Congratulations to Tucker Heptinstall & Tayci Sullivan, the 2025 recipients of the Dean E. Metter Award!
Tucker is a Ph.D. candidate working in the lab of Kinsey M. Brock at San Diego State University, California. Tucker’s research is novel– he is examining communities of snakes that inhabit urban environments. Because he is studying snakes in well-established cities (“ancient cities”) he plans on using his data to better understand the influence of urban environments on the evolution of community structure and life history traits. Because of the rampant urbanization occurring worldwide, Tucker suggests his work will be useful to city planners and conservationists as they design cities to preserve local biodiversity and maintain healthy ecosystems.
Tayci is a M.S. student in the lab of Thomas L. Anderson at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. Tayci’s research involves a demographic study of Ringed Salamanders near the northern periphery of their range, which included the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri. Her study will allow for a better understanding of factors, at the local and landscape level, that affect the occurrence and distribution of this species. Her data will contribute to that from studies conducted near the center of the distribution of the species. Thus, she hopes her data will allow for conservation of the species in a area subject to urbanization.
Dean (Doc) Metter was a faculty member in the Department of Zoology at the University of Missouri—Columbia and then the Division of Biological Sciences at that institution for approximately 30 years. A believer in putting knowledge to the test in the field, Doc provided frequent opportunities for students to engage in fieldwork. This award honors Doc’s legacy and dedication to his students. Applications for this award are due annually on December 15. Follow the link to learn more: https://ssarherps.org/ssar-awards/dean-metter-memorial-award/
Dean Metter (right) holding a hellbender salamander from Southern Missouri, USA.