SFA Gardens Lecture Series to feature expert on frogs, snakes, turtles
October 8, 2013
Dr. Matthew Kwiatkowski, SFA professor of biology
Dr. Matthew Kwiatkowski, SFA professor of biology, will present "Critters that Slither and Hop in Your Garden: The Reptiles and Amphibians of East Texas."
Kwiatkowski joined the SFA faculty seven years ago and teaches herpetology, comparative vertebrate biology, field ecology and fundamentals of zoology. His research focuses on conservation of reptiles and amphibians, as well as the signals they use in mating behavior. He is currently working with federal and state agencies and zoos around the country on the population genetics of Louisiana Pine Snakes, a candidate species for federal protection. He also is working with U.S. Forest Service biologists to investigate declines in amphibian populations. He serves on the SFA Faculty Senate and University Research Council and is acting as adviser to the university's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Research and Learning Center.
A native of Las Cruces, N.M., Kiatkowsi obtained his Bachelor of Science in biology from New Mexico State University. He has a Master of Arts in biology from the University of South Dakota and a Ph.D. in biology from Arizona State University.
The Theresa and Les Reeves Garden Lecture Series is usually held the third Thursday of each month at the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture's SFA Mast Arboretum. A plant raffle will be held after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves lecture series endowed fund always are appreciated.
For more information, call (936) 468-1832 or email ggrantgardens@yahoo.com.