JESSICA DEENE STEPHENS Conservation Coordinator/Research Scientist Department of Conservation and Research, Atlanta Botanical Garden · 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309· Phone: 630.291.2441· Email: [email protected]

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Plant Biology (University of Georgia) 2017 Advisor: Dr. Russell Malmberg Visiting Researcher (Cornell University) 2016 Mentors: Drs. Andre Kessler and Robert Raguso M.S. Biology (Auburn University) 2011 Advisors: Drs. Debbie R. Folkerts and Scott R. Santos B.S. Biology (Butler University) 2005 Advisor: Dr. Becky Dolan

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

Post-doc. University of Pittsburgh (Ashman Lab) 2017-18 Evolutionary ecology of plant interactions

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

PUBLICATIONS (†INDICATES UNDERGRADUATE) 11. Stephens J.D., T.J. Ryan. Accepted. Diet of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) and common map turtle (Graptemys geographica) in an urban landscape. Urban Naturalist 10. Stephens J.D., D. Battle†, C. Gormally, P. Brickman. 2017. Show me the way: Future faculty prefer directive feedback when trying active learning approaches. Journal of College Science Teaching 47: 57– 65. 9. Stephens J.D., W.L. Rogers, C.M. Mason, L.A. Donovan, R.L. Malmberg. 2015. Species tree estimation of diploid Helianthus (Asteraceae) using target enrichment. American Journal of Botany 102: 921–941. 8. Stephens J.D., R. L. Godwin, D.R. Folkerts. 2015. Distinctions in pitcher morphology and prey capture of the Okefenokee variety within the carnivorous plant species, Sarracenia minor. Southeastern Naturalist 14:254–266. 7. Stephens J.D., W.L. Rogers, K. Heyduk, J.M. Cruse-Sanders, R.O. Determann, T.C. Glenn, R.L. Malmberg. 2015. Resolving phylogenetic relationships for the recently radiated carnivorous plant Sarracenia using target enrichment. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 85:76–87. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2015.01.015 6. Dolan R.W., J.D. Stephens, and M.E. Moore. 2015. Partial evidence for biotic homogenization in two peri-urban central Indiana preserves with different forest community types. The American Midland Naturalist 174:33–48. 5. Ryan T.J., W.E. Peterman, J.D. Stephens, and S.C. Sterrett. 2014. Movements and habitat use of the snapping turtle in an urban landscape. Urban Ecosystems 17:613–623. doi 10.1007/s11252-013- 0324-1 4. Stephens J.D. and D.R. Folkerts. 2012. Life history aspects of Exyra semicrocea (pitcher plant ) (: ), Southeastern Naturalist 11:111–126. 3. Dolan R.W., J.D. Stephens, and M.E. Moore. 2011. Living more than just enough for the city: Persistence of high-quality vegetation in natural areas in an urban setting, Diversity 3:611–627. 2. Stephens J.D., S.R. Santos, and D.R. Folkerts. 2011. Genetic differentiation, structure, and a transition zone among populations of the pitcher plant moth Exyra semicrocea: implications for conservation, PLoS ONE 6:e22658.

1 1. Dolan R.W., M.E. Moore, and J.D. Stephens. 2011. Documenting effects of urbanization on flora using herbarium records. Journal of Ecology 99:1055–1062.

BOOK CONTRIBUTIONS

Heyduk K.*, Stephens, J.D.*, Faircloth B., and T.C. Glenn. 2016. Targeted DNA re-sequencing. In: Field Guidelines for Genetic Experimental Designs in High-Throughput Sequencing. *equal contribution

MANUSCRIPTS IN REVIEW

Stephens J.D., W. Rogers, R.O. Determann, R.L. Malmberg. Host species specific and temporal diversity in microbial communities across the carnivorous New World pitcher plant genus Sarracenia. Rebolleda-Gomez M., Forrester N., Russell A., Fetters A., Stephens J.D., Wei N., Ashman TL. Eco- evolutionary dynamics between flowers and their microbial communities: Inter-play in four acts. The American Naturalist.

MANUSCRIPTS IN PREP (AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)

Stephens J.D., R.O. Determann, A. Kessler, D.R. Folkerts, R.A. Raguso, R.L. Malmberg. Carnivorous plant syndromes: Morphological traits determine prey captured. Target Journal: New Phytologist

MANUSCRIPTS IN THE PIPELINE (†INDICATES UNDERGRADUATE)

Rowe P.S.†, R.L. Malmberg, R. Raguso, A. Kessler, and J.D. Stephens. Volatile emissions from pitchers and flowers of the carnivorous plant Sarracenia leucophylla Stephens J.D., R.O. Determann, R.L. Malmberg, A. Kessler. Evaluation of the pollinator-prey conflict hypothesis in the carnivorous pitcher plants (Sarracenia sp.)

GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Plant Biology Graduate Student Association Travel Award ($500) 2016 UGA Graduate School Dissertation Completion Award ($14,720) 2016-17 National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant ($18,840) 2016 UGA Plant Biology Palfrey Grant ($1,250) 2015 Society for Integrated Comparative Biology ($1,000) 2014 Society for the Study of Evolution Rosemary Grant ($2,250) 2013 Society for Systematic Biologists Graduate Grant ($1,470) 2013 UGA Innovative and Interdisciplinary Research Grant ($1,000) 2013 Plant Biology Graduate Student Association Research Assistance Award ($450) 2013 UGA Plant Biology Palfrey Grant ($1,250) 2013 Sigma Xi Research in Aid grant ($400) 2012 Auburn University Graduate Research Award ($1,000) 2010 NERRS/NOAA Graduate Research Fellowship ($20,000) 2010 Sigma Xi Research in Aid grant ($400) 2009 Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) post course research grant ($1,000) 2008 Butler Summer Institute Research Grant ($2,000) 2002

RESEARCH/ACADEMIC AWARDS AND HONORS

Best Poster Department of Plant Biology Symposium, UGA 2016 University of Georgia Chapter of Blue Key National Honor Society 2016 Wilbur Duncan Award for Best Graduate Student in UGA Dept. of Plant Biology 2015 Best Poster Department of Plant Biology Symposium, UGA 2015 Best Talk Department of Plant Biology Symposium, UGA 2014

2 UGA Graduate School Conference Travel Award 2014 Finalist for the UGA Three Minute Thesis Competition 2013 Distinguished Master’s Outstanding Student, Auburn University (AU) Graduate School 2011 Student Government Association (SGA) Outstanding Student Award, AU Graduate School 2011 Selected for the Organization of Tropical Studies Course in Costa Rica 2008 John Potzger Award for botany and environmental sciences, Butler University 2005 Recognized for outstanding academic athletic standings, Butler University 2003-05 Division I student-athlete (softball) 2001-05 MENTORING

Undergraduates: Pamela Rowe. 2016-present. Project: Volatile emissions from pitchers and flowers of the carnivorous plant Sarracenia leucophylla. She presented her project at the Botany Society of America conference in Savannah, GA July 30-Aug 2, 2016 and the Plant biology symposium, August 2016. She is also working towards a first author publication for this project. David Battle. 2016. Project: Show me the way: Future faculty prefer directive feedback when trying active learning approaches. David contributed significantly to this project and is a co-author on the paper. He also presented a poster at the Undergraduate Biology Education Research forum in Athens, GA. July 2016. High school teacher: Brian Rose. 2017. Project: Urbanization influences on plant--microbe interactions. I mentored Brian in various lab and field techniques that he is using to design new curriculum for high school biology courses with an emphasis on ecological interactions.

INVITED ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Stephens, J.D. Complex interactions in Sarracenia: Implications for plant and ecosystem health. The Nature Conservancy Bog Learning Network, March 14th, 2018. Stephens, J.D. A macroevolutionary perspective of species interactions in the carnivorous pitcher plant genus Sarracenia. Middlebury College, November 21st, 2017. Stephens, J.D. A macroevolutionary perspective of species interactions in the carnivorous pitcher plant genus Sarracenia. University of North Carolina at Asheville, October 12th, 2017. Stephens, J.D. A macroevolutionary perspective of species interactions in the carnivorous pitcher plant genus Sarracenia. University of Pittsburgh, April 3rd, 2017. Stephens, J.D. Fatal Attraction: How insect prey has influenced carnivorous plant diversification. Invited keynote speaker, Invited Butler Seminar Series, Indianapolis, IN, March 2, 2016. Stephens, J.D., Santos, S.R., Folkerts, D.R. Life history aspects and phylogeography of Exyra semicrocea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their implications for pitcher plant conservation. Invited Butler Seminar Series, Indianapolis, IN, April 20, 2011.

SELECTED ORAL PRESENTATIONS (19 TALKS TOTAL)

Stephens J.D., Battle D., Gormally C., Brickman P. 2017. Show me the way: Future faculty prefer directive feedback when trying active learning approaches. Scientists Engaged in Education Research (SEER) Spring Research Forum, Athens, GA, May 12, 2017. Stephens J.D. 2016. Plants have guts, too! A comparative analysis of the pitcher plant (Sarracenia sp.) microbiome. Botany Conference, Savannah, GA, August 3, 2016. Stephens J.D. 2016. A comparative analysis of the pitcher plant (Sarracenia sp.) microbiome. Evolution, Austin, TX, June 20, 2016. Stephens J.D., R. Determann, R.L. Malmberg. 2015. The evolution of plant carnivory: Insights into morphological diversification and prey partitioning in the carnivorous pitcher plant genus Sarracenia. Botany Conference, Edmonton, Canada, July 28, 2015. Stephens, J.D. Fatal attraction: Insights into morphological diversification and prey partitioning in the carnivorous

3 pitcher plant genus Sarracenia. Enthusiasts of Diversity, Genetics and Evolution, Athens, GA, April 18, 2014. Stephens, J.D., Santos, S.R., Folkerts, D.R. Genetic divergence and strong population structure of Exyra semicrocea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their implications for pitcher plant conservation. West Gulf Coastal Plain/Big Thicket Science Conference, Nacogdoches, TX, April 8-9, 2011.

SELECTED POSTER PRESENTATIONS (9 POSTERS TOTAL)

Stephens J.D., Battle D., Gormally C., Brickman P. 2016. The impact of pedagogical instruction and feedback on future faculty teaching beliefs. Botany Conference, Savannah, GA, August 1, 2016. Stephens J.D., Determann R.O., Malmberg R. 2015. Carnivorous syndromes in the North American pitcher plant genus Sarracenia. Plant Biology Symposium, Athens, GA, August 24, 2015. Stephens J.D., Rogers W., Mason C., Donovan L., Malmberg R. 2014. Species tree estimation of the genus Helianthus (Asteraceae) using target enrichment. Plant Biology Symposium, Athens, GA, August 25, 2014.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Botanical Society of America 2014-present Ecological Society of America 2016-17 Society for the Study of Evolution 2012-16 International Carnivorous Plant Society 2013-15 Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology 2013-14 Society of Systematic Biologist 2012-13

REFEREED JOURNALS American Journal of Botany, Ecology Letters, Frontiers in Plant Science, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Genetica, Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Molecular Ecology

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

INSTRUCTOR OF RECORD

Concepts in Biology Non-Major Online Course Summer 2016 Science Communication Seminar Fall 2015 Teaching Seminar for Graduate Teaching Assistants Fall 2015 Principles of Plant Biology Lab Fall 2013 Principles of Biology II Honors Lab Spring 2013 Principles of Biology II Lab Fall 2011, Spring 2012 Principles of Biology I Lab Fall 2012 Supplemental Instructor for Organismal Biology Lecture Spring 2010 Supplemental Instructor for Principles of Biology Lecture Fall 2009

TEACHING ASSISTANT

Bioinformatics Lab Fall 2014 Plant Lab Summer 2012, ‘13, Spring 2014, ‘16 Principles of Biology Honors Lab Fall 2010 Organismal Biology Fall 2008, ‘09, ’10 Principles of Biology Fall 2007

LAB COORDINATOR Plant Taxonomy Lab Spring 2015

4 TUTORING

Organismal Biology Fall 2010 Principles of Biology Spring 2011

COURSE DESIGN

I have been instrumental in designing or developing activities for:

Plant-Based Solutions (University of Georgia) Communicating Science Seminar (University of Georgia) Teaching Seminar for Graduate Teaching Assistants (designed entire course, University of Georgia) Supplemental Instructor for Principles of Biology (designed entire course, Auburn University) Supplemental Instructor for Organismal Biology (designed entire course, Auburn University)

TEACHING PUBLICATIONS (†INDICATES UNDERGRADUATE)

Stephens J.D., D. Battle†, C. Gormally, P. Brickman. 2017. Show me the way: Future faculty prefer directive feedback when trying active learning approaches. Journal of College Science Teaching 47: 57–65.

FORMAL PEDAGOGICAL TRAINING

College Teaching and Student Learning (3 credits) 2015 Course Design for Significant Learning (3 credits) 2014 Pedagogy of Writing in the Disciplines (1 credit) 2011 Teaching Seminar for Graduate Teaching Assistants (3 credits) 2011

TEACHING AWARDS AND HONORS

Best Research Informing Practice Award, Scientists Engaged in Education Research Forum 2017 UGA Graduate School University Teaching Certificate 2017 CIRTL Scholar Award 2017 Nominated for the Excellence in Teaching Award 2016 National Academies Education Fellow in the Life Sciences 2015 Teaching Seminar for Graduate Teaching Assistants Assistantship Award 2015 Nominated for the K. Patricia Cross Leader Award 2014 UGA Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award 2014 UGA Graduate School Teaching Portfolio Program Certificate 2013

OTHER TEACHING RELATED ACTIVITIES

Why Diversity Matters: Strategies for Inclusive Teaching Workshop 2017 I designed and lead this workshop for the UGA Spring Teaching Symposium. The workshop was designed to be an introduction to inclusive teaching by having attendants participate in various activities. Students discussed different types of diversity and brainstormed on strategies to create an inclusive environment in their classrooms. The workshop ended with participants reflecting about the value of diverse classrooms and practice in writing a diversity statement. National Academies Regional Summer Institute on Undergraduate Education 2012-16 The institute is a week-long workshop directed towards college professors across the southeastern United States who are dedicated to reforming science education in the STEM subjects. The program focuses on training faculty to use active learning, diversity, and assessment approaches. I served as the assistant to the Director (Dr. Kathrin Stanger-Hall, UGA) and worked closely with numerous educational reform faculty who facilitate the creation of teaching tid-bits with their participant groups. As assistant, I helped organize and attended all Summer Institute events. The unique opportunity has been extremely transformative in shaping my pedagogy philosophy on how to effectively teach and mentor

5 undergraduates. Moreover, I applied many aspects of the Summer Institute when designing the Teaching Seminar for Graduate Teaching Assistants. Plant Biology Graduate Student Association Peer Teaching Evaluator 2013-14 I was a resource for graduate students who would like evaluation of their teaching and any other teaching advice. In addition, I created a Teaching Portfolio Workshop Series in the fall 2013. Each workshop was open to graduate students from across departments to get feedback as they were completing their teaching portfolios.

OUTREACH EXPERIENCE

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

Rapid Research Talks, Southeastern Ecology & Evolution Conference (SEEC) 2015 I organized this session for undergraduates and graduate students. Contestants had to present their research for a non-scientific audience in less than three minutes. Science Communication Seminar 2015 The capstone service-learning project for the course was for students to write science articles that were published on the Athens Science Observer blog and present a 15-minute talk to the greater Athens Community. The latter event I organized as the Student Science Series sponsored by the Athens Science Café. Plant Biology Three Minute Throwdown 2014 I organized a three minute thesis type competition during a regular seminar time that pitted 5 graduate students against 5 faculty on who could better present their research to a public audience. University of Georgia Three Minute Thesis Finalist 2013 The three minute thesis is a competition meant to encourage graduate students to present their research to a public audience in three minutes or less. I was one of 10 finalists selected from the University wide competition. YouTube Pitcher Plant Video 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFFku4R5G3E&list=PLED164BB89593D7BA&index=4&feature=plpp_video

INVITED ORAL PRESENTATIONS TO GENERAL AUDIENCES

Stephens, J.D. Fatal Attraction: How insect prey has influenced carnivorous plant diversification. Invited keynote speaker, Butler University Herbarium Open House, Indianapolis, IN, March 4, 2016. Stephens, J.D. There and back again: A graduate student’s adventure. P.E.O. Scholar Award Talk, Athens, GA, September 8, 2014. Stephens, J.D. Fatal Attraction: Evolution of Carnivorous Plants in the Southeast. Invited to speak by UGA MAREX, Georgia Sea Grant EcoScapes Program, and GADNR Wildlife Resource Division's Nongame Conservation Section, Tifton, GA, March 27, 2014. Stephens. J.D. Carnivorous Landscapes: Natural History and Conservation of Pitcher Plant Bogs throughout the Southeastern Coastal Plain. Invited to speak at The South Georgia Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium, Tifton, GA, March 27, 2013.

NON-PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Stephens, J.D. 2015. Resolution of the relationships within the North American pitcher plant genus, Sarracenia. Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 44: 82–84. Stephens, J.D. 2011. Succeeding in a Foreign World. Current Conservation 5.4:4 Stephens, J.D. 2011. Pythons Decrease Biodiversity. Current Conservation 5.4:4 (Available at http://www.currentconservation.org/)

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Girl Scouts Science Day 2016 I organized a Girl Scouts Science Day in April that brought in 75 girls (1st-12th grade) from around Athens-Clarke County to interact and do activities with female graduate students from the Department of Plant Biology, Ecology, and

6 Anthropology. This all-day science event was sponsored by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and through a grant from the UGA Graduate School and was featured in the UGA magazine. Botanical Society of America Botany Booth in a Box 2016 Contestants designed activities that can be used for STEM outreach events that can be easily stored and shipped to BSA members who want to use them at different types of events. I designed an activity called “Oddities of Botany: Using carnivorous plants to explain diversity” Clarke County School District Science and Engineering Fair Judge, Grades 6-12 2016 Georgia Science & Engineering Fair Judge, grades 6-12 2012 Auburn University (AU) Explore Science outreach for local K-12 schools 2009 Taught kids about reptiles and amphibians of the southeastern United States.

OTHER SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES UGA Graduate School Emerging Leaders Program 2015-16 I was one of 20 graduate students selected by the Graduate School to participate in this highly competitive program. Participants attended a weekend conference sponsored by the graduate school that developed leadership skills. Plant Biology Graduate Student Association President 2015-16 As President of PBGSA I was involved in organizing graduate student recruitment weekend, participated in faculty meetings, organized the Plant Biology Symposium, and acted as a voice on behalf of the graduate students. Southeastern Ecology & Evolution Conference (SEEC) 2011, 2014-15 I volunteered for SEEC held at Auburn University in 2011. The overall goal of SEEC is to provide an affordable and comfortable atmosphere for undergraduates, graduate students, and post-docs from around the Southeast to present their research. I was in charge of organizing and outreach with local community sponsors. I was an organizer for SEEC 2015, which was held at the University of Georgia in spring 2015. Hands on Georgia River Clean Up 2013 Spread the Gnu's, Fundraiser organizer for local bookstore, Gnu’s Room, (raised $10,000) 2009

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE AWARDS/HONORS

Featured article, “Don’t Fence Me In: The Great Outdoor Adventures of Jess Stephens” UGA Graduate School Magazine http://gradmag.uga.edu/the-great-outdoor-adventures-of-jess-stephens/ 2017 Botanical Society of America Botany Booth in a Box Competition Overall Winner 2016 UGA Rotary Deans’ Service Award 2016 Nominated by Chapter U for the P.E.O. Scholar Award 2014 & 2015

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