Anna George

Ph.D. candidate

Contact Information:
Phone: (314) 977-3935
Fax: (314) 977-3658
E-mail: georgeal@slu.edu
Mail: Department of Biology
St. Louis University
3507 Laclede Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63103-2010

B.A., University of Virginia, 2000

Research Interests: I am interested in the evolution and conservation of North American freshwater fishes. For my dissertation, I am studying the logperch, a charismatic group of darters that are widely distributed throughout eastern North America. Three of these fishes are endangered, and unrecognized diversity within the group may also be in jeopardy. I am using molecular and morphological data to identify species, compare biogeographic patterns, and identify species in greatest need of conservation.

Teaching Experience: I was a graduate teaching assistant for Ichthyology and an undergraduate teaching assistant for Invertebrate Zoology. In addition, I mentor undergraduates in our lab.

Outreach: I work in the education department of the St. Louis Zoo with scout groups and school groups. Our overnight programs teach the kids about conservation, nocturnal animals, and weather adaptations.

Presentations:

George, A. L. Conservation genetics of the imperiled logperches Percina burtoni, Percina jenkinsi, and Percina rex (Teleostei: Percidae). Society for Conservation Biology, Duluth, Minnesota, 2003.

George, A. L., G. K. Sage, R. L. Mayden, B. R. Kuhajda, D. A. Hendrickson, H. Espinosa, L. Findley, J. Tomelleri, J. L. Nielsen, F. García de León, G. Ruiz Campos, F. Camarena. Genetic Diversity in Native and Introduced Mexican Trout Species. American Fisheries Society, Western Division, San Diego, California, 2003.

George, A. L. Systematics and the Convention on Biological Diversity: Are We Conserving Species? Conservation Forum, St. Louis, Missouri, 2002.

George, A. L. An omission in Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity: Why species concepts are critical for global conservation efforts. 7th International Wildlife Law Conference, Washington, D.C., 2002.

George, A. L., D. A. Neely and R. L. Mayden. Morphological variation in the northern logperch, Percina caprodes semifasciata. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Kansas City, Missouri, 2002.

George, A. L., and R. L. Mayden. Contested language in the Endangered Species Act: The importance of species concepts. Association of Southeastern Biologists, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2001.

Grants, Honors, and Awards:

USDA Forest Service, Conservation Genetics of Four Imperiled Fishes of the Southeast, $24,000.

Society for Conservation Biology Travel Award.
Department of Biology Travel Award, Saint Louis University, $500.
Brennan Fellowship for Exam Study, Saint Louis University, $500.
Department of Biology Travel Award, Saint Louis University, $350.
Excellence Award, School of Law, Saint Louis University.
Raney Award, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, $1,000.
Graduate Council Fellow, University of Alabama, $11,000 plus tuition.
NSF IGERT Fellow, University of Alabama, $50,000 plus tuition.
University of Alabama Alumni Graduate Scholarship, $1,000.
Department of Biological Sciences Travel Award, University of Alabama, $300.
Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society.

Fish illustrations by Joseph R. Tomelleri and used with permission.