Kat and her first tiger salamander at ONU's Tidd Oakes Farm
I am an Associate Professor of Biology at Ohio Northern University, a primarily undergraduate institution that emphasizes immersive learning experiences in the classroom, the laboratory, and in the field. I am also an Assistant Director of ONU's Nature areas (Metzger Nature Center and the Tidd-Oakes Farm).
My research and teaching spans disciplines of biology, molecular ecology, herpetology, and conservation science. I am also dedicated to grassroots educational outreach and land preservation programs in regions most vulnerable to threats on biodiversity. Please visit my Krynak Lab, research, teaching/outreach, and Las Gralarias Foundation pages for more detailed information.
My research and teaching spans disciplines of biology, molecular ecology, herpetology, and conservation science. I am also dedicated to grassroots educational outreach and land preservation programs in regions most vulnerable to threats on biodiversity. Please visit my Krynak Lab, research, teaching/outreach, and Las Gralarias Foundation pages for more detailed information.
News:
- (2022) Krynak Lab joins the conservation efforts of the Ohio Division of Natural Resources, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and the Columbus Zoo by initiating a captive breeding program for the Plains Garter Snakes (Thamnophis radix) at ONU!
- Paper published! K. Krynak, D. Wessels*, S. Imba, A. Loudon, E. Snyder, T. Krynak, J. Lyons, J. Guayasamin (2020) Call survey indicates rainbow trout farming alters glassfrog community composition in the Andes of Ecuador. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 14(2):1-11 (e234).
- Paper published! K. Krynak, D. Wessels*, S. Imba, A. Loudon, E. Snyder, T. Krynak, J. Lyons, J. Guayasamin (2019) A Preliminary study of the skin-associated bacterial microbiome of Caecilia buckleyi (Amphibia: Caeciliidae). Herpetological Review.
- Congratulations to Michael Monson, Mandy Schook and their team! M. Monson*, P. Dennis, K. Lukas, S. Kyker, K. Krynak, D. Burke, M. Schook (2018) Preliminary implications regarding the effects of increased hay to grain ratio on behavior, metabolism, and fecal microflora diversity in four Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi). Zoo Biology.
- Paper Published! L.M. Young, A. Davis*, B. Kohls*, H. Dyer*, K. Krynak, R. Beaschler, and V. Motz (2018) Clean hands- healthy wrestlers: Effectiveness of hand cleaning in reducing bacterial load during wrestling competitions. Health Sciences Research ISSN: 2375-379X
- Paper Published! K. Krynak, D. Wessels, S. Imba, J. Lyons, J. Guayasamin (2018) Newly discovered bumpy glassfrog (Centrolene heloderma) population, with discussion of threats to population persistence. CheckList: A Journal of Biodiversity Data. doi: 10.15560/14.1.261
- Paper Published! K. Krynak, D. Burke, R. Martin, and P. Dennis (2017). Gut microbiome composition is associated with cardiac disease in zoo-housed western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). FEMS Microbiology Letters. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnx149
- I just returned from my Fulbright adventures in Ecuador! Such an amazing experience!
- Paper In Press! K. Krynak, D. Burke and M. Benard. Rodeo Herbicide Negatively Affects Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs (Acris blanchardi) Survival and Alters the Skin-Associated Bacterial Community. Journal of Herpetology.
- Alexa Wagner (Kent State University) and Alex LaValley's (Grand Valley State University) note on site fidelity in Anolis gemmosus is to be published in Herpetological Review! Alexa and Alex conducted this study during the GVSU Tropical Biology and Conservation Study Abroad course this year at Reserva Las Gralarias. Congratulations on submitting your first manuscript!
