People

David B. Patterson, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Biology, University of North Georgia

david.patterson@ung.edu

I am interested in the relationship between ecosystem change and mammalian evolution. I use a variety of methods including traditional paleontological analyses, stable isotope geochemistry, and ecometrics. I have active field and laboratory projects focusing on North American and African mammals ranging from the early Pleistocene to the modern.

JessY R. Patterson, M.S.

Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology, University of North Georgia

jrpatterson@ung.edu

I am interested in wildlife ecology and conservation, and I dabble in vertebrate paleoecology and evolution. I have past research projects focused on Snake Fungal Disease, understanding anthropogenic effects on herpetofauna, and groundhog ecology. My interests are in scavenging ecology, conservation biology, species interactions, human-wildlife conflict, and the effects of anthropogenic activities on ecosystem health and wildlife behavior. My current research is based in Namibia, looking at the effects of tourism pressure on African mammal behavior, movement, and spatial ecology, and investigating African carnivore diets to understand how predators may be interacting with livestock and the broader landscape in areas of high human-carnivore conflict.

ANNA CRONAN

Department of Biology, University of North Georgia

aecron3054@ung.edu

I am a senior at UNG. I’ve worked on various research projects as an undergraduate, from scavenging ecology and effects of anthropogenic activities on amphibians here in southern Appalachia, to wetland ecology around the Great Lakes (Michigan), and most recently regenerative farming in the temperate environment of north Georgia and arid environment of Saskatchewan, Canada. My favorite part of research is getting to collaborate with the people it impacts. I am looking forward to continuing research activities for my final year!

Mary dickens

Department of Biology, University of North Georgia

MGDICK0763@ung.edu

I am a senior at UNG. I have been involved in two projects centered on late Pleistocene ecosystem evolution. First, using American alligator isotopes to explore the paleo climatic conditions 60,000 years ago in southeastern North America. Second, I have been working to create an exhaustive database of all mammalian fossils from the late Pleistocene (~100,000 years ago to modern day) East of the Mississippi River. In the coming months, I will use these data to investigate spatiotemporal patterning of mammals during the late Pleistocene with specific focus on extinction patterning across the region. I am also in the process of applying to dental school, so wish me luck!