James Leaphart

James Leaphart is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at the University of North Georgia (UNG). He earned a Ph.D. in Forestry and Natural Resources (Wildlife Ecology) from the University of Georgia in 2022, an M.S. in the same field in 2017, and a B.S. in Biology from the University of South Carolina Aiken in 2014.

• Ph.D., Forestry and Natural Resources (Wildlife Ecology), University of Georgia, 2022
• M.S., Forestry and Natural Resources (Wildlife Ecology), University of Georgia, 2017
• B.S., Biology, University of South Carolina Aiken, 2014

Dr. Leaphart specializes in wildlife ecotoxicology and disease biology, focusing on how anthropogenic pollution and disease affect animal health, physiology, reproduction, and behavior. His research spans mercury contamination, radiocesium accumulation, trace element dynamics, and parasitic infections in aquatic and semi-aquatic organisms. He collaborates on projects involving waterfowl, gamebirds, reptiles, amphibians, raccoons, river otters, beavers, pigs, fish, and invertebrates.

His publications analyze contaminant bioaccumulation across ecosystems, including studies on mercury in waterfowl, radiocesium in fish, and parasitic impacts on dragonfly naiads. His work often intersects with public health risks, such as contaminant exposure in wild turkeys and game species. Dr. Leaphart teaches courses like BIOL 1108K (Principles of Biology II) and BIOL 2251K (Human Anatomy and Physiology I).