معرفی
Christopher Cratsley is a Professor in the Biology and Chemistry department within the School of Health and Natural Sciences at Fitchburg State University. He maintains an active research program focused on firefly behavior and computer-based biological inquiry while teaching courses including General Biology II, Animal Behavior, and Methods in Teaching Science.
Dr. Cratsley received his Ph.D. in Biology from Tufts University in 2000 and completed his undergraduate studies at Brown University, where he earned a B.A. in Biology through the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program in 1991. His educational background reflects his dual commitment to biological research and science education.
His primary research focuses on firefly communication systems, particularly examining how male fireflies use flash signals for mate attraction and how these signals evolve through sexual selection. Dr. Cratsley has pioneered the use of computer technology to study firefly behavior, developing virtual firefly systems to test hypotheses about mating behavior and predator-prey interactions. His work spans evolutionary biology, entomology, and behavioral ecology, with particular emphasis on Photinus fireflies and their interactions with predators like Photuris fireflies and bats.
An analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on firefly communication systems, with increasing integration of technology and citizen science approaches. His work demonstrates how bioluminescent signaling functions in mate choice, predator avoidance, and species recognition, while also exploring broader applications in STEM education.
- IT Across the Curriculum CITI Grant for 'Biological Inquiry Through Computer Technology' #201-1024FSC (2001)
- Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research for research on sexual selection in fireflies (1999)
Dr. Cratsley's educational work focuses on developing computer-based tools for biological inquiry and methods for teaching science at both secondary and post-secondary levels. His CITI grant specifically supported the development of course materials integrating information technology with biological research, demonstrating his commitment to innovative pedagogical approaches. He has also been involved in collaborative assessment projects across multiple institutions to evaluate quantitative reasoning and writing outcomes.
His laboratory work involves interdisciplinary undergraduate research projects that combine biology, computer science, and education. The 'virtual firefly' project represents a signature approach where computer simulation techniques are used to study firefly behavior in controlled experimental conditions, providing students with hands-on research experience while advancing scientific understanding of firefly communication systems.
