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KatyAnn Liley

I began my career in research at a state university as an eager high school apprentice when I was 15. Later, when I enrolled as a college student, I continued my early research career in the Integrative Biology department by starting my own projects.

 

By clicking the Read More button below, you will be taken to the About Me page with more information about where I began my career and what I am working toward.

Gain a contact at Smithsonian National Zoo
 
Completed: 02/2019
Secure an internship at the Smithsonian National Zoo
 
Completed: 10/2020

RECENT GOALS

Continue to diversify my experiences in wildlife related fields.
Pastel Bird

MY PAST RESEARCH

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2019 - Present:

Animal Husbandry in Ornithology:

Smithsonian National Zoo. Department of Ornithology.  

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  • Maintenance and Enrichment of/for cross-continental species of birds.

    • Daily composition of diets and habitat enrichment items

    • Conducting daily behavioral assays and seasonal observation of breeding behaviors including chick rearing.

    • Estimating environmental relevancy of data & continuing care and observation

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Bird
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2015-2018:

Heavy metal toxicity to honey bees:

Oklahoma State University, Reagents Professor Dr. Scott McMurry, Integrative Biology dept. 

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  • Composition of heavy metal sulfates in varying doses, mg/L, mixed into sugar water for direct consumption

    • Established & maintain two apiaries off campus

    • Conducted trials on acute toxicity of heavy metals commonly found in waterways

    • Estimating environmental relevancy of data & continuing trials (post winter)

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2013-2018

Preliminary study, Toad behavior:

Oklahoma State University, Reagents Professor Dr. Scott McMurry, Integrative Biology dept.

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  • Prey orientation habits of toads analyzed for future research assessing effects of agricultural pesticides on amphibian neurology:

    • Field work: frog, toad, & snake collection

    • Husbandry of amphibians

    • Behavior trials:

      • Alteration of prey lure: color and shape (lure present in photo: body of a black cricket (Gryllus assimilis))

      • Circular directional prey orientation; L vs R rotation

      • day/night simulations 

Included (at left) is a document I wrote several years ago discussing the topic. It will not be published.

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2013:

Hippocampus study:

Oklahoma State University, Dr. Alexander Ophir, Integrative Biology dept. 

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  • Brain growth analysis in voles (rodents) raised in monogamous and polygynous family groups:

    • Extracted vole brains, froze, and sliced in cryostat.

    • Mounted slices in microscope slides and stained in crystal violet.

    • Analyzed stained slides under microscope, mapped out hippocampus, statistically analyzed area.

Photo Credit: Todd Ahern (unrelated to mentioned study)

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