Biology : SURF Program Description

Dr. Theodora Pinou

Professor
Science Building 242 
PinouT@wcsu.edu
203-837-8793

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Pinou is a professor of Biology at WCSU, and a Curatorial Affiliate in Vertebrate Zoology at the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University. She received her BA, MA, and Ph.D at New York University in Biology, with a focus in vertebrate evolution and ecology.

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Theodora Pinou is interested in the evolution and conservation of amphibians and reptiles, and maintains an active sea turtle conservation program that looks at the relationships between sea turtles and the invertebrates that ride them as they swim in the ocean from nesting to feeding grounds. She is a research partner at The Leatherback Trust, and works closely with scientists at the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University. Her research has led her to be part of a team that has described new invertebrate species and illuminated little known relationships between these new species and sea turtles. Her students have interned at museums, field stations, and preserves such as the Great Hollow Nature Center, New Fairfield CT. She is currently working with the Candlewood Lake Authority and CT DEEP on monitoring the movements of sterile grass carp in Candlewood Lake to determine if the fish maintain milfoil bed fidelity, and hopes to contribute to finding novel ways to biologically control invasive non-native species.

SURF PRIMARY SETTING
Field and laboratory

SKILLS TO BE ACQUIRED DURING FELLOWSHIP
The SURF fellow will learn to identify Connecticut fish, aquatic plants, and use radio telemetry to track carp and map their positions.

SKILLS REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FELLOWSHIP IN THIS LAB
The SURF fellow must have knowledge of swimming. Red cross certification is preferred, but any other documentation to show that the Fellow can swim will be accepted. A highly motivated and interested student that can’t swim but is interested in working with Pinou can register to take swim lessons at the university pool or local YMCA (costs covered) prior to the start of the research fellowship.

FELLOWSHIP DATES
Contact faculty member for availability.

Program Description

Eligibility

Application

Former SURF Fellows

Faculty Mentors