Biographical Sketch

Mary Savin was born in Rochester, NY, grew up in Massachusetts, and received her B.S. (1991) in Biology from the University of Notre Dame. After graduation, she worked in the Environmental Analysis Unit as a research assistant for Arthur D. Little in Cambridge, MA. She received her M.S. (1995) in Natural Resources at the University of Rhode Island where her thesis research centered on the biodegradation of the herbicide norflurazon. In 1999, she received her Ph.D. (1999) in Biological Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. Her dissertation research involved investigating relationships between pore size distribution in soil, trophic interactions among nematodes and microorganisms, and nutrient availability. Dr. Savin worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Rhode Island studying trophic interactions and nutrient availability in earthworm burrows and then worked at the University of Massachusetts Lowell studying bacterial-algal interactions using molecular techniques. Dr. Savin arrived at the University of Arkansas in January 2002 to work as an assistant professor in the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Department and continues to explore relationships in environmental microbial communities and biogeochemical processes in disturbed ecosystems.

2002    DNA Microarrays and T-RFLP Profiling for Environmental Microbiology, American Society for Microbiology annual meeting workshop. Salt             Lake City, UT.
2002    Molecular Techniques for the Analysis of Microbial Community Structure in Soil and the Rhizosphere, Training Workshop in Support of the                 Multi-state Initiative in Soil Microbiology S-297, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
2002 & 2003    Teaching retreat, University of Arkansas Teaching and Faculty Support Center, Fayetteville, AR.
1997    Intensive apprenticeship in nematode enumeration, identification to genus, and trophic-level classification with Dr. Deborah Neher, Dept. of                     Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH.
1995    Ecosystems Ecology course, Institute of Ecosystems Studies, Millbrook, NY.

CSES Undergraduate Club Advisor, 2002-2003.
        2003:     Posters: 2nd place in Club poster contest, ASA/-SSSA/CSSA annual meeting, Indianapolis, IN.
        2002:     Posters: 2nd place in Club poster contest, ASA/-SSSA/CSSA annual meeting, Denver, CO.
                      Grants: $450 DBCAFLS undergraduate research grant, Project title: Restoration of Bryce-Davis Park Wetland.
       
Faculty advisor for undergraduate student research projects, 2002-2003.
        2002:     Grants:  $300 DBCAFLS undergraduate research grant, Project title: Surveying department alumni and potential employers to evaluate                                       the effectiveness and relevance of the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences curricula. Student advisee: Thalia Madewell.
                      Posters: Madewell, T. M. and M. C. Savin. Surveying potential employers to evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of the Crop, Soil,                                   and Environmental Sciences curricula. Arkansas Environmental Federation annual meeting in Hot Springs, AR, October, 2002.
        2003:       
                      Seminars:

1. Madewell, T. M. and M. C. Savin. Alumni and employer perceptions of the CSES curricula: Survey results.             CSES Department seminar, Fayetteville, AR, February, 2003.
2. Madewell, T. M. and M. C. Savin. Alumni and employer perceptions of the CSES curricula: survey results.             Arkansas Academy of Science annual meeting, Fayetteville, AR, April, 2003.

                    Publications:

1. Discovery  The Student Journal of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences. See             below in Other Publications.
2. Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education.    See below in Peer-reviewed Publications.

        2003:    
                    Fellowships/Grants:  $2650 SILO student undergraduate research fellowship, Project title: Wetland soil microbial 16S rDNA denaturing                                 gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles under invasive species and native grasses. Student advisee: Kimberly Payne.
                    Grants:  $300 DBCAFLS undergraduate research grant, Project title: Wetland soil microbial 16S rDNA denaturing gradient gel                                             electrophoresis (DGGE profiles under invasive species and native grasses. Student advisee: Kimberly Payne.
                    2nd place: Undergraduate student research symposium contest, ASA/-SSSA/CSSA annual meeting. Presenter: Kimberly Payne.

1997-1998    University of Rhode Island Graduate Fellowship (tuition and stipend), University of Rhode Island.
1995, 1998    Graduate Student Travel Award, Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England.         
1995             Chrysalis Scholarship, Association of Women Geoscientists.
1995-1999    Phi Kappa Phi, academic honor society.
1994               Tuition Scholarship, to attend Institute of Ecosystem Studies interim course, Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program.

Cooperative Regional Project S-297
        Biodiversity and microbial community structure in soil and rhizosphere, chair-elect and secretary, 2003 and chair, 2004.
Soil Science Society of America/American Society of Agronomy
American Society for Microbiology
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Gamma Sigma Delta
Ecological Society of America
     Reporter for biogeophysics workshop at ESA annual meeting, 1996
Association of Women Geoscientists, 1995-2000.

 In-service Extension Agent Training, “Introduction to Soil Biology.” Ferndale, AR, 2003.
 Iota Chapter of Sigma Alpha, speaker, 2003.
 University Day, workshop presenter, 2003.
 Arkansas Environmental Career Camp, hands-on soils workshop for high school students, 2003.
 Elementary school workshops, 2002, 2003.
 Science fair judge, 2002, 2003.

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