Vicki Medland

Dr. Medland works cooperatively with the Director to ensure that the center is achieving its mission of education and research. She works closely with staff and partners involved in various outreach projects including the web and social networking sites, K-12 and citizen science programs. Vicki leads the Panama research course with her husband Mike Draney in alternate years and teaches courses in environmental science. She is active with the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation and the Ridges Sanctuary where she serves on the board of directors. She is also the coordinator for the NAS Heirloom Plant sale.

Like so many kids, her dream of becoming a marine biologist was stymied by a midwestern life-style. Fortunately, guided by a dedicated professor at UW Madison, she eventually became an evolutionary biologist who focused on studying the life history and behavior of organisms living complex life-cycles in temporary pools. At home she dabbles in gardening, cuisine, writing, and scientific illustration.

Emphases or Area of Research

Aquatic ecology, animal behavior, evolution of dormancy, evolution of mating systems. Current research: mating behavior of Eulimnadia texana, an androdioecious shrimp.

Education

B.S. (1984) University of Wisconsin-Madison; M.S. (1989) New Mexico State; Ph.D. (1997) University of Georgia