معرفی
Katrina Gobetz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at James Madison University (JMU), where she has served since 2005. Her research focuses on small mammal ecology, paleontology, and the interpretation of fossilized burrows. She leads a long-term study on small mammal populations in a meadow restoration site, investigating how species diversity and population dynamics evolve with habitat changes.
Dr. Gobetz earned a PhD in Biology from the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS), an MS from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN), and a BA from Colgate University (Madison County, NY). She teaches courses in Human Anatomy (BIO 290), Mammalogy (BIO 412), and Organisms Lab (BIO 114). Her pedagogical work includes innovative field courses blending technology and hands-on biology learning.
Her research expertise spans mammalian burrow morphology, fossil record analysis, and evolutionary behavior. Key contributions include studies on rodent burrow evolution, lungfish burrow adaptations, and paleodietary reconstructions using dental calculus. She emphasizes bridging modern ecological observations with interpretations of ancient environments to enhance understanding of biodiversity and extinction dynamics.
In advising and mentorship, Dr. Gobetz fosters undergraduate research experiences through learning communities and field-based projects. Her lab’s work on meadow restoration sites provides unique insights into ecological succession and conservation strategies. She is actively engaged in collaborative efforts to map fossil resources and analyze vertebrate remains across North America.
