Profile
Educational Background
Ph.D., Applied Ecology, University of Nebraska
M.S., Applied Ecology, University of Nebraska
M.S., Animal behavior and evolution, University of Antwerp - Belgium
B.S., Biology, University of Antwerp - Belgium
Research Interests
Behavioral ecology, population ecology, and habitat assessment with emphasis on evolutionary adaptations and conservation efforts. Focus on insect extremophiles and implications for climate change. Scientific communication geared towards the general public.
Courses Taught
BIOL4490/4491 - Field Ecology (Costa Rica)
BIOL8410 - Understanding Ecology and Ecosystems
BIOL4410/6410 - Ecology
BIOL4710/4711 - Behavioral Ecology Laboratory
BIOL1100 - Principles of Biology I
BIOL1110 - Principles of Biology II
Selected Publications
Willemssens KA, Bowley JL, Cavallini L, Oberg E, Peterson RKD, Higley LG. Habitat Characteristics, Distribution, and Abundance of Cicindelidia haemorrhagica (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in Yellowstone National Park. Insects. 2024; 15(1):15. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010015
Gotschall, M.M., Bowley, J.L., Higley, L.G., Willemssens, K.A., Adams, B., Winton, R., and Peterson, R.K.D. (2021). County records of Cicindelidia punctulata olivier (Coleoptera: Carabidea) in Idaho, USA. The Coleopterists Bulletin, 75(4): 812-814.
Bowley, J.L., Willemssens, K.A., and Higley, L.G. (2020). Natural History Notes: Extreme Habitat Use of Thamnopis elegans. Herpetological Review: 51(2), 360-361.
Selected Talks
Science Slam Contest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBG0nzLoUBQ
Elevator Speech Contest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gXHuK05G-Y
North Central Branch Annual Meeting of Entomological Society of America. A 3-minute presentation: “How can life adapt to global warming and pollution? The answer may lie in the thermal springs of Yellowstone National Park.”
Honors and Awards
Teaching Assistant Holling Family Award - 2019
Meritorious Graduate Student - 2019
3-minute presentation winner - Entomological Society of America - 2019
Milton E. Mohr Fellowship - 2018
Science Slam Winner - 2018
Elevator Speech Contest - Ph.D. First Prize - 2016
