Kallie Murry

I maintain and steward around 300 acres of the University's protected wildlife property by trail up-keep; accommodating the public hikers/fishermen; aiding in bi-annual prescribed burns; hosting primary school outreach programs, field trips, and summer camps; organizing and executing multiple yearly campus events/fundraisers; caring for the numerous reptiles, amphibians, and cattle on the property; and working alongside USFW in our Dusky Gopher Frog Head-start program.

I am facilitating research on alligator snapping turtle population genetics, where I am contributing to the understanding of species dynamics. I am delivering consistent care for turtle hatchlings, ensuring optimal growth through regular feeding and tank cleaning. I gather and analyze monthly morphological data to support our research findings and future genetic work.

I cultivate an inclusive environment through our group classes, promoting motivation and engagement among athletes of all ages.

I assisted a graduate student in completing herpetofaunal diversity project at Stennis Naval Base at the West Maneuver Area. I collected and analyzed data on reptiles and amphibians using automated drift fences and game cameras across eight locations. I also developed exposure to analytical skills in statistical techniques such as Tukey's HSD test and ANOVA, using R for data interpretation.

I completed the following research activities in association with Telling the Story of the Forest Field Day: Ecological Field Identification, Dendrochronology and Tree Coring Science, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Remote Environmental Monitoring Stations.

I collaborated with a graduate student on a comprehensive systematic research project focused on violets (Viola). I developed proficiency in identifying both prominent and subtle morphological traits across species, executed chloroplast DNA extraction from live specimens, managed centrifuge operations, ran PCR tests and analyzed resulting data, facilitated jar test trials for soil analysis and interpreted electrophoresis gel results.

I assisted in writing and summarizing company articles and helped with the building of a new website for the company.