Virginia Huddleston

Virginia Huddleston is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Benedictine College, where she maintains an active research program focused on conservation ecology and wildlife management. Her office is located in Westerman Hall 211, and she can be contacted at 913.360.7281.

Educational Background:

• Ph.D. in Marine Biology from University of North Carolina Wilmington (2012)
• M.S. in Marine Biology from College of Charleston (2008)
• B.S. in Biology from Benedictine College (2004)

Dr. Huddleston's research integrates conservation ecology, ecotoxicology, and physiological ecology to examine human impacts on wildlife. Her work focuses on three primary areas:

• Effects of energy infrastructure (wind turbines) on prairie bird populations
• Mercury contamination pathways in wetland ecosystems
• Long-term recovery monitoring of raptor species like Bald Eagles
• Habitat management through prescribed fire and grazing practices

She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches that combine field ecology, toxicology, and physiology to address conservation challenges.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent focus on anthropogenic impacts on avian species, with recurring themes in grassland bird conservation, ecotoxicology of mercury bioaccumulation, and population responses to habitat management. Recent work shows increased emphasis on genomic applications in conservation biology.

Dr. Huddleston actively mentors undergraduate researchers through projects involving:

• Pheasant translocation studies
• Pollinator conservation initiatives
• Long-term bird biodiversity monitoring at Benedictine Bottoms
• Collaborative field studies with Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

She maintains research partnerships with Kansas State University on prairie-chicken ecology and federal agencies on mercury contamination in North Dakota wetlands.