EDUCATION
SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY
Ph.D. candidate, Environmental and Forest Biology
Advisor: Dr. Donald J. Leopold
Amherst College, Amherst, MA
Bachelor of Arts, major in biology, May 1998
Graduated Magna cum Laude, with departmental honors
Research and teaching experience
USEPA GRO Graduate Fellow
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C./ SUNY-ESF, NY: 9/06 - continuing
· $87,000 awarded to support graduate research on the ecology and paleohistory of Lake Ontario coastal wetlands
Visiting Instructor
SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY: 1/06 - 5/06
· Developed and taught combined graduate / undergraduate course in Plant Ecology (EFB 455/655)
· Developed accompanying laboratory in collaboration with graduate assistant
Contract Field Botanist
Honeywell International/ SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY: 6/05 - 8/05
· Surveyed and assessed plant community of riparian/old field property for potential conservation value
Graduate Teaching Assistant
SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY: 9/02 -1/06
· Taught laboratory sections or assisted in undergraduate/graduate courses in:
- Freshwater wetland ecosystems (2 semesters)
- Genetics
- Systematic botany
- Marine ecology
- Dendrology
- General botany
Graduate Research Assistant
SUNY-ESF Research Foundation, Syracuse, NY: 1/03 - 8/03
· Obtained and analyzed peat cores for paleoecological investigation of Lake Ontario wetlands
· Assembled macrofossil reference collection and compiled photographic seed manual
· Performed vegetation surveys of Lake Ontario wetlands in support of a multidisciplinary research effort
Assistant Scientist
Altus Biologics, Cambridge, MA: 10/00 - 6/02
· Developed and optimized conditions for crystallization of proteins for pharmaceutical products
Research Assistant
EcoLogic LLC, Cazenovia, NY: 5/00 - 9/00
· Performed field work and data analysis related to habitat and watershed characterization
· Analyzed stream conditions using NRCS stream visual assessment protocol
· Compiled photographic and informational atlas of stream assessment sites
· Performed field sampling and texture analysis of Onondaga Lake sediments for macrophyte study
Crewmember / Habitat Restoration Technician
Washington Conservation Corps, Seattle, WA: 11/98 - 11/99
· Certified Habitat Restoration Technician, Peninsula College, Washington State
· Restored and revegetated riparian areas and streambanks throughout King County, WA
· Utilized traditional surveying and GPS technology to map streams
Research intern (Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Program)
The Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, MA: 6/96 - 8/96
· Conducted field research on estuarine diatom populations as part of a multidisciplinary research team
· Used chlorophyll analysis and in-vivo fluorescence spectrometry to characterize diatom populations
Field Assistant
Stevens County Noxious Weed Board, Colville, WA: 6/94 - 8/94
· Located, identified and mapped invasive plants throughout Stevens County, WA
Grants and HONORS
EPA GRO Graduate Fellowship ($87,000)
· Three-year renewable fellowship to further graduate work in terrestrial ecology, September 2006.
SUNY-ESF Maurice Alexander Wetland Award ($2,150)
· Funds awarded to further proposed wetland ecological research, May 2007.
Society of Wetland Scientists Student Award ($1,000)
· Funds awarded to further proposed wetland ecological research, July 2008.
Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Consortium Grant
· Summer funding for undergraduate research, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, May 1996.
Magna cum laude, Amherst College, Amherst, MA 1998
Departmental Honors, Amherst College, Amherst, MA 1998
Elks academic scholarship, 1994
Wal-Mart academic scholarship, 1994
Publications
Ewald, P.W., J.B. Sussman, M.T. Distler, C. Libel, W.P. Chammas, V.J. Dirita, C.A. Salles, A.C. Vicente, I. Heitmann, and F. Cabello. 1998. “Evolutionary Control of Infectious Disease: Prospects for Vectorborne and Waterborne Pathogens.” Memorias do Oswaldo Cruz. 93(5): 567-76.
Yang, M. X., B. Shenoy, M. Distler, R. Patel, M. McGrath, S. Pechenov, and A. L. Margolin. 2003. Crystalline monoclonal antibodies for subcutaneous delivery. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. 100(12): 6934–6939.
invited presentations
Distler, M. T. and D. J. Leopold. Assessing the role of eutrophication in the spread of Typha x glauca in eastern Lake Ontario wetlands: paleoecological and experimental approaches. Oral presentation for 30th annual Society of Wetland Scientists meeting. Typha symposium. (to be presented) Madison, WI, June 23, 2009.
Distler, M. T. Lake Ontario fens: ecology, paleohistory, and conservation of critical habitat. Presentation for New York State Department of Conservation and The Nature Conservancy biologists concerned with bog buckmoth conservation. Syracuse, NY, March 17, 2009.
Distler, M. T. Controls on wetland biogeochemistry: the role of an ecosystem engineer. Guest lecture for biogeochemistry and hydrology Seminar of Dr. Myron Mitchell, SUNY-ESF. Syracuse, NY, March 12, 2009.
Additional presentations
Distler, M. T. and D. J. Leopold. Recent Typha (cattail) encroachment and dominance in long-term stable Lake Ontario fen communities. Oral
presentation for 93rd annual Ecological Society of America meeting. Milwaukee, WI, Aug 6, 2008.
Distler, M. T. and D. J. Leopold. Recent Typha (cattail) encroachment and dominance in long-term stable Lake Ontario fen communities. Oral
presentation for 29th annual Society of Wetland Scientists meeting. Washington, D.C., May 29, 2008.
Distler, M. T. and D. J. Leopold. Patterns and processes of change in Lake Ontario wetlands: a long term perspective. Poster presented at 2006 EPA Graduate Fellowship Conference. Washington, D.C., September 25-27, 2006.
Distler, M. T., K. L. Hajek, and S. H. Reynolds. Native Wetland Plants. Field identification workshop and field trip, Northeast Symposium on Native Plant Education, Conservation, and Gardening. Mexico, NY, June 27, 2006.
Distler, M. T. and D. J. Leopold. Development and Maintenance of Diversity in Lake Ontario Coastal Wetlands. Poster presented at Northeast Natural History Conference. Albany NY, April 20, 2006.
Distler, M. T. and D. J. Leopold. Development and Maintenance of Diversity in Lake Ontario Coastal Wetlands. Poster presented at Spotlight on Student Research, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Syracuse, NY, April 19, 2006.
Reynolds, S. H., M. T. Distler, J. J. Gillrich, K. L. Hajek, and D. J. Leopold. Controlling Factors of Plant Diversity Across Multiple Spatial Scales in Fens of New York State. Poster presented at 36th Binghamton Geomorphic Symposium. University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, October 7-9, 2005.
Distler, M. T. and D. J. Leopold. Development of Lake Ontario Fens: the Role of Disturbance in Typha and Forest Encroachment. Poster presented at Spotlight on Student Research. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, April 12, 2005.
Distler, M., J. E. Hughes, L. A. Deegan, B. J. Peterson, and R. M. Holmes. 15N enrichment of phytoplankton in the oligohaline zone of the Plum Island Sound Estuary. Poster on display at Estuarine Research Federation National Meeting. Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI, October 12-16, 1996.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
· Ecological Society of America
· Society of Wetland Scientists
· Society for Restoration Ecology
· New York Flora Association
SERVICE and certifications
· Undergraduate independent project co-supervisor, September 2008 - May 2009 (Student: Kelly Klinger)
· Undergraduate independent project supervisor, January - May, 2006 (Student: Aaron Marcus)
· Advisory Panel member for Syracuse Morningside Trail development, 2009
· Fact sheet development for Eastern Lake Ontario Traveling Trunk educational materials, 2007 - 2009
· Search Committee graduate student representative SUNY-ESF, 2006-2007
· Field Trip leader, Oswego BOCES environmental science course, Deer Creek Marsh, October 5, 2006
· Field trip leader, Northeast Symposium on Native Plant Education, Conservation, and Gardening. Mexico, NY, June 27, 2006
· Panel member for Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology discussion, March, 2006
· Interpretive nature walk volunteer, Clark State Reservation, May, 2003
· Certified Habitat Restoration Technician, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, Washington State, April 2000
· Student Conservation Association day of work, Volunteer Team Leader, June, 1999