Life History, Ecology, and Conservation of VertebratesMy research broadly focuses on (1) understanding vertebrate life history and ecology and (2) using this information to guide conservation and management decisions on population, species, or community levels. I use ecological and natural history data to answer hypotheses related to disturbance ecology, thermal ecology, population connectivity, reintroduction ecology, and impacts of natural or anthropogenic stressors on reptile, amphibian, or avian populations. I focus on developing local research projects in Mississippi/Alabama as well as projects at Kaxil Kiuic, the Millsaps Biocultural Preserve in Yucatan, Mexico.
My teaching interests closely mirror my research interests, so that one complements the other. As a field biologist, I value experiential learning and believe it is essential to understand ecological concepts or organisms. When students use the five senses to experience their environment, this solidifies the topics discussed in lecture. Such experiences could come through taking field trips, identifying specimens, class field projects, and learning field techniques. I currently teach Zoology, Wetland Ecology, Herpetology, Vertebrate Zoology, and Ornithology in the Biology Department at Millsaps College. If you are a student interested in working in the lab or wish to collaborate on a project, please contact me at will.selman@millsaps.edu. 
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Recent NewsDecember 2018
-Co-authored manuscript on the global conservation status of turtles and tortoises published in Chelonian Conservation and Biology. -Four geographic distribution notes published in December issue of Herpetological Review: Acris gryllus (Hale Co., AL), Hyla avivoca (Hale Co., AL), Chrysemys dorsalis (Tishomingo Co., MS), and Hemidactylus turcicus (Jones Co., MS). September 2018 -Chapter on Louisiana nonmigratory population of Whooping Crane reintroduction published in Whooping Cranes: Biology and Conservation (w/ co-authors S. King, S. Zimorski, and P. Vasseur). August 2018 -Manuscript published on juvenile diamondback terrapin habitat use in the journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology. -Presented on Pearl River Graptemys research at the 16th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises in Fort Worth, TX. OLD NEWS |