Research interests

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My research focuses on evaluating the effects of environmental stressors on amphibian behavior and physiology. More specifically, I am interested in ecotoxicology, disease ecology, amphibian physiology, and amphibian resilience. I am experienced in R and utilize Bayesian methods for data analysis.

Other areas of interest include snake fungal disease, reptile immunology and physiology, the gender gaps in STEM and academia, and conservation biology (amphibians, reptiles, and broadly across all areas of life).

Ongoing research projects as a postdoctoral researcher:
  • Validating ELISA for sex determination of common amphibian species in the pet trade.
  • Pathogen surveillance of the international amphibian pet trade.
  • Evaluating the impacts of habitat complexity on pathogen susceptibility in common amphibian pet species.
  • Assessing the toxicity of a plant-derived fungicide that reduces Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans infection burdens and increases survival.
  • Evaluating the influence of common environmental contaminants on Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans growth in vitro.
  • Strategies for improving the sustainability of the herpetological trade.
  • Production of education and outreach materials for pet owners and industry professionals regarding pathogens and best practices in the amphibian pet trade.
  • Investigating the mechanism of action of curcumin against chytrid zoospores

The chapters of my dissertation included:
  • Monitoring ranavirus prevalence in South Dakota amphibian communities
  • Evaluating the ability of larval American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) to function as ranavirus reservoirs over the winter
  • Evaluating the effects of ranavirus and anchorworm coinfection on survival and growth in larval American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana)
  • Investigating tradeoffs between amphibian development, immune defenses, and toxin management

Publications: 
Galvin DJ, Anderson SC, Marolf CJ, Schneider NA, Liebl AL. Comparative analysis of gender disparity in academic positions based on US region and STEM discipline. PLoS ONE 19(3): e0298736. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298736.

Publications in review:
Funk AT, Keoho C, Carter ED, Cusaac PJW, Sheley WC, Tompros A, Galvin DJ, Miller DL,
Gray MJ. Effects of sedimentation and concomitant pollutants on larval eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). Conservation Biology. In review.

​Stay tuned for updates on upcoming publications!