Theses & Dissertations
This collection contains theses and dissertations by graduate students in the Department of Biology at the University of Northern Iowa.
To search all Theses and Dissertations @ UNI, click here.
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Theses/Dissertations from 2023
Characterizing Genetic Diversity and Testing for Fisheries Induced Evolution in Southeastern Kansas Populations of Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), Morganne C. Borsh Open Access Thesis
Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration through Grassland Restoration of Former Row Crop Fields at Irvine Prairie, Joshua Joel Mixdorf Open Access Thesis
Assessment of Conservation Reserve Program Enhancements at Contract Renewal: Impact on Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Habitat, Tristan L. Murphy Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2022
Quantifying genomic diversity and growth in Iowa bluegill, Jeremy Raymond Abels Open Access Thesis
Changes in the barley stem proteome in response to drought during grain filling, Mohammed Al Slamh Open Access Thesis
Association between habitat and the genetic diversity of the brown-belted bumblebee (Bombus griseocollis) in the agricultural landscape across northeast Iowa, Clarissa Elizabeth Bruns Open Access Thesis
Understanding morphological responses of Typha (cattail) species to nutrient pollution, Anna Marie Shapiro Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2021
Seed mix design, planting time, and first-year mowing management to improve multifunctionality and cost-effectiveness of tallgrass prairie reconstructions, Alec James Glidden Open Access Thesis
Arthropod fauna of Plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) burrow systems, Brett Lyle Gourley Open Access Thesis
Community diversity influences selection on nutrient resorption in Panicum virgatum, Michael J. Lashbrook Open Access Thesis
Influence of landscape on the population genetics of the rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) in glaciated and unglaciated environments, Jonathan Michael Luiken Thesis (UNI Access Only)
24andmore: Using genome-wide SNPS to investigate the genetic diversity of Iowa walleye (Sander vitreous) broodstock, Rachel Ann McDonnell Open Access Thesis
The systematics of Physaria sensu stricto from Wyoming and surrounding areas, Jason Ratcliff Open Access Thesis
Virus induced gene silencing of Fusarium verticillioides pathogenicity genes in maize, Jennifer M. Redfern Thesis (UNI Access Only)
Theses/Dissertations from 2020
Productivity and community composition change in prairie biomass feedstocks, Kathleen Loretta Madsen Open Access Thesis
Carbon sequestration and weedy invasion in CRP fields, Destiny Danielle Magee Open Access Thesis
Levels of cyclin B in THP-1 cells incubated in hibernating and non-hibernating bullfrog plasma, Lithobates catesbeianus, Tharuka D. Pathmaperuma Open Access Thesis
Evaluation of the csr1-2 allele from Arabidopsis thaliana CS3102 as an imazapyr herbicide resistance marker for biolistic transformation of the shoot apical meristem, Amanda J. Stump Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2019
The effect of cold stratification and perigynia removal on the germination of three prairie carex species, Christina M. Boeck Crew Open Access Thesis
Morphological and morphometric analysis of Nekemias arborea and Ampelopsis aconitifolia (Vitaceae), Sally Rose Gray Open Access Thesis
Analysis of a fragmented mitochondrial genome in a chewing louse, Geomydoecus aurei, Alexandra Cleone Place Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2018
The effects of mycorrhizal inoculant and micronutrients on early plant establshment during a tallgrass prairie reconstruction, Christopher L. Barber Open Access Thesis
Blood coagulation properties in hibernating and non-hibernating American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), Stephen Cain Open Access Thesis
The effects of nutrient resorption, photosynthetic rate, and leaf longevity on the success of Typha × glauca, Clarissa Marie Ruiz Open Access Thesis 2019 Award
Reconstructing the phylogeny and characterizing the patterns of molecular evolution of the tetraploid freshwater suckers (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae), Zachary Evan Sperstad Open Access Thesis 2019 Award
Conservation genetics and habitat associations of Rhinichthys cataractae, a fish of conservation need in Iowa, Anna Constance Wieman Thesis (UNI Access Only)
Theses/Dissertations from 2017
Valproic acid: A neural outgrowth model for the autism spectrum disorder, Hannah M. Bergan Open Access Thesis
Differential gene expression analysis of metolachlor treated human liver cells by microarray, Navinder Paul Kaur Brar Open Access Thesis
Leishmania infantum infection at the cellular and organismal levels : foamy macrophages and sex-dependent responses, Ryan David Lockard Thesis (UNI Access Only) 2018 Award
Factors influencing wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) home range size in Iowa: A comparison between suburban and rural populations, Joshua Gregory Otten Open Access Thesis
The effects of metolachlor exposure on the THP-1 alveolar monocyte and macrophage function, Jared S. Parmater Open Access Thesis
Anti-proliferative effect of hibernating American bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, blood plasma on the THP-1 cells, Sean L. Robbins Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2016
Density and diversity of bees in the Midwestern agricultural landscape: Influence of surrounding agricultural land use and local plant community characteristics, Andrew J. Ridgway Open Access Thesis
Effects of predator satiation on seed predation in new roadside prairie plantings, Jessica Riebkes Open Access Thesis
Homocysteine and CSRP-3 protein in migrating neural crest cells: A quantitative and qualitative confocal microscopy study, Allysan R. White Open Access Thesis
Effects of soil type and plant diversity on soil respiration and litter decomposition in a tallgrass prairie biofuel production system, Jordan Lee Young Thesis (UNI Access Only)
Theses/Dissertations from 2015
The utility of high-diversity prairie mixtures as bioenergy feedstocks, Jessica E. Abernathy Thesis (UNI Access Only)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function and the design of tallgrass restorations for biomass production, Dustin Robert Jon Graham Open Access Thesis
Metabolic response of barley to drought stress, Jordan Andrew Hein Thesis (UNI Access Only)
Butterfly and floral community dynamics at a native prairie agrofuel research site, Benjamin J. Hoksch Open Access Thesis
A comparison of the effects of burning, haying and mowing on plants and small mammals in a tallgrass prairie reconstruction, Ryan Allan Neuhaus Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2014
Population structure, size, and the thermal ecology of Iowa wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta): A comparison between suburban and rural populations, Samuel Wesley Berg Open Access Thesis 2015 Award
Geometric morphometric analysis of skeletal shape variation across the pleuronectiformes, Corinthia R. Black Open Access Thesis
Development of leaf shape and vein homologies in five species of the genus Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae), Austin William Jones Open Access Thesis
The phylogenetics and systematics of Physaria kingii (Brassicaceae), Jamie Minnaert-Grote Open Access Thesis
Homocysteine intensifies embryonic LIM3 expression in migratory neural crest cells: A quantitative confocal microscope study, Jordan Naumann Open Access Thesis
Tracking above- and below- ground seed persistence and mortality in a native tallgrass prairie restoration, Carmen Pellish Open Access Thesis
Changes in the proteome of the barley spike under drought and well-watered conditions, Aaron Walck Thesis (UNI Access Only)
Theses/Dissertations from 2013
Population genetics of Thomomydoecus minor: Ectoparasitic chewing lice on Thomomys bottae pocket gophers of the Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico, Sheree Elizabeth Harper Open Access Thesis
Bird use of heterogeneous native prairie biofuel production plots, Jarrett D. Pfrimmer Open Access Thesis
Habitat usage, movement patterns, and home range size of wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in a suburban habitat, Jessica Williams Thesis (UNI Access Only)
Theses/Dissertations from 2012
Correlation between Science Process Skills Proficiency in Pre-service Elementary Teachers and Academic Achievement, Laura Witt Dawson Open Access Thesis
Early avian colonization in a prairie biofuel project, James T. Mason Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2010
The effects of planting methods and granivory on seedling emergence in a tallgrass prairie reconstruction, Justin Vernon Huisman Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2009
Pollution Swapping: The Effect of Phosphorus Sequestration on Denitrification in Wetland Sediments, Nathaniel Femi Adegboyega Open Access Thesis
A Phylogeographic Analysis of Fiddler Crabs, Uca longisignalis and U. pugnax, Cydney Brooks Open Access Thesis
Resistance to and Virulence of Fusarium verticillioides, Tracy Lynn Bruns Open Access Thesis
The effects of varying seeding rates of Bouteloua curtipendula and mowing on native plant establishment in a new prairie reconstruction, Ryan Leon Welch Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2007
The Use of AFLP to Create a Genetic Linkage Map for Fusarium graminearum, Eric Von Berns Open Access Thesis
Quantifying granivory in a reconstructed prairie: affects of season, species, seed predators, sacrificial food, and the chemical deterrent capsaicin, Craig M. Hemsath Open Access Thesis
Succession of an Iowa sand prairie into an adjoining old-field, Susan Jill Kirt Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2006
Adding species diversity to a reconstructed prairie using an incremental approach, Amy L. Carolan Open Access Thesis
Biomonitoring organochlorine and cholinesterase inhibiting insecticide in eastern Iowa streams, Matthew Thomas Fisher Open Access Thesis 2007 Award
Biotechnology Education in the State of Iowa: A Survey of Teachers and Factors Affecting Inclusion, Jason Allen Lang Open Access Thesis
Student Attendance and Its Relationship to Student Achievement in an Earth Science Class, Gregory Lee Schafer Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2004
The Learning Garden: A Case Study, Laurie Ann Kellogg Hayzlett Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2003
The Effects of Student Manipulated Lewis Structure Models on Chemistry Achievement According to Cognitive Level, Kimberly M. Ross Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2002
Organophosphorous insecticide contamination in streams: Insects as bioindicators, Brian M. Andersen Open Access Thesis 2003 Award
Monitoring of prairie bushclover (Lespedeza leptostachya) in south-central Iowa, Paul J. Bockenstedt Open Access Thesis
Piagetian Developmental Reasoning Levels of High School Students in Differentiated First Year Chemistry Courses, Pamela Kay Brewer-Michael Open Access Thesis
The use of AFLP to detect genetic differentiation within and among populations of two prairie plant species: Panicum virgatum and Coreopsis palmata, Christopher Andrew Hilker Open Access Thesis
A Study of the Validation of the Constructive Inquiry Science Reasoning Skills Test, Matthew John Stier Open Access Thesis
Emergence and mortality of native prairie forbs seeded into an established stand of grasses, Dave Williams Open Access Thesis 2004 Award
Emergence and mortality of native prairie forbs seeded into an established stand of grasses, Dave Williams Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 2001
The effect of valproic acid on motility and morphometry parameters, and actin and N-cadherin distribution in avian neural crest cells, Leah Christine Fuller Open Access Thesis 2002 Award
Teaching Effectiveness in an Introductory High School Honors Physics Course as Measured by the Force Concept Inventory, April Crawford Moore Open Access Thesis
Germination, emergence, and early growth of Spartina pectinata, Wade Herold Williams Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 1999
Effects of sludge application on prairie establishment, Brenda Joan Durbahn Open Access Thesis
The use of RAPD to detect genetic variation in populations of Liatris aspera Michx., Duane Joseph Kitchen Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 1998
Toxicity of TNT, HMX, and RDX Degradation Products to Mammalian Cells before and after Bioremediation of Contaminated Soils, Irina Yurievna Blinova Open Access Thesis
Use of RAPDS to Develop Specific Primers for the Identification of Mycorrhizal Fungi, Cynthia A. Boyd Open Access Thesis
Differential Expression of the Putative Multidrug Resistance (MDR) P-Glycoprotein in Marine Hepatocytes, Marty C. Braud Open Access Thesis
Breeding bird use of intensively managed rotational grazing pastures, native prairies and savannas: A comparison, Jennifer Marie Hurley O'Hara Open Access Thesis 1999 Award
Theses/Dissertations from 1997
Understanding of Wetlands as Expressed by Selected Community Leaders, Donald Nathan Bardole Open Access Thesis
Ecomorphology of Peromyscus in Iowa, Frederick Dramani Biga Open Access Thesis
Role of Calcium and Other Cations on Contractile Vacuole Activity of Tetrahymena thermophila, Robert William Bird Open Access Thesis
Macrophyte-macroinvertebrate interactions in a lentic ecosystem and the effect of fluridone treatment to control Myriophyllum spicatum L., Gregory J. Moeller Open Access Thesis 1999 Award
Theses/Dissertations from 1995
The development of SCARS for identification of AM fungi, Jason Daniel Abbas Open Access Thesis 1997 Award
Pre-instructional Student Conceptions of Natural Selection and Evolution and Their Relationship to Cognitive Level, Terence John Coleman Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 1994
A Qualitative Study of the Perceptions of the Physics Teaching Experiences of Selected Iowa Teachers Who Have an Undergraduate Major in Biology, Jody Williams Bintz Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 1993
Impact of Elementary Teachers’ Science Backgrounds on the Teaching of Science in Iowa Elementary Classrooms, Nancy Lynn Heiter Open Access Thesis
A Study of Science Teacher Perceptions and the Implementation of Science-Technology-Society Education in Iowa Senior High Schools, David L. Johnson Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 1992
Stream microcosm toxicity tests: Colonizing test organisms and predicting the effects of fenvalerate on riffle insect communities, Dan H. Breneman Open Access Thesis 1994 Award
Theses/Dissertations from 1991
Predicting Success of Entering Freshman Biology Majors Taking either Biology or Biology and Chemistry, Sue Ann Smith Open Access Thesis
Multivariate analysis of the Carex brevior group in Iowa, Scott C. Zager Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 1990
Gas exchange of four Viburnum species, Lisa Gayle De Berg Open Access Thesis 1991 Award
Factors related to the occurrence of certain prairie graminoid species in Black Hawk County, Iowa, roadsides, Pauline Mary Drobney Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 1987
A survey of the vascular flora of Black Hawk County, Iowa, Karen E. Van Norman Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 1986
An Analysis of Factors Affecting the Status of Evolution as a Topic in Iowa High School Biology Classrooms, Heidi Ann Andre Open Access Thesis
Theses/Dissertations from 1984
Applications of aerial imagery in identification of natural areas, Kendall Duane Wessel Open Access Thesis
