Amanda Southwood Williard

Research in the Williard Lab at UNCW focuses on marine reptile physiology and behavior in response to natural and anthropogenic changes in the environment. My research interests range from the diving and thermal physiology of sea turtles to conservation physiology and endangered species management. I received my graduate training at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada and spent my post-doctoral years at the NOAA Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. I established my research program and began teaching courses on Animal Physiology and Herpetology at UNCW in 2005. My students and I value the role that objective scientific research plays in the conservation of threatened and endangered species, and work with collaborators in government, academia, and non-profit organizations to promote sound management strategies based on the best available data.

Education

B.S. in Marine Biology, Auburn University (1993)
M.S. in Zoology, University of British Columbia (1997)
Ph.D. in Zoology, University of British Columbia (2002)

Specialization in Teaching

Animal Physiology (BIO345)
Environmental Physiology (BIO445)
Herpetology (BIO354)
Marine Megafauna (BIO206)

Research Interests

Conservation Physiology
Diving Physiology
Thermal Biology
Energetics
Osmoregulation
Marine Conservation
Fisheries Bycatch

Professional Service

International Sea Turtle Society Board of Directors
UNCW Faculty Engagement and Outreach Committee
UNCW Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
UNCW Department of Biology and Marine Biology Graduate Coordinator and Chair of the Graduate Advisory Committee
UNCW Department of Biology and Marine Biology Reptile and Amphibian Collection Curator
UNCW Internship Coordinator for the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center

Community Engagement

UNCW Marine Quest (Sea Gems, Turtle Trek)
UNCW Osher Lifelong Learning Center

Honors & Awards

UNCW Distinguished Teaching Professorship
UNCW James F. Merritt Million Dollar Club