EDUCATION
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, May 2008
Department of Ecology
Duke University, Durham, NC GPA: 3.96/4.0
Dissertation: Multi-scale snake species-habitat relationships & conservation.
Concentration: Conservation biology emphasizing landscape ecology.
Selected Honors: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow 2005-2008
Special Programs: Preparing Future Faculty Program 2007-2008.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, August 1999-May 2002
University of Illinois, Urbana, IL GPA: 3.997/4.0, summa cum laude
Major: Environmental science and natural resources.
Special Programs: Environmental Fellows Program; Campus Honors Program.
Selected Honors: Jonathon Baldwin Turner Scholar, 1999-2002; James Scholar, 1999-2002; Morris K. Udall Scholarship recipient, 2001.
Tropical Herpetology Course, La Suerte, Costa Rica & Ometepe, Nicaragua (2001)
Spanish Language and Culture, Colegio de Espana in Salamanca, Spain (1997)
Nature Camp Educator, Piedmont Wildlife Center, Durham, NC
Developed and coordinated daily environmental activities with children, ages 4 to 12. Engaged students in place-based learning, guided nature hikes, nature crafts and field trips. Taught basic animal handling and care. 2008
Principal Investigator, Duke University, Durham, NC
Devised and implemented a pilot study and multi-annual research strategy to study the abundance and habitat relationships of snake species in the American Midwest.
Field Experience: Quantified vegetation and microhabitat structure. Captured, measured snout-to-vent lengths, scale-clipped and sexed snakes. Designed, constructed, and installed small animal traps and drift-fences.
Data Analysis: Developed and measured habitat metrics using GIS (ArcMap & ERDAS Imagine). Performed multivariate statistical analysis (programs R, S-Plus, SAS, & PC-ORD) and modeled species distributions using structural equations, maximum entropy models, zero-inflated poisson and logistic regressions.
Communication: Developed strong oral and written skills by presenting research to scientists, managers, and community organizations and writing research articles, technical reports, and general articles for local communities. 2003-2008
Teaching Assistant, Duke University, Durham, NC
Provided technical writing assistance. Developed seminar and lab materials. Presented lectures, led seminars and laboratory exercises. Reviewed and edited policy memos, research proposals, and laboratory write-ups. 2003-2008
Classes: Principles of Biology, Animal Physiology, Environmental Science and Policy, Ecosystem Management, Landscape Ecology and Multivariate Statistics.
After-school Tutor , The Lerner School, Durham, NC
Tutored grade school children in the natural sciences, mathematics, and writing. Engaged pre-school to 12 year old students in hands-on learning activities, and supervised outdoor and indoor play. 2006-2008
Certified Environmental Educator, NC Environmental Education Program
Designed and coordinated logistics for a bridge-building project. Directed and recruited volunteers. Engaged in 70+ hours of educator workshops and 50+ hours of structured outdoor environmental education experiences. Taught environmental science to students from age 6 to adults in formal and informal settings. 2004-2007
Biology and English Teacher, United Planet, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Taught biology and English in challenging conditions to at-risk students, ages 4-35. Developed grade-school biology curriculum. Promoted cross-cultural dialog. 2006
Forest Succession and Soils Researcher, Duke University, Durham, NC
Identified and measured trees. Developed a litter bag decomposition experiment. Sampled and compared data using GIS. Constructed and installed soil gas wells and lysimeters. Operated mass spectrophotometer and microbalance. 2003-2005
Environmental Educator/Water Quality Monitor, AmeriCorps, Knoxville, TN
Taught high school and middle school environmental science. Devised lesson plans, lectures, and hands-on activities. Planned and implemented creek clean-ups with students. Monitored local stream bacteria, chemistry, and fauna with classes. Presented finding to the Stock Creek Watershed Association with students. Received training in citizenship, human diversity, and defensive driving. 2002-2003.
Researcher, University of Illinois – Urbana
Lichen Project: Motivated and coordinated an investigation of the effects of pollution on lichen morphology in northern Indiana. Collected lichen samples, created lichen microslides, operated spectrophotometer and digital microscope camera 2001-2002
Tropical Herpetology: Independently researched tree frog pigmentation in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Assisted in boa constrictor tracking study recorded by National Geographic (two Reptile Wild episodes). Provided Spanish/English translation. 2001
Rare Prairie Flora: Developed germination research on a rare prairie forb, Silene regia. Initiated root growth research using root bags. Scarified seeds, recorded germination and growth chamber conditions, and published an article on this research. 2000-2001
Caddisflies and Water Quality: Collected and biometrically evaluated macroinvertebrates. Instigated, funded, and published water chemistry research. 1999-2001
Naturalist/Environmental Educator, The Grove, Glenview, IL
Trained and supervised 10+ volunteers. Developed outdoor education programs for children and adults. Taught pond studies, entomology, and natural history. Collected seeds and removed invasive species. Handled raptors. Provided advanced husbandry for 50+ reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. 1996-2000
Restoration Ecology Assistant, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
Mastered prairie restoration techniques including mowing, pulling, dead-heading, and herbicide treatment. Operated small equipment. Collected and cleaned seeds, planted native species, and cared for nursery seedlings. Completed plant suveys and identified 100+ species of native and alien flora. Produced snake reintroduction plan and wrote internal reports. Directed and supervised volunteers in the field. 2000
Invited Guest Lecturer and Mentor, NC School of Science and Math, Durham, NC
Presented research results and expounded on career paths in the sciences. Mentored students in short-term ecology research projects. 2007-2008
Sea Turtle Rehabilitator Volunteer, Hidden Harbor Hospital, Marathon, FL
Assisted veterinarian in sea-turtle surgeries. Provided basic husbandry to sea turtles. Cared for stranded pilot whales. 2003
Co-author of Campus Sustainability Report , University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Outlined strategies for campus sustainability and documented green efforts at the University of Illinois. 2001-2002
Co-founder of North Korean Children’s Fund , University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Recruited, motivated, and coordinated students to raise funds and awareness of the plight of North Korean children. 2000-2001
Animal Care Volunteer, Anita Purves Nature Center, Urbana, IL
Oriented visitors. Educated children about Illinois fauna. Provided basic husbandry for reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. 1999-2001
Duke University Conference Travel Fellowship ($500) 2007
Nicholas School of the Environment Travel Funds ($300) 2007
NASA-MSU Professional Enhancement Award ($500) 2007
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship ($90,000) 2005 – 2008
Prairie Biotic, Inc. Prairie Research Grant ($1000) 2004
Illinois Environmental Council Student Undergraduate Research Experience Grant ($2000) 2001
University of Illinois Campus Honors Program Travel Grant ($1000) 2001
University of Illinois College of ACES Travel Grant ($800) 2001
ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS AND HONORS
PROFESSIONAL ENRICHMENT & SOCIETIES
ADDITIONAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
PRESENTATIONS & INVITED LECTURES
Cagle, N. L. A Multi-scale Analysis of Snake Species-Habitat Relationships in the Tallgrass Prairie. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, St. Louis, Missouri. July 2007.
Cagle, N. L. Where have all the snakes gone? A landscape-level analysis of snake species distributions in the tallgrass prairie, Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. May 2007.
Cagle, N. L. Habitat classification and conservation practice: matching ecological and statistical models. NASA-MSU Symposium at the U.S. Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology, Tuscon, Arizona. April 2007.
Cagle, N. L. The future of prairie snakes: diversity and survival. University of St. Francis, 1 st Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Symposium: 10 years of progress in restoration and research at Midewin, Joliet, Illinois. August 24, 2006.
Cagle, N. L. Snakes of North Carolina. Duke University, Duke Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning, Topics in Environmental Sciences, Durham, North Carolina. February 2006.
Cagle, N. L. Gardening with native plants: the importance of native plants in urban landscapes. Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment Environmental Workshop, Durham, North Carolina. April 11, 2005.
Cagle, N. L. Snakes: History, Attitudes, and Conservation. Boy Scout Troop 412, Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church, Durham, North Carolina. March 14, 2005.
Cagle, N. L. and South Doyle High School students. Results of stream chemistry and macroinvertebrate inventory for Stock Creek. Stock Creek Watershed town meeting, Knoxville, Tennessee. April 8, 2003.
Flocca, N. L. (maiden name) and R. E. DeWalt. Caddisfly diversity, abundance, and larval growth in Split Rock Brook of Pecumsaugan Creek and Blackball Mine State Nature. University of Illinois, Environmental Horizons Conference, Urbana, Illinois. April 1 and 2, 2002.
Cagle, N. L. 2006. Where have all the snakes gone? Goose Lake Prairie Partner’s Own Newsletter. April 2006.
Cagle, N. L. 2005. Snakes alive! Goose Lake Prairie Partner’s Own Newsletter. October 2005.
Flocca, N. L., Coons, J. M., Owen, H. R., Fischer, B. J., and Edgin, B. E. 2004. Germination of Silene regia and Saponaria officinalis following stratification or scarification. Erigenia. 20: 8 – 14.
R. E. DeWalt and Flocca, N. L. 2000. Caddisfly diversity, abundance, and larval growth in Split Rock Brook of Pecumsaugan Creek and Blackball Mine State Nature. Illinois Natural History Survey Technical Report.
SUBMITTED & IN-PROGRESS PUBLICATIONS
Cagle, N. L. and N. L. Christensen. Evaluating the conservation status of Illinois snakes.
Cagle, N. L. Patterns of microhabitat occupancy among snakes of the North American tallgrass prairie.
Cagle, N. L. and D. L. Urban. A multi-scale analysis of snakes species composition and abundances from the Grand Prairie, Illinois, USA. (in review at Landscape Ecology)