117th Annual Meeting of the Texas Academy of Science March 7-8, 2014 Texas A&M University at Galveston Galveston, Texas ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FROM THE PROGRAM CHAIR I would like to thank everyone for coming to this year’s Texas Academy of Science meeting in Galveston Texas this 2014. This is a year of many firsts for our academy, including our first two day meeting, a new abstract submission system for meeting management, and other technological advances to try to move us forward as a scientific society in the current decade. This meeting would not be possible without the work of many people, as a great many thanks are needed in this regard. First of all, I would like to thank our new Finance and Development Committee and their hard work to acquire sponsored funding for this meeting. Thanks to Romi Burks and Jason Locklin for helping to get our corporate sponsors listed in the following page. This funding drive has enabled us to continue to provide the level of student funding and awards we have come to expect from the academy, and I hope this trend can not only continue, but expand in the future. Although I was technically the Program Chair for this meeting, I could not have done it without the amazing assistance from our Coordinator of Information and Technology, Chris Vitek. He has done so much in regards to working with the new software for abstract submission, review, and program development, that he has in reality been the co-Chair for this meeting. Between working on the abstract system, maintaining the web page, and handling a landslide of correspondence, I and future Program Chairs are deeply in his debt. The organization of the sections and review of the all the great talks and posters have been made possible by the hard work of the various section chairs of the academy. Every section has really put the effort in to make sure that we can provide the best meeting experience possible, and all of this has been done out of their love of the academy and what it means to all of us. As you attend your sections for talks and stay at the section meeting to discuss future business, don’t forget to thank these hard working individuals. If you personally want to be more involved in the Academy and its inner workings, consider running for a section Chair or Vice Chair position. We are always looking for more people to be an integral part of the society. Next, I would like to thank our local host for this year, Tom Linton. Tom helped to organize an army of volunteers on his campus, and has been available to discuss details with me about the meeting on a daily basis at times in this planning process. It is vital to have someone on the ground who can help with the finer details, and Tom and his local committee have been instrumental in making this meeting possible. Knowledge and experience can never be underestimated, and thus I have to extend a humble hand of thanks to our President, Cindy Hobson. Her guidance and assistance to organize this meeting was of no insignificance, as she helped to keep us organized and on track. I can only image that there must have been times working with all of us must have felt like herding cats, and I deeply appreciate her help and patience with working with me and the rest of the annual meeting team. Finally, I need to give a local thanks to my home institution. Dr. Jimmy Case, my Dean and Interim Provost at Sul Ross State University, as well as my current Interim Dean of Arts & Sciences Dr. Jay Downing, have allowed me to work on this program and my duties for the Texas Academy of Science with enthusiastic encouragement. That my school is as excited about this opportunity as I am was a wonderful motivation to do the best job I can, and this helped to keep me working all the hours that this program has taken. I could not have done this without your belief in me. Christopher M. Ritzi Program Chair and President-Elect of TAS 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FROM THE LOCAL HOST If it had not been for the untiring assistance of the following people at Texas A&M University Galveston, the 117th Annual Texas Academy of Science conference would have been a pretty drab affair. Alice Maffay collected the donation monies and kept record of it. Traci Morris, by sheer force of will, caused the Awards Banquet to be within budget and a well done affair. Ken Bailey secured, organized and executed the poster event --- and figured out how the poster stands worked ----- both of which were no small feats. Lisa Webb orchestrated the feeding of the multitudes ---- in a timely, efficient manner. The Honor Students ---- The Dave Lawhon’s Brood ---- performed all the volunteer duties which made for a smooth run event. The Waterfront Operations crew provided the harbor tours that were such a great success ---- which volunteers from the Corps of Cadets contributed to mighty through their service as tour guides on the trips. Officer Noed Revilla of the Campus Police arranged the parking ---- always a continuous matter --- so that it occurred without incident. Bob Mosely of Facilities Services and his band of workers had what we needed where we needed it when we needed it --- a commendable service for the execution of our event. In this digital, internet, electronic, etc., etc. --- where would we have been without the knowledgeable administering to our needs for all that equipment ---- that which without the presentations would have sagged --- we have John Kovacevich and his band of merry men & women in the Department of Information Services to thank and owe a large debt of gratitude. And last but certainly not last, the Officers of the Campus TAS Club: Brandon Hill, President; Emilie Johannes, Vice President and Forrest Holt and Carla Ibanez, Secretary. They did all that had to be done before, during and after to make the Conference a success. Tom Linton th Local Host for 117 Annual Meeting of TAS 2 THE TEXAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE IN CORPORATED IN 1929: AFFILIATED WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE Welcome to Galveston Island and the 11th Annual Meeting of the Texas Academy of Science! As President of the Academy this year, I have been deeply honored to work with a distinguished and dedicated Board and Planning Committee for this meeting. I hope that, as you enjoy different aspects of this meeting, you take the opportunity to thank one of the many people who are making this meeting possible. Chances are, you have the opportunity to participate in other scientific societies related to your discipline. But there is something unique and special about Texas Academy of Science that attracts many to volunteer and serve the Academy. It is a passion for science and science education, which is expressed partly in the support, nurture, and guidance of students and young scientists. Science doesn't just happen on its own- it is a discipline and a vocation of people. Like any other vocation, it must be passed on directly from one generation to the other. It is personal. I hope you take the opportunity to get personal with the Academy at this meeting, and between annual meetings. Please do not hesitate to contact me to learn more about how you can do this: (512) 389-8195 or cindy.hobson@tpwd. texas.gov. Regards, Cindy Hobs · President 3 4 TAS SECTION OFFICERS - 2013-2014 ANTHROPOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Chair: Raymond Mauldin Chair: Kristine Lowe University of Texas at San Antonio University of Texas Pan American [email protected] [email protected] Vice-Chair: Britt Bousman Vice-Chair: Chrstine Kolbe Texas State University [email protected] [email protected] FRESHWATER SCIENCE BIOMEDICAL Chair: Chad Hargrave Chair: Renard L. Thomas Sam Houston State University Texas Southern University [email protected] [email protected] Vice Chair: Paul Fleming Vice-Chair: Andrew Woodward Texas Parks and Wildlife University of Mary Hardin-Baylor [email protected] [email protected] GEOSCIENCES BOTANY Chair: Melinda Shaw Faulkner Chair: Kathleen Wood Stephen S. Austin State University University of Mary Hardin-Baylor [email protected] [email protected] MARINE SCIENCE Vice-Chair: Martin Terry Chair: Thomas Linton SulrossUniversity Texas A&M University – Galveston [email protected] [email protected] CELL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY MATHEMATICS Chair: Adam Reinhart Chair: Elsie M. Campbell Wayland Baptist University Angelo State University [email protected] [email protected] Vice-Chair: Amaris Guardiola NEUROSCIENCE Angelo State University Chair: Francisco Gonzalez-Lima [email protected] University of Texas - Austin [email protected] CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY Chair: Danette Vines PHYSICS Schreiner University Chair: Patrick Miller [email protected] Holland School of Science and Math [email protected] Vice-Chair: Benny Amey Sam Houston State University SCIENCE EDUCATION [email protected] Chair: Kiley Miller Schreiner University COMPUTER SCIENCE [email protected] Chair: VACANT 5 CONSERVATION ECOLOGY SYSTEMATICS & EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY Chair: Chris Distel Chair: Andrea B. Jensen Schreiner University Hardin-Simmons University [email protected] [email protected] Vice-Chair: Troy A. Ladine Vice-Chair: Alicia Kennedy East Texas Baptist University University of Texas Austin [email protected] [email protected] TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY & MANAGEMENT Co-Chair: Richard Patrock Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and Water Conservation District GRADUATE ACADEMY COUNCELOR [email protected] Jason Locklin Temple College Co-Chair: Travis LaDuc [email protected] University of Texas [email protected] 6 Texas Academy of Science Sponsors for 2014 Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund Stacy L.