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Diplomas / Degrees

PhD, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2005)
BS, Wake Forest University (2000)

Recent Courses

Biological Concepts And Methods I I (lab)
Biological Concepts And Methods I I (lecture)
Comparative Anatomy
Comparative Anatomy Lab
Directed Readings Comparative Physiology
Directed Readings Veterinary Preceptorship
Graduate Developmental Biology
Guided Research Developmental Morphology
Guided Research Evolutionary Morphology
Guided Research Functional Morphology
Guided Research In Biology Functional Morphology
Guided Research In Biology Independent Study Functional Morphology
Guided Research: Capstone Experience Developmental Morphology
Guided Research: Capstone Experience Evolutionary Morphology
Guided Research: Capstone Experience Functional Morphology
Independent Study Directed Readings Art In Biology
Independent Study Directed Readings Biomechanics
Independent Study Environmental Impacts On Fish
Pre-Health Professions Internship
Thesis Research Evolutionary Morphology
Thesis Research Functional Morphology
Vertebrate Zoology
Vertebrate Zoology Lab

Teaching Specializations / Interests

Vertebrate Anatomy
Developmental Biology
Evolution

Research Interests

In my research, I incorporate the fields of evolutionary biology, functional morphology, and developmental biology. Specifically, I am interested in the evolution of the elongate body form in fishes. My lab examines the developmental origin of body elongation as well as the effect of body elongation on locomotion.

Grants / Sponsored Research

2009. Bettleheim Research Award, Adelphi University, Role of Variation in Vertebral Number on Escape Performance in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) ($1200).

2008. Adelphi University President’s Faculty Development Grant. Evolution of Elongation in Fishes ($5000).

2008. New York State Excelsior Scholar Program Grant. Co-PIs: Gary Schechter, Beth Christensen, Lee Stemkoski, Andrea Ward. Provided funds to support 2-week science and math program for 7th grade students on the Adelphi University campus in July 2008 ($52,390)

Recent Articles

Showing first 5 of 6. View All

M.D. Kinkel, E.M. Sefton, Y. Kikuchi, T. Mizoguchi, A.B. Ward, and V.E. Prince. (2009, 4). Cyp26 enzymes function in endoderm to regulate pancreatic field size. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 106, 7864-7869

Ward, A.B, R.M. Warga, and V.E. Prince. (2007, 6). Origin of the zebrafish endocrine and exocrine pancreas. Developmental Dynamics, 236, 1558-1569

Ward, A.B. and E.L.Brainerd. (2007, 1). Evolution of axial patterning in elongate fishes. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 90, 97-116

Ward, A.B. and E. Azizi. (2004, 8). Convergent evolution of the head retraction escape response in elongate fishes and amphibians. Zoology, 107, 205-217

Ward, A.B., P.D. Weigl, and R.M. Conroy. (2002, 4). Functional morphology of raptor hindlimbs: Implications for resource partitioning. Auk, 119, 1052-1063

Conference Presentations and Papers

Showing first 5 of 7. View All

C. M. Rade and A. B. Ward (27 July 2009). Fin reduction and loss in ostophysan fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Portland, Oregon

R. J. Aluck and A. B. Ward (01 January 2009). Use of contact points during aquatic and terrestrial locomotion in polypteriform fishes. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Boston, MA

M.L. Flauto and A.B. Ward (01 January 2009). Impact of temperature during early development on startle responses in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Boston, MA

C.M. Rade, E.M. Ciummo, and A.B. Ward (01 January 2009). The evolution of fin reduction and loss in fishes. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Boston, MA

A.B. Ward and N.J. Kley (01 January 2008). Visceral topography in elongate vertebrates. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Antonio, TX

Professional Activities

Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Public Affairs Committee (2009)

Fish Expert Jamaica Bay BioBlitz (2009)

Fish Expert Meadowbrook BioBlitz (2008)

Peer reviewer for Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (2007), Evolution (2006), Functional Ecology (2006, 2005), IBIS (2005), Journal of Experimental Biology (2004), Journal of Morphology (2007), Physiological and Biochemical Zoology (2008), The Wilson Bulletin (2004), The Open Zoology Journal (2009), and Zoology (2007, 2008).