Catherine E. Newman
Current Position
2017 - present
Assistant Professor. University of Louisiana Monroe
Biology Program, 700 University Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana 71209
Research Positions
2009 - 2011
Junior Research Specialist. University of California - Davis.
Department of Evolution and Ecology. 2320 Storer Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616.
Education
2011 - 2017
Ph.D. from Louisiana State University
Museum of Natural Science, Department of Biological Sciences; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803
Major professor: Dr. Christopher C. Austin
2007 - 2009
M.S. from University of Alabama
Department of Biological Sciences; Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487
Major professor: Dr. Leslie J. Rissler
2002 - 2005
B.S.Ed. from University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487
Major: Elementary Education. Summa Cum Laude
Publications
Newman CE (2017) Survival of salamanders in a severe flood event in Louisiana. Southeastern Naturalist, 16, N19-N23. Download PDF
Newman CE, Gregory TR, Austin CC (2017) The dynamic evolutionary history of genome size in North American woodland salamanders. Genome, 60, 285-292. Download PDF
Krysko KL, Nuñez LP, Newman CE, Bowen BW (2017) Phylogenetics of kingsnakes, Lampropeltis getula complex (Serpentes: Colubridae), in Eastern North America. Journal of Heredity, 108, 226-238. Download PDF
Newman CE, Austin CC (2016) Sequence capture and next-generation sequencing of ultraconserved elements in a large-genome salamander. Molecular Ecology, 25, 6162-6174. Download PDF
Newman CE, Austin CC (2015) Thriving in the cold: glacial expansion and post-glacial contraction of a temperate terrestrial salamander (Plethodon serratus). PLOS ONE, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130131. Download PDF
Feinberg JA, Newman CE, Watkins-Colwell GJ, Schlesinger MD, Zarate B, Curry BR, Shaffer HB, Burger J (2014) Cryptic diversity in Metropolis: confirmation of a new leopard frog species (Anura: Ranidae) from New York City and surrounding Atlantic Coast regions. PLOS ONE, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108213. Download PDF
Carstens BC, Brennan RS, Chua V, Duffie CV, Harvey MG, Koch RA, McMahan CD, Nelson BJ, Newman CE, Satler JD, Seeholzer G, Posbic K, Tank DC, Sullivan J (2013) Model selection as a tool for phylogeographic inference: an example from the willow Salix melanopsis. Molecular Ecology, 22, 4014-4028. Download PDF
Spinks PQ, Thomson RC, Pauly GB, Newman CE, Mount G, Shaffer HB (2013) Misleading phylogenetic inferences based on single-exemplar sampling in the turtle genus Pseudemys. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution, 68, 269-281. Download PDF
Newman CE, Feinberg JA, Rissler LJ, Burger J, Shaffer HB (2012) A new species of leopard frog (Anura: Ranidae) from the urban northeastern US. Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution, 63, 445-455. Download PDF
Newman CE, and LJ Rissler (2011) Phylogeographic analyses of the southern leopard frog: the impact of geography and climate on the distribution of genetic lineages vs. subspecies. Molecular Ecology, 20 (24), 5295-5312. Download PDF
Spinks PQ, Thomson RC, Barley AJ, Newman CE, Shaffer HB (2010) Testing avian, squamate, and mammalian nuclear markers for cross amplification in turtles. Conservation Genetics Resources, DOI: 10.1007/s12686-010-98184-7. Download PDF
Grants Received
2014
Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, National Science Foundation $19,240
Systematics and evolutionary history of the southern redback salamander: using next generation sequencing with organisms with large genomes
2008
Graduate Student Research and Travel Support Fund $600
An integrative approach to resolving taxonomic controversy and reconstructing the evolutionary history of Rana sphenocephala
2007
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund, American Museum of Natural History $1250
Phylogeography and systematics of the southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala)
2007
Graduate Student Research and Travel Support Fund $200
Phylogeography and systematics of the southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Invited Seminars
Newman, C. E.*, C. C. Austin. 2016. Emporia State University, Emporia, KS. Phylogeography of the salamander Plethodon serratus across four isolated regions of the southeastern US.
Conference Presentations
Newman, C. E.*, C. C. Austin. 2017. Society of Systematic Biologists Standalone Meeting, Baton Rouge, LA. Dynamic evolutionary history of genome size in North American woodland salamanders.
Newman, C. E.*, C. C. Austin. 2016. Ernest A. Liner Louisiana Herpetology Conference, LUMCON, Chauvin, LA. Phylogeography of Plethodon serratus (Plus: survivor salamanders).
Newman, C. E.*, C. C. Austin. 2016. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, New Orleans, LA. Sequence capture of UCEs for intraspecific phylogenetics and species delimitation of a large-genome salamander, Plethodon serratus.
Newman, C. E.*, C. C. Austin. 2016. The Evolution Conference, Austin, TX. Sequence capture of UCEs for intraspecific phylogenetics and species delimitation of a large-genome salamander, Plethodon serratus.
Newman, C. E.*, C. C. Austin. 2014. Society for the Study of Evolution, American Society of Naturalists, and Society of Systematic Biologists meeting, Raleigh, NC. Phylogeography and conservation of the salamander Plethodon serratus across four isolated regions of the southeastern US.
Newman, C. E.*, C. C. Austin. 2013. Ernest A. Liner Louisiana Herpetology Conference, LUMCON, Chauvin, LA. Phylogeography and conservation of the salamander Plethodon serratus across four isolated regions of the southeastern US.
Newman, C. E.*, C. C. Austin. 2013. Society for the Study of Evolution, American Society of Naturalists, and Society of Systematic Biologists meeting, Snowbird, UT. Phylogeography and conservation of the salamander Plethodon serratus across four isolated regions of the southeastern US.
Newman, C. E.*, J. A. Feinberg, L. J. Rissler, J. Burger, and H. B. Shaffer. 2012. First Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. A new species of leopard frog (Anura: Ranidae) from the urban northeastern US.
Newman, C. E.*, and L. J. Rissler. 2009. Society for the Study of Evolution, American Society of Naturalists, and Society of Systematic Biologists meeting, Moscow, ID. Uncovering cryptic diversity: an integrative approach to reconstructing the evolutionary history of Rana sphenocephala.
Newman, C. E.*, and L. J. Rissler. 2009. Association of Southeastern Biologists, Birmingham, AL. Integrating genetics, ecological niche modeling, and morphology to reconstruct the evolutionary history of Rana sphenocephala.
Newman, C. E.*, and L. J. Rissler. 2008. The Systematics Association: Young Systematists’ Forum, London, UK. An integrative approach to resolving taxonomic controversy and reconstructing the evolutionary history of Rana sphenocephala.
Newman, C. E.*, and L. J. Rissler. 2008. Ecological Society of America, Milwaukee, WI. Phylogeography and Systematics of the Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala).
Newman, C. E.*, and L. J. Rissler. 2008. The Herpetology Conference, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Phylogeography and Systematics of the Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala).
Teaching
2017
University of Louisiana Monroe, Biology Program
Introduction to Evolutionary Biology (lecture)
Principles of Ecology (lecture/lab)
2016
Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences
Guest Lecturer
Evolution: Biogeography
Evolution: Classification & Taxonomy
Evolution: Evolution & Medicine
2013
Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences
Guest Lecturer
Herpetology
2011 - 2013
Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences
Introductory Biology for Majors (lab)
Genetics (problem solving discussion)
Herpetology (lab)
Teaching Assistant
2007 - 2009
University of Alabama, Department of Biological Sciences
BSC 215 and 216 Labs (Human Anatomy & Physiology)
Teaching Assistant
2008
University of Alabama, Department of Biological Sciences
BSC 216 Lecture (Human Anatomy & Physiology)
Guest lecturer for two lectures on genetics and heredity
2006
Arcadia Elementary School, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
5th grade teacher
Full-time, contracted elementary teacher
Taught all subjects in a self-contained classroom
Academic Awards
2009
The Ralph Chermock Prize for the most outstanding graduate student in systematics and ecology, University of Alabama
2008
Best Poster award at the Young Systematists’ Forum of the Systematics Association, London, UK
Additional Training
March 2014
La Kretz Workshop in Conservation Genomics
La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, UCLA
March 2009
Applied Phylogenetics Workshop
Bodega Bay Marine Laboratory, University of California-Davis
Professional Affiliations
Society for the Study of Evolution
Society of Systematic Biologists
Mentorship
2013 - 2014 Laboratory Mentor to undergraduate students:
Jeff Weinell, Kalli Trahan, Zack Weilenman, Will Thompson, Oliver Sinquefield
Service
2016 (August - December)
Community service volunteer, Baton Rouge flood relief.
Worked with friends, Together Baton Rouge, NECHAMA Jewish Response to Disaster.
2015 - present
Community outreach for Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science.
17 Jan. 2017: Sixth Grade Day, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
14 Jan. 2017: Special Saturday, LSU Museum of Natural Science, Baton Rouge, LA.
3 Dec. 2016: Louisiana Master Naturalists Workshop, LSU Museum of Natural Science, Baton Rouge, LA.
17 Nov. 2016: Family STEM Night, Westdale Middle School, Baton Rouge, LA.
25 Oct. 2016: Conference, Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics and Louisiana Science Teachers
Association, Baton Rouge, LA.
24 Sept. 2016: Special Saturday, LSU Museum of Natural Science, Baton Rouge, LA.
16 Sept. 2016: Fall Fest, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
21 July 2016: LSU Lab School Tiger Challenge Camp, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
14 May 2016: Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge Workshop, Baton Rouge, LA.
7 May 2016: Step Outside Day, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Krotz Springs, LA.
30 Apr. 2016: Greenwings Conservation Event, Duck Unlimited, Covington, LA.
14 Jan. 2016: Sixth Grade Day, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
10 Nov. 2015: Conference, Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics and Louisiana Science Teachers
Association, Baton Rouge, LA.
2 Oct. 2015: Fall Fest, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
26 Sept. 2015: Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge Workshop, Baton Rouge, LA.
23 Aug. 2015: Geaux Science Welcome Event, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
9 May 2015: Step Outside Day, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Krotz Springs, LA.
19 March 2015: Earth Day, Baton Rouge, LA.
2012 - present
Reviewer for submitted manuscripts to Axios, Molecular Ecology, Journal of Herpetology, Wetlands.
2007 - 2009
CAARE: Conservation of Alabama Amphibians and Reptiles through Education - community outreach program, Leslie J. Rissler, University of Alabama.