Erell Institute
education through research
Our Mission
We aim to develop the curiosity and creativity of the next generation of scientists in behavioral ecology. To do this we organize research experiences that enable people from all backgrounds to take part in the process of science. Each experience brings a team of diverse researchers together to develop a question, work together to collect and analyze data that will answer their question, and present their answers to the scientific community as well as the general public.
Announcements
Mexico Collaboration
Doug and Maria spent 8 days in Toluca, Mexico to visit the Ecology & Behavior Lab. We gave seminars, discussed possible lab projects, and visited possible field sites for future projects. Our stay culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their newly renovated lab, coupled with a celebration for the successful Master’s defense of Ingrid Morales Méndez, entitled “Efecto de la temperatura en el desempeño de la lagartija Aspidoscelis costatus costatus frente a tareas cognitivas de diferente complejidad” (“Effect of temperature on the performance of the lizard Aspidoscelis costatus costatus in cognitive tasks of different complexity”).
Congratulations
Mia Phillips, Erell Institute Scientific Advisory Board member, has completed her PhD from Dartmouth College, Department of Biological Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Environment and Society Program (EEES), defending her thesis on vibrational communication in beetles on 4 June 2024, entitled “It's a Vibe: Exploring the Roles of Physiology and Phylogeny in Novel Signal Evolution"
Recent Presentations
Risky business: Decisions in the fear landscape
Doug Eifler
Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas
April 10th, 2024
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEM) in
Toluca, Mexico
May 21st, 2024
I like to move it, move it: Movement ecology of lizards
Maria Eifler
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEM) in
Toluca, Mexico
May 27th, 2024
Wetlands Mammals in Kansas
Maria Eifler
Lawrence, KS
Baker Wetlands Discover Center
May 9th, 2024
Reptiles and Amphibians of Kansas
Doug Eifler
Lawrence, KS
Baker Wetlands Discover Center
April 25th, 2024
Movement ecology: lizards and the path to enlightenment
Doug Eifler
Memphis, TN
Rhodes College
October 9th, 2023
Lizard Tails Tales: Creative Challenges to Life's Solutions
A (Cold-Blooded Comedic Presentation)
Doug Eifler
Lawrence, KS
Baker Wetlands Discover Center
December 2nd, 2023
Salt Basin Sand Dunes, TX - Read the Zine
2022 lizard camp ZINE.pdfSEEDS National Field Trip
From 12-15 October 2023, Doug and Maria Eifler participated as 2 of 6 mentors for the SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability of the Ecological Society of America) national field trip to the Konza Prairie biological station in Manhattan, Kansas. There were 22 student participants in the program, coming from all over the US (e.g., California, Hawaii, Minnesota, North Carolina, Kansas, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands). Station personnel gave talks on long-term ecological research occurring at Konza, as well as tours of the station. Doug served on a Q&A panel focused on professional development and navigating career trajectories. The attending mentors guided students through a research project that they planned and carried out in small groups and then presented on the last evening of the trip.
Check out the report from Lizard Camp '23
Lizard camp is a hands on research training experience for emerging women in science.
Wall Lizards
The Wall Lizard Task Force just released their first publication on the common wall lizards in Lawrence, KS. The paper explores the relationship and potential competition between the introduced Italian Wall Lizards and native Five-lined skinks in Lawrence and the surrounding areas. Check it out below!
Erell gives talk in Tunisia
In partnership with the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University, Doug, Maria, and Makenna presented a seminar on the meaning of life in January!
Kaera's Master's thesis is published
SEEDS Meetup 2022
Maria and Doug are the sponsors for the Kansas University Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability program (SEEDS) chapter. We recently had the chance to meet with other chapters from Colorado for a weekend of camping! Highlights included visits to Comanche National Grassland, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and TCN Zapata Ranch. Thanks to ESA for funding the experience and to Makenna Orton for organizing everything!