Colton R. Zirkle
Entomology Department  University of Arkansas  Fayetteville, AR 72701
[email protected]  (816) 646-8661
EDUCATION
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Master of Science, Entomology, anticipated graduation: December, 2016
Missouri State University, Springfield
Bachelor of Science, Wildlife Biology, 2014.
Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO. Fall 2012.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research – Insect Pollinators of the Ozark Chinquapin
01/2015 – present
 Advisor: Dr. Ashley Dowling
 Objective: to determine what role insects play in the pollination of the Ozark Chinquapin tree
Research Assistant – Missouri State University
01/2011 – 07/2014
 Supervisor: Dr. Chris Barnhart
 Freshwater mussel culture. Projects included:
̶
Husbandry of native fish
̶
Lab Chemical Inventory
̶
Research on the toxicity of the biocide Zequanox®.
̶
Propagation and release of the endangered Pink Mucket
̶
Upkeep of AHAB and upweller systems
̶
Kansas City Zoo, summer of 2012, upkeep of floating upweller systems, raceways, and data
collection
Student Research – Missouri Western State University
 Supervisor: Dr. David Ashley
̶
Troglobytic Millipede Survey: Ozark Underground Lab
 Supervisor: Dr. Mark Mills
̶
Turtle Population Ecology and Metapopulation Dynamics
2013
2009-2010
GRANTS
Ozark Chinquapin Foundation: Pollination strategies.
2015
PRESENTATIONS
Zirkle, C.R. The Castanea conundrum: bees or breeze? Ozark Chinquapin Foundation Annual Meeting,
Hobbs State Park, Rogers, AR. March 2015.
Mills, M. S., Haley, J., Wallace, N., and Zirkle, C.R. "Population ecology of turtles on the campus of Missouri
Western State University: year two," Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologist, AES, ASIH,
HL, and SSAR. University of Minnesota and St. Olaf College, Minneapolis, MN. 2011.
Mills, M. S., Haley, J., Wallace, N., and Zirkle, C.R. "Urban Biodiversity: Population Ecology of Turtles on
the Campus of Missouri Western State University," Annual Meeting of the Missouri Academy of
Science, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO. 2011.
Mills, M. S., T. Ausberger, K. Sheehan, and C.R. Zirkle. “Population Ecology of Turtles on Missouri Western
State University’s Campus.” Missouri Academy of Science (MAS) Annual Meeting, Missouri State
University, Springfield, MO. 2010.
Mills, M. S., Ausberger, T., Sheehan, K., Zirkle, C.R. "A Preliminary Study of the Population
Ecology of Turtles on Missouri Western State University's Campus," Kansas Herpetological
Society 36th Annual Meeting, Kansas Herpetological Society, MidAmerica Nazarene
University, Olathe, KS. November 2009.
Mills, M. S., Ausberger, T., Zirkle, C.R., Sheehan, K. "Population Ecology of Turtles on Missouri
Western University's Campus: A Preliminary Report." 22nd Annual Meeting of the Missouri
Herpetological Association, Missouri Herpetological Association, Bull Shoals Field Station,
Kirbyville, MO. September 2009.
Mills, M. S., Ausberger, T., Zirkle, C.R., Sheehan, K. "Population Ecology of Turtles on the MWSU Campus:
A Summer Research Institute Project," MWSU Seminar Series, sponsored by Beta Beta Beta, MWSU
Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society, MWSU PreProfessional Club, MWSU, St. Joseph, MO.
September 2009.
Mills, M. S., Ausberger, T., Sheehan, K., Zirkle, C.R. "Population Ecology of Turtles on Missouri Western
State University's Campus: A Preliminary Report." The 7th Annual Symposium on the Conservation
and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, Turtle Survival Alliance and IUCN Tortoise &
Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, St. Louis, MO. August 2009.
Ausberger, T., K. Sheehan, C.R. Zirkle, and M. S. Mills. Population Ecology and Metapopulation Dynamics of
Turtles on Missouri Western State University’s Campus. Eighth Annual Summer Research Institute
Symposium, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO. July 2009.
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONS
Distinguished Alumni Committee, University of Arkansas
Isely-Baerg Entomology Club, University of Arkansas, Secretary
Wildlife Society, University of Arkansas
2015
2015
2015
AWARDS AND LEADERSHIP
Boy Scouts of America
 Eagle Scout – Project: Certified Monarch Waystation #1860
 Patrick L. Newman Mic-O-Say Scholarship recipient
 Assistant Scoutmaster
 William T. Hornaday Award: Scouting’s highest conservation award
 Keeper of the Sacred Bundle in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say
 Tapper for the Tribe of Mic-O-Say 3rd Session
Conservation Leadership Corps of the Conservation Federation of Missouri
 President
 Co-authored resolutions drafted and passed by the CFM:
̶
Service Project Lists from State, Federal, and Private Agencies
̶
Honoring Ron Oesch
̶
Public Education on White Nose Syndrome
̶
Bats and Wind Energy
̶
Operation Illegal Dump
̶
Cave Gating
2008
2010
2009 -- present
2008
2011
2013
2013
2010-2013
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
2013 – present
2003 – present
September 2011
2014 – present
2012
Springfield Plateau Grotto
Boy Scouts of America
Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House
Trail Life USA
Bird Banding – Audubon Society
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Bio-surveys of caves in the Missouri Ozarks – Springfield Plateau Grotto
Teaching Assistant, Principles of Biology – University of Arkansas
Ranch Horse Team – Missouri State University
Hunter Education Instructor – Missouri Department of Conservation
Level I Burn Certification – Missouri Department of Conservation
2013 – present
2014
2013 – 2014
2012
2012
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Biogeography
Cave Ecology
Invertebrate Biology
Plant Taxonomy
Herpetology
Turtle Population Ecology
2013
2013
2013
2013
2012
2010