzalez Ph.D.
2008
Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at El Paso. Biology for non-majors
(Freshman Level). Primary Instructor: Carl Lieb Ph.D.
2007
Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at El Paso Entomology Course.
Primary Instructor: William P. Mackay Ph.D.
Guest Lecturer. Coronado High School Biology Class. The Chihuahuan
Desert Ecology: Introduction to basic ecological concepts. Supervised by William P.
Mackay Ph.D., Jason Harris M.S.
2006
2015
Guest Lecturer in Taxonomy Course. La importancia de Taxonomía de insectos y sus
interacciones con ecosistemas terrestres. Raul Zapata Mata. Universidad Juarez
Autonoma de Tabasco Division Académica de Ciencias Biológicas.
ABSTRACTS
I. Del Toro. Warming impacts on ant-mediated ecosystem processes. ESA,
Baltimore, USA. Poster.
2014
I. Del Toro. Biodiversity along a rainfall gradient: Insights into climate change
impacts on Australia’s ant biodiversity. ATBC, Cairns, Australia. Poster
2013
I. Del Toro, R.R. Ribbons, A.N. Andersen. Community assembly of ants along
environmental gradients: Combining Species Distribution and Macroecological
models. IBS Special Meeting, Montreal, Oral Presentation.
2012
I. Del Toro. Biogeographic responses of ant species and communities to regional
climate change. ESA Annual Meeting. Portland, Oregon, Oral Presentation.
2011
I. Del Toro, A.M. Ellison. Ant diversity along latitude and elevation gradients in the
Northeastern United States. ESA Annual Meeting. Austin, Texas, Poster Presentation.
I. Del Toro, A.M. Elllison. Measuring Beta Diversity along environmental gradients.
Northeastern Naturalist Annual Meeting. Albany, New York, Oral Presentation.
2010
R. Ribbons, I. Del Toro. Schoolyard Biology, ESA, Pittsburgh PA.
2009
I. Del Toro, K.W. Floyd, D. Borrok, Heavy Metal Distribution and Bioaccumulation in
Chihuahuan Desert Rough Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex rugosus) Populations. ESA
Albuquerque New Mexico, Oral Presentation.
E. Walsh, D. Borrok, I.Del Toro, K.W. Floyd. 2009. Heavy metal pollutants in the El
Paso TX, region: Results from a ESA SEEDS special Project. ESA, Albuquerque New
Mexico. Poster Presentation.
2008
I. Del Toro, C. Tweedie. Terrestrial microarthropod biodiversity analysis of the
Antarctic Peninsula, Meeting. Milwaukee, WI. ESA and SACNAS, Milwaukee WI. Salt
Lake City, UT. Poster Presentation.
I. Del Toro, D. Borrok, W.P. Mackay. Heavy metal sequestration in rough harvester
ant communities of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. University of Texas at El Paso
Geology/ Environmental Science 22nd Annual Colloquium. El Paso Texas, and
Southwester Association of Naturalists (SWAN), Memphis TN. Poster Presentation.
2006
I. Del Toro. Estudio de hormigas comunes del estado de Tabasco. Univesidad Juarez
Autonoma de Tabasco, feria de investigación. Villahermosa Tabasco México.
I. Del Toro, J. Pacheco, W.P. Mackay. 2006. The ant genus Liometopum notes on
taxonomy and natural history. SACNAS, Tampa Bay Florida, SWAN Colima Mexico,
Oral Presentation
P.A Lenhart, S. Del Toro, S.T. Dash, I. Del Toro, W.P. Mackay, New style of fungal
garden construction in the fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex smithi (Hymenoptera:
Formicidae) of the El Paso, Texas area. Poster Presentation. SWAN Colima Mexico.
Poster Presentation.
2005
I. Del Toro, J. Pacheco, W.P. Mackay. 2005. Identification and morphometric
description of members of the ant genus Liometopum (HYMENOPTERA:
FORMICIDAE). SACNAS, Denver Colorado. Poster Presentation.
José Pacheco, William Mackay, Elizabeth Walsh, Paloma Vargas, I. Del Toro and
Isidra Moreno. Revision Of the South American Thief Ants of the genus Solenopsis
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae): A potential biological control agent for the red
imported fire ant, Poster Presentation. Red Imported Fire Ant National Conference
(RIFA). Poster Presentation.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE/ MEMBERSHIP IN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
Peer Review: “Ecological Monographs”, “Diversity and Distributions”, “Journal of Biogeography”,
“Myrmecological News”, “Dugesiana”, “Ecological Management and Restoration”,
“Ecological Applications”, “Journal of Thermal Biology”, “Southwestern Naturalist”,
“PLoS ONE”, “Oikos”
Membership: Ecological Society of America (ESA), Ecological Society of Australia (ESAu), Society
for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS),
Entomological Society of America (ENTSOC), Southwestern Association of
Naturalists (SWAN), International Biogeography Society (IBS), Association for
Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC)
Research:
Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) network graduate student researcher.
Harvard Forest LTER. Graduate Student Representative
Mentorship:
Harvard Forest REU- Adam Clark, Erick Oberg, Margarete Romero, Natashia
Manyak, Michael Marquis, Kate Davis, Matthew Combs
UMass Amherst- Alex Gerasimchuck, Drew Morrison
CSIRO Fulbright: Lilian Carpene, Ariane Bouilly
WORKSHOPS
2012
Econnect Media Science Communication Training Workshop- CSIRO TERC, Darwin
2011
Species distribution modeling workshop- AMNH Southwestern Research Station
2009
Impacts of climate change on invertebrate mediated ecosystem services- LTER All
Scientist Meeting
RESEARCH SKILLS
Proficient in species distribution modeling and spatial analyses using R
Use of dichotomous keys for Formicidae
Use of dichotomous keys for North American Stream Macroinvertebrates
Proficient Identification of the ants of North and Central America and Australia.
Use of Auto Montage Microscopy Imaging System
Use of Inductively Coupled Plasma/ Optical Emission Spectrometry Equipment
Comfortable with basic laboratory techniques
Comfortable with basic entomology and ecology field techniques
Capable with Microsoft Computing Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Proficient in use of Geographic Information Systems Software- ArcGIS
Bilingual- Proficient in reading, writing and speaking Spanish.
Wilderness First Aid Certified-SOLO WFA Certification 2010-2014
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND FIELD WORK
2013
2012
2011
2010
Helicopter based- Field work in Northern Territory of Australia sampling ants in
remote regions of Kakadu National Park for 14 days.
Field work in Northern Territory of Australia sampling ants along a precipitation
gradient and modeling species distributions.
Warming Mesocosm experiment at Harvard Forest LTER
Field work collecting ants in the Northeastern United States along latitudinal and
elevation gradients. May-August.
Field work coring Spruce Trees for Dendrochronology Analysis. June-August.
2009
Field work collecting ants and pitcher plant metrics in Maine, 14 days
2008
Summer internship at Harvard Forest Long Term Ecological Research Station.
Petersham MA. Stream Macroinvertebrate Ecology. Mentor: William Sobczak Ph.D.
Hollycross University, Harvard Forest Bullard Fellow.
Ecological Society of America SEEDS Travel Fellowship to Bonanza Creek Long Term
Ecological Research Station. Fairbanks, Alaska. Mentor: Erin Vinson ESA SEEDS
Coordinator.
2007
Field collection of terrestrial microarthropods in the northern Antarctica Peninsula,
21 days
2006
Field Collection of ants in Yucatan Peninsula August 2006-August 2007
2005
Field work and collection of ants for 21 days in Ecuador.
2004-2009
Ant Taxonomy and Ecology, work with Dr. William P. Mackay. University of Texas El
Paso. Desert Ecology Laboratory.
PERSONAL REFRENCES
DR. AARON M. ELLISON, HARVARD FOREST LTER, 324 N. MAIN STREET. PETERSHAM MA. 01366
(978) 724-3302; [email protected]
DR. ALAN ANDERSEN, CSIRO- TROPICAL ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH CENTRE, OFFICER IN CHARGE. 564
VANDERLIN DRIVE BERRIMAH, NT, AUSTRALIA. (+61)8 8944- 8431; [email protected]
DR. NATE SANDERS, UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN, CENTER FOR MACROECOLOGY CLIMATE AND EVOLUTION. 15
UNIVERSITETSPARKEN, COPENHAGEN DENMARK 2100.