Dr. Kathy Winnett-Murray
Retired Faculty
Dr. Kathy Winnett-Murray began teaching biology, zoology and ecology at 换妻社区 in 1986. Dr. Winnett-Murray has had a continuing role in introductory biology courses for biology majors and non-majors, and her favorite courses to teach are those that use local habitats as living laboratories. Her research focuses on responses of animals (most often birds) to environmental changes brought about by human alteration of habitats. Dr. Winnett-Murray鈥檚 field 鈥渓aboratories鈥� are located in and around Holland, Michigan, and also in distant places such as Costa Rica. She has also enjoyed collaborating with K鈥�12 teachers and their students on research projects and in programs that introduce students to the excitement of learning ecological science.
AREAS OF Expertise
Dr. Winnett-Murray鈥檚 areas of expertise include the science of ecology, animal behavior and evolutionary and general biology. While a Ph.D. candidate, she participated in the Organization for Tropical Studies field course in ecology for graduate students in 1980, her first introduction to tropical ecology.
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., zoology, 1986, University of Florida, Gainesville
- M.S., biology, 1979, California State University, Northridge
- B.S., biological sciences, 1976, University of California, Irvine
Selected HONORS and AWARDS
- Janet L. Andersen Provost鈥檚 Excellence in Teaching Award, 换妻社区, 2006
- Sigma Xi 换妻社区 Chapter Research Award, (with K.G. Murray), 2001
- Michigan College Science Teacher of the Year Award, 1997-98, Michigan Science Teacher鈥檚 Association
- Marcia Brady Tucker Travel Award, 1985. American Ornithologists鈥� Union
- Frank M. Chapman Memorial Award, American Museum of Natural History, 1982-83: 鈥淏ehavioral Ecology of Four Neotropical Wrens鈥�
Recent Grants
- National Science Foundation 鈥� Division of Biological Infrastructure, 2005鈥�2007
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources 鈥� Natural Heritage Program, 2002
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources 鈥� Natural Heritage Program, 2000
- National Science Foundation 鈥� Division of Undergraduate Education, 1998-2000
- 换妻社区 Faculty Development Grant, 2000
recently PUBLISHED WORK
- 鈥淎uthentic assessment using biology laboratory practicals,鈥� Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, 34, Proceedings of the 34th Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 2013
- 鈥淓xploring animal photoreceptors and eyes,鈥� Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, 32, Proceedings of the 32nd Workshop/Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 2011
- 鈥淏ioOptics Corporation: An Investigative Interdisciplinary Case Study on the Eye,鈥� Tested Studies For Laboratory Teaching, Volume 30, Proceedings of the 30th Workshop/Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 2009
- 鈥淓nriching a culture of research: expanding opportunities to a broader community,鈥� Broadening Participation in Undergraduate Research: Fostering Excellence and Enhancing the Impact, Council on Undergraduate Research, Washington, D.C., 2009
- 鈥淭he roles of disperser behavior and physical habitat structure in regeneration of post-agricultural fields,鈥� Post-agricultural succession in the Neotropics, Springer, 2008
- 鈥淚nvestigating the consequences of an invasive species to the ecological integrity of the community,鈥� Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching, 28, Proceedings of the 26th Workshop/Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE), 2007
- 鈥淩esurrecting the Lab Practical,鈥� Beyond Tests and Quizzes: Creative Assessments in College Classrooms, Anker Publishing, Joseey-Bass, 2007
Outside the College
Much of Dr. Winnett-Murray鈥檚 time spent outside of the college relates to her interest in ecology. She has been involved with several K鈥�12 school initiatives for teaching ecological science. Dr. Winnett-Murray participates in professional organizations such as the Ecological Society of America and the Association of Biology Laboratory Education to assist in the dissemination of outstanding ecological 鈥渓abs鈥� and learning experiences to the world.
She is a participant in the Ecological Research in Education Network, and she tries to creatively invent ways to get to new outdoor laboratories through teaching May Terms with Hope students. Even when she is not at work, Kathy is often observing birds, walking through the woods or planning a trip somewhere biologically diverse.
View all of Dr. Kathy Winnett-Murray鈥檚 published work in .