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Education
08/2014-Present

09/2009-05/2013

Nicholas A. Huron
2916 Pinecrest Court Norman, OK 73071
(484) 554-1530 nahuron@ou.edu nahuron@gmail.com
M.S. in Biology May 2016 (Anticipated)
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
Member of Cameron Siler Lab
B.S. in Biology May 2013
Magna Cum Laude (3.750 Cumulative GPA)
Pepperdine University, Malibu, California

Research Experience
Graduate School
05/2014-Present
Masters Student, Cameron Siler Lab
- Thesis: Community Assembly of a Morphologically Diverse Skink Genus (Brachymeles)
- Study of the biodiversity and systematics of the Philippines, especially of herpetofauna
- Curation of specimens/tissues for research in the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History

Undergraduate School
01/2013-05/2014
Research Student, Rodney Honeycutt Lab
- Use genetic lab techniques to analyze population phylogeography
- Study of local populations of Taricha torosa

11/2009-05/2014
Research Student, Lee Kats Lab
- Work in behavioral ecology of organisms in the streams of the Santa Monica Mountains (SMM) and
the rainforest of the La Selva Research Station in Costa Rica
- Regular field surveying of the streams in the SMM for USGS and State Park Services and
corresponding data entry
- Annual presentation of current research at SCCUR (see below for list)

Professional Experience
07/2015-Present
Curatorial Assistant: Herpetology, Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History
- Conduct relabeling of specimens to update collection taxonomy
- Survey, collect, and process specimens for deposition in collection
- Subsample and prepare tissues for infectious disease screening
- Entry/validation of specimen data (morphology, locality, etc.) into collection database
06/2015-07/2015
Curatorial Assistant: Mammalogy, Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History
- Inventory/validate records for current specimens in the mammal collection
- Entry of specimen data (morphology, locality, etc.) into collection database

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11/2013-05/2014
Administrative Assistant: Pepperdine University
- Assist the Vice Provost for Research and Strategic Initiatives in the implementation of the Waves of
Innovation research funding program
- Review various research proposals, scientific presentations, and official University documents
before submission to university offices and external review committees
- Interact with various high profile University members and coordinate meetings between different
committees and the Vice Provost
05/2013-05/2014
Lab/Research Assistant: Pepperdine University
- Organize, recruit colleagues, and carry out annual stream surveys of SMM streams
- Review professional articles prior to submission to journals
- Compile and revise written data sheets into a central database of amphibian surveys that began in
1991 so that empirical conclusions may be drawn from these data
- Meet weekly with supervisor (Dr. Lee Kats) to discuss further research projects and concurrently
conduct them with faculty and students
05/2013-11/2013
Restoration Ecologist: Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT)
- Head up the invasive crayfish removal project (CRP) at Tapia Park (Malibu Creek)
- Lead invasive species education side project which aims to reach 1000 students through live feed
video/in person education of stream ecology/invasive species
- Lead field teams of volunteers to trap, characterize, and remove invasive Procambarus clarkii, as
well as assess/improve the efficacy of the project
- Manage the CRP data set and collaborate with local scientists on research avenues
- Assist other MRT projects including removal of invasive vegetation
09/2009-04/2013
Office Assistant: Pepperdine University Seaver Deans Office
- Tasks include: answering phones, greeting visitors (e.g. prospective students), stuffing envelopes for
mailings, filing/scanning pertinent documents (including high confidentiality files)
- Help prepare for events held by the deans office, including faculty and research award ceremonies
- Facilitate the aforementioned events and provide technical support (A/V) for presentations

Research Interests
- Community Ecology
- Biodiversity and Systematics
- Conservation Biology
- Herpetology
- Tropical Ecology
Teaching Experience
01/2015-05/2015
Teaching Assistant: Human Physiology, University of Oklahoma (~20 hrs/wk)
- Instructor for two labs (c. 50 students) focused on foundations of physiology
- Hold weekly office hours to help review content with and mentor students
- Substitute for professor on record for lecture during research trips

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08/2014-12/2014
Teaching Assistant: Introductory Zoology, University of Oklahoma (~20 hrs/wk)
- Instructor for two labs (60 students) covering foundational topics in biology
- Hold weekly office hours to help review content with and mentor students
- Lead weekly open labs to assist students in understanding lab techniques

01/2013-04/2013; 01/2012-04/2012; 09/2010-04/2011
Teaching Assistant: Cellular Biology, Pepperdine University (4-6 hrs/wk)
- Assisted professor in laboratory preparations and aided students (15-20
- per lab section) as necessary both in and out of class
- Graded lab quizzes, assignments, and notebooks

09/2012-12/2012
Teaching Assistant: Introduction to Ecology, Pepperdine University (6-8 hrs/wk)
- Critiqued and assisted students in experimental design of term research projects
- Facilitated lab field trips, including assisting the professor by leading discussion/lecturing on
topics and driving university vehicles to sites
09/2011-12/2012
Student Mentor: Keck Research Seminar Program, Pepperdine Univ. (4-6 hrs/wk)
- Pioneered the brand-new KRS Program as a first generation seminar mentor and continue to provide
regular feedback/suggestions
- Lectured on ecology of SMM and held weekly office hours to further help students with class
registration, course material, and experimental design
09/2010-04/2011
Tutor: General Chemistry, Pepperdine University (3-4 hrs/wk)
- Helped students biweekly with assigned homework problems and exam preparation
- Advised individual students with course selection and planning
Awards and Honors
2013
2012-2013
2011-2013
2011-2012
Spring/Fall 2010
Spring 2010

Selection for Whos Who in American Universities and Colleges

Blanche E. Seaver Faculty Scholarship
Natural Science Award (scholarship from Natural Science Division)
Pepperdine University Seaver College Faculty/Staff Scholarship
Seaver College Deans List
Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society

Skills
Lab/Field Work
- Amphibian/reptile field collection (destructive/non-destructive tissue sampling, specimen
preparation, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis/ranavirus swabbing, eDNA collection)
- Practical knowledge of standard ecological survey techniques (e.g., Stream Health Biotic Index)
- Amphibian/Reptile care, especially Dendrobatidae (anuran) husbandry
- Lab safety protocol and general lab technique knowledge (spectrophotometer, reagent dilution,
micropipette, gel analysis, and basic chemistry lab equipment)

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Computer
- Competence in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint
- Knowledge of presentation techniques and set-up of A/V equipment and projectors
- Proficiency in document copier and scanning equipment
- Proficiency in the R statistics program
Language
- Proficiency in conversational German

Publications
Davis, DR, Sanguila, MB, Brown, JC, Brown, RM, Cobb, KA, Begmann, P, Morinaga, G, Huron, NA,
Watters, JL, Siler, CD. Accepted, in press. Natural History Notes: Pseudogekko ditoy (Leyte Diminutive
False Gecko) Morphology. Herpetological Review.
Davis DR, Watters, JL, Khler G, Whitsett C, Huron NA, Brown RM, Diesmos AC, Siler, CD. In
press. Redescription of the rare Philippine slender gecko Pseudogekko brevipes (Reptilia: Squamata:
Gekkonidae) and describtion of a new species. Zootaxa.
Heitz, BB, Ellsworth, ED, Huron, NA, Geheber, AD, Siler, CD. In review. Geographic Distribution:
Sonora semiannulata (Variable Groundsnake). Herpetological Review.
Huron NA, Realubit, NDC, Cobb, KA, Brown, JC, Bergmann, P, Morinaga, G, Diesmos, AC,
Diesmos, ML, Brown, RM, Siler, CD. In review. Discovery of new island populations of the recently
described False Geckos (Pseudogekko pungkaypinit and Pseudogekko ditoy): Conservation implications
for the eastern Philippines. Herpetological Review.
Sanguila, MB, Realubit, NDC, Diesmos, ML, Lorenzo II, A, De Layola, A, Brown, JC, Cobb, KA,
Bergmann, P, Morinaga, G, Freitas, ES, Huron, NA, Watters, JL. In review. Geographic Distribution:
Pelophryne lighti (Mindanao Flathead Toad). Herpetological Review.
Realubit, NDC, Diesmos, ML, Lorenzo II, A, De Layola, A, Diesmos, AC, Brown, JC, Brown, RM,
Cobb, KA, Bergmann, P, Morinaga, G, Siler, CD, Huron, NA, Siler, JM. 2015. Geographic Distribution:
Draco Mindanensis (Mindanao Flying Lizard). Herpetological Review, 46:216.
Presentations
Huron, NA, Brown, RM, Siler, CD. Community Assembly of a Morphologically Diverse Skink Genus
(Brachymeles). Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Meeting, University of Kansas
(Lawrence, Kansas). July 2015. *See Small Research Grants and Awards, Henri C. Seibert Award.
Sokolova, A, Huron, NA, Reimer, A, Bucciarelli, G, Kats, LB. Effects of Tetrodotoxin on New
Zealand Mud Snails. Southern California Conference of Undergraduate Research (SCCUR), Whittier
College (Whittier, California). November 2013.
Huron, NA, Kats, LB, Bucciarelli, G. A Comparison of Auditory and Visual Cues in the Territorial
Behavior of the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog (Oophaga pumilio). SCCUR, California State University
Channel Islands (Camarillo, California). November 2012.
Uemura, E, Buie, JM, Huron, NA. Effects of Chemical Cues from California Newts (Taricha torosa)
on an Invasive Species (Procambarus clarkii). SCCUR, Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut, California).
November 2011.

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Mattiasen, E, Chowaniec, A, Sutter, C, Huron, NA, Liao, J, Lee, A, Graham, A, Thompson, C,

Bucciarelli, G, and Kats, LB. Vulnerability of Native Caddisflies to Invasive Crayfish in the Santa
Monica Mountains. SCCUR, Pepperdine University (Malibu, California). November 2010.
Sanders, A, Uemura, E, Mattiasen, E, Hwang, C, Huron, NA, Sutter, C, Chisum, P, Graham, A, Buie,
J, Bucciarelli, G, Vandergon, T, Honeycutt, R, Fisher, R, and Kats, LB. The Influence of Flood Events on
the Long-term Coexistence of Native Amphibians and Invasive Crayfish. SCCUR, Pepperdine University
(Malibu, California). November 2010.
Small Research Grants and Awards
Summer 2015 Henri C. Seibert Award (Ecology), SSAR $200.00
Spring 2015
L. G. Hill Zoology Excellence Fund $475.00
Large Research Grants and Fellowships
Community Assembly of a Morphologically Diverse Skink Genus: Do Legs Really Matter?
National Science Foundation: Graduate Research Fellowship ($44,000/year for three years); November
2015; In preparation (planned submission).
Professional Memberships
01/2013-Present
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)
01/2015-Present
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)
01/2015-Present
The Herpetologists League (HL)
Extracurricular Activities and Service
02/2011-Present
Sigma Phi Epsilon national social fraternity (alumnus)
- Member of the Cal Psi chapter
- Vice President of Recruitment (2012 calendar year)
- Semesterly trips to build homes in Tecate, Mexico (Club Dust)
- Annual philanthropy, SigEp State to benefit YouthAIDS
09/2009-05/2013
Pepperdine University GreenTeam
- Member and volunteer
- Part of the inaugural Trayless Tuesday event that continues to increase environmental awareness

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References
Dr. Cameron Siler
Assistant Professor and Assistant Curator of Herpetology
University of Oklahoma/Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH)
2401 Chautauqua Ave
Norman, OK 73072-7029
Tel: (405) 325-3718
Camsiler@ou.edu
Dr. Lee Kats
Vice Provost for Research and Stategic Initiatives
Associate Dean for Research, Seaver College
Professor of Biology, Natural Science Division
Pepperdine University, Seaver College
24255 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90263
Tel: (310) 506-4501
Lee.kats@pepperdine.edu
Dr. Rodney Honeycutt
Chairperson/Professor of Biology, Natural Science Division
Pepperdine University, Seaver College
24255 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90263
Tel: (310) 506-4879
Rodney.honeycutt@pepperdine.edu