A native of north Texas,
I trained in professional ballet before majoring in biology at
Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. I remained at Old
Dominion to study the ecology of the Eastern Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomyshumulis) for my masters degree under the direction of
Bob Rose. I received my PhD with Steve Vessey at Bowling Green
State University for work on the ecology and behavior of shrews
(Sorex and Blarina). After starting a family, working
as a postdoc for Ellen Ketterson at Indiana University, and teaching
at Ball State University, I finally fled the midwest and arrived
at Georgia Southern in 1995. I teach general biology and environmental
biology, and I am active in outreach to the public schools through
programs like SMOC (Science and Math in the Outdoor Classroom)and
teaching at the local Charter School. Click here
to see some recent photos of my family.
Teaching
I teach general biology
and environmental biology for nonmajors. You can access the web
resources for these courses by going to WebCT (you will need an access code
and password). I also teach Evolution and Ecology labs each year.
Research
My primary research interest
is the ecology and behavior of small mammals, especially cryptic
species whose biology is often overlooked or species that are
difficult to study. I have pursued this interest primarily with
shrews and small rodents such as the Eastern Harvest Mouse. As
a postdoc, I also worked on the behavioral and physiological
ecology of birds. Finally, I have a strong interest in biology
education and have directed a number of grants on science education
and teacher training.
Publications
Cawthorn, J.M.,
D. Morris, E.D. Ketterson, and V. Nolan, Jr. 1998. Influence
of experimentally elevated testosterone on nest defence in male
dark-eyed juncos. Animal Behaviour 56(3):617621.
Chandler, C.R., J.M. Cawthorn,
and G.M. Turano. 1997. Breeding by Horned Larks on the lower
coastal plain of Georgia. Oriole 62(1,2):13.
Klukowski, L.A., J.M. Cawthorn,
E.D. Ketterson, and V. Nolan, Jr. 1997. Effects of experimentally
elevated testosterone on plasma corticosteroid binding globulin
in Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis). General and Comparative Endocrinology 108(1):141151.
Cushing, B.S., and J.M. Cawthorn.
1996. Species differences in activity patterns during oestrus.
Canadian Journal of Zoology 74(3):473479.
Ketterson, E.D., V. Nolan, Jr., J.M.
Cawthorn, P.G. Parker, and C. Ziegenfus. 1996. Phenotypic
engineering: using hormones to explore the mechanistic and functional
bases of phenotypic variation in nature. Ibis 138:7086.
Cawthorn, J.M.
1994. A live-trapping investigation of the population biology
of two syntopic species of Sorex. Pp. 3943 in
Biology of the Soricidae (J.F. Merritt, G.L. Kirkland Jr., and
R.K. Rose, eds.). Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Special
Publication No. 18.
Chandler, C.R., M.S. Woodrey, and J.M.
Cawthorn. 1994. Breeding by the Black-and-White Warbler (Mniotiltavaria) in southern Mississippi. Mississippi Kite 24(1):24.
Ketterson, E.D., V. Nolan Jr., C. Ziegenfus,
D.P. Cullen, J.M. Cawthorn, and L. Wolf. 1991. Non-breeding
season attributes of male Dark-eyed Juncos that acquired breeding
territories in their first year. Pp. 12291239 in
Acta XX Congressus Internationalis Ornithologici (Bell B.D.,
ed.). Christchurch, New Zealand.
Cawthorn, J. M.
and R. K. Rose. 1989. The population ecology of the eastern harvest
mouse (Reithrodontomyshumulis) in southeastern
Virginia. American Midland Naturalist 122(1):110.
