Miranda Gaupp

Miranda Gaupp is an Adjunct Instructor of Biology at Cumberland University within the Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business. She joined the faculty in January 2025, bringing expertise in conservation genetics and environmental adaptation, particularly in amphibians. Her research integrates genomic tools to study species responses to environmental change, with a focus on salamander conservation.

Education:

• B.S. in Biology, Millsaps College
• M.S. in Biology, Georgia Southern University
• Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences (Biology concentration), Tennessee Technological University (in progress)

Miranda's research interests center on conservation genetics and molecular ecology. Her work explores how genetic variation enables amphibians like the Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander and the Streamside Salamander to adapt to changing environments, especially temperature shifts. She uses population genomics to assess species resilience and inform conservation strategies, aiming to develop genomic resources for at-risk species. Her early work on scorpion species delimitation laid the foundation for her ongoing interest in evolutionary and conservation genomics.

Although no publications are listed in the provided text, her research trajectory suggests strong engagement in the fields of environmental genomics, herpetology, and biodiversity conservation, with potential contributions to conservation policy and practice through scientific data.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Miranda is actively involved in research and teaching, contributing her expertise in biology to student education at Cumberland University. She is integrating her doctoral research into classroom learning, aiming to demonstrate the real-world impact of biological sciences. While no formal advisees or grants are mentioned, her ongoing PhD work implies involvement in research projects and potential future grant funding. Her background in both research and athletics also informs her mentoring approach, including coaching and promoting student engagement beyond the classroom.

Labs, Teams, and Research Groups:

• Currently conducting doctoral research at Tennessee Technological University in Environmental Sciences.
• Research focuses on conservation genomics of salamanders, likely involving collaboration with wildlife conservation programs and genomics labs.