Laura Cisneros
Doctoral Student
Office: Bldg 4 Annex Rm. 187
Voice: (860) 486-1772
Fax: (860) 486-6364
E-mail: laura.cisneros@uconn.edu
Mailing address:
Laura Cisneros
The University of Connecticut
75 N. Eagleville Road, Unit 3043
Storrs, CT 06269-3043, U.S.A.
Research Interests
Community Ecology; Metacommunity Theory; Animal-Plant Interactions; Anthropogenic Disturbance; Succession; Neotropical Bats
My research interests are motivated by the impacts of anthropogenic land use on communities of plants and animals, and on ecosystem function. In addition, my interests are driven by a desire to inform conservation in human-dominated landscapes. Consequently, my dissertation research will explore the large-scale spatial organization (metacommunity structure) of Neotropical bats within a landscape comprising agricultural fields and regenerating forests of different ages, and will evaluate the environmental characteristics that underlie these spatial patterns. I also hope to extend my research to investigate the effectiveness of ecosystem services provided by bats (e.g., seed dispersal) within human-dominated landscapes.
Education
Bachelor of Science. 2006. Michigan State University. Zoology major with Honors, Concentration in Zoo and Aquarium Science.
Doctor of Philosophy. In Progress. University of Connecticut. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Dr. Michael R. Willig, Advisor.
Teaching Experience
Fall 2007 BIOL 102; Introduction to Biology
Home page:
http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/people/willig/student_pages/Laura_homepage.html