Kirsten Nicholson

Kirsten Nicholson is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Central Michigan University, with a dual appointment reflecting her expertise in herpetological ecology and evolution, as well as museum studies and natural history curation. She is affiliated with the College of Science and Engineering and serves as Curator of Natural History at CMU’s Museum of Cultural and Natural History, where she trains students in specimen preparation, taxidermy, and collections management.

Education:

• B.S. in Biology, University of Memphis (1991)
• M.S. in Biological Sciences, Auburn University (1995)
• Ph.D. in Biology, University of Miami (2001)
• Postdoctoral Training, Washington University in St. Louis (2001–2006)

Her research focuses on herpetology, encompassing the natural history, ecology, phylogenetics, and evolution of reptiles and amphibians. Early work centered on the systematics and biogeography of tropical anole lizards (genus Norops, family Dactyloidae), including taxonomic revisions and clade-based classification frameworks. Current research investigates the impacts of climate change and invasive species on Michigan’s herpetofauna, geographic variation in amphibian behavior, and improved methodologies for natural history collections.

The most recent publications reflect a strong trajectory in systematic zoology, phylogeography, and disease ecology, with a geographic focus on Central America and the Great Lakes region. Themes include species discovery, biogeographic patterns, taxonomic validity under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, and conservation-related disease monitoring.

Scientific Contributions:

• Described new species of anoles from Panama
• Advanced classification frameworks for Dactyloidae
• Conducted field surveys in Nicaragua and Michigan
• Integrated museum curation with student training and research

Nicholson actively mentors students through research and coursework, teaching Herpetology, Introduction to Museums, and Foundations of Form and Function. Her lab supports undergraduate and graduate research in both field ecology and museum-based studies. She has contributed to improving best practices in natural history collections and continues to bridge academic research with museum science.

She is actively involved in laboratory and field research, leading projects on Beaver Island and Central Michigan, and supervising student researchers in both ecological and systematic projects. Her role integrates academic scholarship with public-facing science through curation and education.