Lizard League
Ohio Wesleyan Students Study Spread of Invasive Reptile in Columbus, Cincinnati
Name: Jasmyn Zimmerman '25
Hometown: Vermilion, Ohio
High School: Vermilion High School
Major: Pre-Professional Zoology
Minor: Women's & Gender Studies
OWU Connection Experience: Summer Science Research Program
Zimmerman and OWU classmates Devon Haley '26 of Granville, Ohio; Brittney Parks '27 of Syracuse, New York; Gabrielle Plunkett '25 of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Tyler Williard '27 of Ravenna, Ohio, spent the summer researching "Success in the Anthropocene: Evolutionary Ecology of the Common Wall Lizard in Ohio."
Our Research
"Our research focuses on the introduced Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) and its adaptation to urban environments, particularly in Ohio, where the (invasive) species was introduced in Cincinnati from Italy in 1951.
"We conducted population surveys in Columbus and Cincinnati, examining various aspects such as lead contamination in lizard blood, changes in gut bacteria, thermoregulatory behavior, and energy use for survival and reproduction. These studies help us understand the spread of invasive species and their adaptation to city life.
"While monitoring these lizards in human-built environments, we also found that they have established smaller populations in forest environments, which is concerning due to the potential threat they pose to native species. This work aims to enhance our understanding of how urban environmental factors affect the survival and adaptation of invasive species like the Common Wall Lizard."
Why This Experience?
"I chose this OWU Connection experience because it allowed me to explore a potential career in research while building valuable relationships with OWU professors, all while staying in state."
My Favorite Moment
"My favorite moment was during one of our field outings in Cincinnati. As we were finishing a lizard survey, it started to pour, so we all piled into the van to complete processing the lizards and gather data like mass and body measurements."
Collaborating with my peers and engaging with scientific literature fostered critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.
Lessons Learned
"Through this research experience, I developed technical skills by working with specialized equipment, learned statistical analyses, and gained a deeper understanding of ecophysiology (the study of the interrelationship between an organism and its environment).
"Collaborating with my peers and engaging with scientific literature fostered critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork. These experiences, combined with the guidance of my mentors, have significantly deepened my knowledge and prepared me for a future career in research."
My Faculty Mentors
"My faculty mentors, Allison Litmer and Eric Gangloff, have been instrumental in shaping my research skills and preparing me for my career goals." (Litmer, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral research scientist, and Gangloff, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Biological Sciences.)
"From them, I have learned how to conduct statistical analyses, from handling raw datasets to generating figures. They have also guided me through conducting capture-mark-recapture and thermal surveys, and I have gained hands-on experience using various specialized equipment, including thermal imaging cameras, bomb calorimeters, operative temperature models, and environmental data collection instruments.
"Under their mentorship, I have learned to measure physical traits of live animals, manage animal husbandry tasks, and perform fecal microbiome sample collections. Additionally, I have developed skills in quantifying digestive traits, calculating energy budgets, and discussing scientific literature. These experiences have not only enhanced my technical abilities but also deepened my understanding of ecological research, which will be invaluable as I pursue my career goals."
My Campus Involvements
"Some extracurriculars I am involved in on campus include Pet Pals, the Biology Board, OWU Rhythms, and Women in Science. In addition to this, I am a student worker at the OWU Zoology Museum."
Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan?
"I decided to attend Ohio Wesleyan because it seemed to have a tight-knit culture, substantial financial aid, and solid biological science programs."
My Plans After Graduation
"My plans after graduation are to enter a career related to my studies or go into a master's program. OWU has helped prepare me to reach these goals by having amazing professors and providing opportunities such as the Summer Science Research Program and Travel-Learning Courses."