Education:
BS, 1991, Life Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology
MS, 1994: Biology, Missouri State University
PhD, 1998, Ecology and Evolution, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Research Interests:
Harvestmen behavior, amphibian and reptile population ecology, scorpion behavior
Areas of Expertise:
Ecology, evolution, arachnology, herpetology, behavioral ecology
Courses Taught:
Introduction to Life Sciences (non-majors), General Biology II, Research and Writing, Invertebrate Zoology, Intro to Evolution (non-majors), Evolution, General Ecology
Publications:
Guffey, C., V. R. Townsend, Jr., & B. E. Felgenhauer. 2000. External morphology and ultrastructure of the prehensile region of the legs of Leiobunum nigripes (Arachnida: Opiliones). Journal of Arachnology 28:231–236
Guffey, C. 1999. Costs associated with leg autotomy in harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones). Canadian Journal of Zoology 77:824–830
Guffey, C., J. G. MaKinster, & R. G. Jaeger. 1998. Familiarity affects interactions between potentially courting territorial salamanders. Copeia 1998:205–208
Guffey, C. 1998. Leg autotomy and its potential fitness costs for two species of harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones). Journal of Arachnology 26:296–302
In what ways have students participated in your special projects or conference presentations: I have mentored 43 undergraduate research projects at OLLU. Most recently I mentored a study of harvestmen conducted in Trinidad. Over the years I have had several students present their research at the annual Sigma Zeta national convention and I have had several McNair Scholars do their research under my supervision.
What has been your greatest success while teaching at Our Lady of the Lake University?
I know of at least two students who took my non-majors course and then decided to change their major to Biology because they enjoyed the course so much. One of these students is now in a very good graduate program. Another thing that gives me a great deal of satisfaction is encouraging students who are struggling and seeing them succeed. My single greatest success was identifying a student whom I thought showed a great deal of aptitude for graduate school. I encouraged him for several years to consider this option, and he eventually decided to do so. He is now in a very good graduate program where he is highly regarded by the faculty.
What do students like best about your classes?
Students in my classes know that I have high expectations and standards, but they also know that they will learn a great deal and that I try to make the classes fun, even though they are challenging.
Length of Service at OLLU?
I am in my 11th year at the Lake.
What are some of your former students doing now?
Numerous former students are in graduate programs, some are in medical schools, and many others are high school science teachers.