Curriculum Vitae
Education
2017. Ph.D., Biology, Louisiana State University
2009. M.S., Biology, The University of Alabama
2005. B.S.Ed., Elementary Education, The University of Alabama
Professional Appointments
2024 - present
Computational Biologist Assistant
Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Birmingham, AL.
2023 - 2024
Scientist I
Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Birmingham, AL.
2022 - 2023
Assistant Teaching Professor
Biology Program, University of Southern Mississippi. Hattiesburg, MS.
2017 - 2022
Assistant Professor
Biology Program, University of Louisiana Monroe. Monroe, LA.
2009 - 2011
Junior Research Specialist
Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California - Davis. Davis, CA.
Publications
Newman CE, Austin CC (In Press) Clarification of cryptic species of Plethodon in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, USA. Herpetological Review.
Wright AM, Schwartz RS, Oaks JR, Newman CE, Flanagan SP. (2019). The why, when, and how of computing in biology classrooms. F1000Research, 8, DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20873.1. Open Access
Newman CE, Austin CC (2019) Quantifying amphibian range fragmentation in the southeastern United States. Frontiers of Biogeography, 11, 1-9. DOI: 10.21425/F5FBG37772. Open Access
Newman CE (2017) Survival of salamanders in a severe flood event in Louisiana. Southeastern Naturalist, 16, N19-N23. Download PDF
Newman CE, Gregory TR, Austin CC (2017) The dynamic evolutionary history of genome size in North American woodland salamanders. Genome, 60, 285-292. Download PDF
Krysko KL, Nuñez LP, Newman CE, Bowen BW (2017) Phylogenetics of kingsnakes, Lampropeltis getula complex (Serpentes: Colubridae), in Eastern North America. Journal of Heredity, 108, 226-238. Download PDF
Newman CE, Austin CC (2016) Sequence capture and next-generation sequencing of ultraconserved elements in a large-genome salamander. Molecular Ecology, 25, 6162-6174. Download PDF
Newman CE, Austin CC (2015) Thriving in the cold: glacial expansion and post-glacial contraction of a temperate terrestrial salamander (Plethodon serratus). PLOS One, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130131. Open Access
Feinberg JA, Newman CE, Watkins-Colwell GJ, Schlesinger MD, Zarate B, Curry BR, Shaffer HB, Burger J (2014) Cryptic diversity in Metropolis: confirmation of a new leopard frog species (Anura: Ranidae) from New York City and surrounding Atlantic Coast regions. PLOS One, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108213. Open Access
Carstens BC, Brennan RS, Chua V, Duffie CV, Harvey MG, Koch RA, McMahan CD, Nelson BJ, Newman CE, Satler JD, Seeholzer G, Posbic K, Tank DC, Sullivan J (2013) Model selection as a tool for phylogeographic inference: an example from the willow Salix melanopsis. Molecular Ecology, 22, 4014-4028. Download PDF
Spinks PQ, Thomson RC, Pauly GB, Newman CE, Mount G, Shaffer HB (2013) Misleading phylogenetic inferences based on single-exemplar sampling in the turtle genus Pseudemys. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution, 68, 269-281. Download PDF
Newman CE, Feinberg JA, Rissler LJ, Burger J, Shaffer HB (2012) A new species of leopard frog (Anura: Ranidae) from the urban northeastern US. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution, 63, 445-455. Download PDF
Newman CE, and LJ Rissler (2011) Phylogeographic analyses of the southern leopard frog: the impact of geography and climate on the distribution of genetic lineages vs. subspecies. Molecular Ecology, 20 (24), 5295-5312. Download PDF
Spinks PQ, Thomson RC, Barley AJ, Newman CE, Shaffer HB (2010) Testing avian, squamate, and mammalian nuclear markers for cross amplification in turtles. Conservation Genetics Resources, DOI: 10.1007/s12686-010-98184-7. Download PDF
Publications in Review
Brida KL, Jorgensen ET, Phillips RA, Newman CE, Tuscher JT, Morring EK, Zipperly ME, Ianov L, Montgomery KD, Tippani M, Hyde TM, Maynard KR, Martinowich K, Day JJ (Submitted) Reelin marks cocaine-activated striatal ensembles, promotes neuronal excitability, and regulates cocaine reward. Neuron. Preprint
Invited Seminars
2022. Newman CE. Coastal Plain salamanders: ecology, population genetics, and the impact of citizen science. Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA.
2021. Hersey L, Foy B, Newman CE. From silos to sandboxes: how to enhance cross-disciplinary partnerships. For Our Future Conference. University of Louisiana System, online.
2016. Newman CE. Phylogeography of the salamander Plethodon serratus across four isolated regions of the southeastern US. Emporia State University, Emporia, KS.
Invited Symposia
2019. Newman CE. Teaching computational biology at a regional university using local installs. iEvoBio Conference. Providence, RI.
Conference Presentations
1 Undergraduate mentee presenter
2 Graduate mentee presenter
2024. Mercer M 1, Newman CE, Day JJ. RNA-seq analysis by nf-core and DESeq2 to detect differentially expressed genes in KCl-activated neurons. UAB Summer Expo. Birmingham, AL. Poster
2024. Mercer M 1, Newman CE, Day JJ. RNA-sequencing analysis by nf-core pipeline and DESeq2 to identify differentially expressed genes in KCl-activated neurons from various neuronal tissue types. UAB Spring Expo. Birmingham, AL. Poster
2019. Kirkikis BG 2, Newman CE. Population genetics of salamanders in a geographically isolated highland in northwest Louisiana. Louisiana Herpetology Conference. LUMCON, Chauvin, LA.
2019. Newman CE. Phylogenetics of Coastal Plain Plethodon Salamanders. Evolution. Providence, RI. Poster
2017. Newman CE, Austin CC. Dynamic evolutionary history of genome size in North American woodland salamanders. Society of Systematic Biologists Meeting. Baton Rouge, LA.
2016. Newman CE. Phylogeography of Plethodon serratus (Plus: survivor salamanders). Louisiana Herpetology Conference. LUMCON, Chauvin, LA.
2016. Newman CE, Austin CC. Sequence capture of UCEs for intraspecific phylogenetics and species delimitation of a large-genome salamander, Plethodon serratus. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. New Orleans, LA.
2016. Newman CE, Austin CC. Sequence capture of UCEs for intraspecific phylogenetics and species delimitation of a large-genome salamander. Evolution. Austin, TX.
2014. Newman CE, Austin CC. Phylogeography & conservation of the salamander Plethodon serratus across four isolated regions of the southeastern US. Evolution. Raleigh, NC.
2013. Newman CE, Austin CC. Phylogeography of Plethodon serratus across four isolated regions of the southeastern US. Louisiana Herpetology Conference. LUMCON, Chauvin, LA.
2013. Newman CE, Austin CC. Phylogeography & conservation of the salamander Plethodon serratus across four isolated regions of the southeastern US. Evolution. Snowbird, UT.
2012. Newman CE. A new species of leopard frog (Anura: Ranidae) from the urban northeastern US. First Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
2009. Newman CE, Rissler LJ. Uncovering cryptic diversity: an integrative approach to reconstructing the evolutionary history of Rana sphenocephala. Evolution. Moscow, ID.
2009. Newman CE, Rissler LJ. Integrating genetics, ecological niche modeling, and morphology to reconstruct the evolutionary history of Rana sphenocephala. Association of Southeastern Biologists. Birmingham, AL.
2008. Newman CE, Rissler LJ. An integrative approach to resolving taxonomic controversy and reconstructing the evolutionary history of Rana sphenocephala. The Systematics Association: Young Systematists’ Forum. London, England, UK. Poster
2008. Newman CE, Rissler LJ. Phylogeography and systematics of the southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala). Ecological Society of America. Milwaukee, WI. Poster
2008. Newman CE, Rissler LJ. Phylogeography and systematics of the southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala). The Herpetology Conference. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Grants
2020. Louisiana Board of Regents, One-Year Research Component (1 year; $20,000)
2018. Research Hub Mini-Grant, Univ. Louisiana Monroe ($1,000)
2016. McDaniel Travel Award, Louisiana State University ($500)
2014. Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, National Science Foundation ($19,240)
2008. Graduate Student Research & Travel Support Fund, The University of Alabama (x2: $600, $200)
2007. Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund, American Museum of Natural History ($1,250)
Awards & Honors
2019. Jan & Gary Luffey Endowed Professorship in Life Science, Univ. Louisiana Monroe (3 years)
2009. Ralph Chermock Prize: Outstanding Graduate Student in Systematics & Ecology, Univ. Alabama
Additional Experience & Training
2021 - 2022. CITI Training for Institutional Review Board, ULM and USM.
2014 - 2016. Curatorial Assistant. LSU Museum of Natural Science, Herpetology Collection.
2014. Workshop in Conservation Genomics. La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, UCLA.
2009. Applied Phylogenetics Workshop. Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory, University of California-Davis.
Teaching
2022 - 2023
University of Southern Mississippi. Instructor of record. Undergraduate courses; face-to-face. See Teaching (page) for details.
2017 - 2022
University of Louisiana Monroe. Instructor of record. Undergraduate and graduate courses; face-to-face, hybrid, and online. See Teaching (page) for details.
2011 - 2013
Louisiana State University. Graduate Teaching Assistant
Introductory Biology for Majors (lab), Genetics (problem solving discussion), Herpetology (lab)
2007 - 2009
The University of Alabama. Graduate Teaching Assistant
Human Anatomy & Physiology (lab)
2006
Arcadia Elementary School. Teacher, Fifth Grade. Tuscaloosa, AL
Professional Development in Teaching
2023. ACUE Faculty Development Institute: Effective Teaching Practices. USM.
2020-2021. Open Educational Resources Faculty Learning Community. ULM.
2019. Enabling the next generation of computational biologists. iEvoBio (Providence, RI).
2018. Gulf Coast Summer Institute on Scientific Teaching. Louisiana State University.
Pedagogy Scholarship
Ongoing Project
Assessing UnEssay Creative Projects. ULM, collaboration with Lorelai Patrick (Fort Hays State University) and Jamie Wood (Duke University). Approved by IRB at all institutions.
Mentorship
Undergraduate Research
Melissa Mercer — Science & Technology Honors (2023−)
Arabella Jennings — ULM; Directed Study, Honors Option (2020-2021)
Nautica Jones — ULM; Emerging Scholars (2019)
Benjamin Kirkikis — ULM; Directed Study (2018)
Undergraduate Honors Committees
Melissa Mercer — Science & Technology Honors (2023−)
Postbaccalaureate Scholars
Amanda Harvey — LAGNiAppE (NSF RaMP), co-mentor; advisee of Nick Mason, LSU (2023-2024)
Graduate Committees
Cameron Primeaux, ULM — M.S. thesis committee chair (2021-2022)
Alicia Rollins, ULM — Ed.D. dissertation (graduated 2022)
Abraham Matlak, ULM — M.S. thesis (2020-2022)
Ben Grizzle, ULM — M.S. thesis (graduated 2021)
M.S. Non-Thesis Committees: Nathan Duong (ULM; chair, graduated 2022), Benjamin Kirkikis (ULM; chair; graduated 2020), Seth Franklin (ULM; 2020), Zackary Doolittle (ULM; graduated 2019)
University Service
Departmental & University Service
University of Alabama at Birmingham
2024. Faculty Attendee, Spring Commencement, College of Arts & Sciences
University of Southern Mississippi
2022-2023. Faculty Advisor, academic advising for Biology majors
2022. Faculty Attendee, Winter Commencement
University of Louisiana Monroe
2019. Panel Participant: Active Teaching. Academic Innovation Center
2018-2022. Faculty Advisor, academic advising for Biology majors
2018-2022. Member, Council for Teacher Education
2018-2022. Coordinator of student volunteers, Museum of Natural History Committee
2017-2022. Member, School of Sciences Curriculum Committee
2019-2021. Senator, Faculty Senate
2018-2019. Judge, ULM Student Research Symposium
Faculty & Student Recruitment at ULM
2021-2022. Committee Member, tenure-track faculty search, Biology (Genetics)
2018-2019. Northeast Louisiana College Fair
2018. Browse on the Bayou high school recruiting fair
2017. ULM Majors Fair
Outreach & Education
University of Louisiana Monroe
2018. ULM BioBlitz, Columbia, LA
LSU Museum of Natural Science
2016-2017. Sixth Grade Day, LSU
2016-2017. Special Saturday, LSUMNS
2015-2016. Louisiana Master Naturalists Workshop, LSUMNS
2016. Family STEM Night, Westdale Middle School, Baton Rouge, LA
2015-2016. Conference, LATM and LSTA, Baton Rouge, LA
2015-2016. Fall Fest, LSU
2016. LSU Lab School Tiger Challenge Camp, LSU
2015-2016. Step Outside Day, La. Dpt. of Wildlife & Fisheries, Krotz Springs, LA
2016. Greenwings Conservation Event, Ducks Unlimited, Covington, LA
2015. Geaux Science Welcome Event, LSU
2015. Earth Day, Baton Rouge, LA
The University of Alabama
2007-2009. CAARE: Conservation of Alabama Amphibians & Reptiles through Education
Service to Community
2024. Presenter, Salamander Festival, Friends of Shades Creek, Homewood, AL
2019. Judge, Region 3 Science Fair. ULM, Monroe, LA
2016. Community Service Volunteer, Baton Rouge flood relief. Baton Rouge, LA
2015-2016. Participant, NASA Social. Stennis Space Center, Hancock Co., MS [x3]
Service to Profession
Grant Proposal Reviewer
2024. National Science Foundation, ad hoc reviewer
Journal Manuscripts, Peer Reviewer
2024. Scientific Reports, BMC Ecology & Evolution
2022. Ichthyology & Herpetology/Copeia
2021. Journal of Heredity
2020. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Ecological Applications (2), Ecology & Evolution, Journal of Heredity, Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution (2)
2019. Climatic Change, Ichthyology & Herpetology/Copeia, Ecology & Evolution, Journal of Herpetology
2018. Animal Conservation, Conservation Genetics (2), PeerJ, Scientific Reports (2)
2016. Axios (2), Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Molecular Ecology (2), Systematics & Biodiversity, Wetlands (2)
2015. Genetics & Molecular Biology, Journal of Herpetology, Molecular Ecology (2)
2013. Molecular Ecology
2012. Molecular Ecology
Professional Societies
Society of Systematic Biologists (2009−)
Society for the Study of Amphibians & Reptiles (2023−)
Herpetologists' League (2024−)
Association of Southeastern Biologists (2021-2023)