Thomas Luhring Ph.D.

My research investigates how organisms navigate fluctuating and often contrasting demands on life-history traits resulting from climate change under different ecological contexts (e.g., predation risk).  ​I approach ecological questions through a mixture of long-term field-based research, lab experiments, and mathematical modeling to refine and develop new theories of how organisms are and will continue to respond to climate change effects (e.g., drought, thermal regimes).​

• Instructor – Climate Change and Ectotherms, Graduate Student Seminar, University of Nebraska, Spring 2018 
• Instructor –R Stats Workshop, Undergraduate Workshop for REUs, Kellogg Biological Station, July 2015
• Instructor – Statistics for Ecologists, Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Summer 2015
• Instructor – Statistics for Ecologists, Michigan State University, Spring 2015 
• Instructor – Statistics for Ecologists (Lab), Michigan State University, Spring 2015
• Co-Instructor – Introduction to Science, Technology, Environment, and Public Policy, Michigan State University, Fall 2013
• Graduate Teaching Assistant – Biology (Introductory Biology: Majors), University of Missouri, Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 
• Graduate Laboratory Assistant – Biology (Introductory Biology: Majors),University of Georgia, Fall 2005 and Spring 2006                                                                                                                                                                                                             

• DeLong, JP, G Bachman, JP Gibert, TM Luhring,K Montooth, A Neyer,B Reed(2018)Habitat, latitude, and body mass influence the temperature dependence of metabolic rate.Biology Letters. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0442
• Luhring, TM, JM Vavra, CE Cressler, JP DeLong  (2018)Predators modify the temperature dependence of life-history trade-offs. Ecologyand EvolutionDOI: 10.1002/ece3.4381
• Relyea, RA, et al.(15^thof 25 authors)  (2018) Phylogenetic patterns of trait plasticity evolution: Insights from amphibian embryos. Evolution. DOI: 10.1111/evo.13428
• DeLong, JP, TM Luhring(2018)Size-dependent predation and correlated life history traits alter eco-evolutionary dynamics and selection for faster individual growth. Population Ecology. DOI: 10.1007/s10144-018-0608-7
• Luhring, TM, JP DeLong (2017) Scaling from metabolism to population growth rate to understand how acclimation temperature alters thermal performance.Integrative and Comparative Biology57:103-111. DOI: 10.1093/icb/icx041
• Luhring, TM, JP DeLong, RD Semlitsch (2017) Stoichiometry and life- history interact to determine the magnitude of cross-ecosystem element and biomass fluxes.Frontiers in Microbiology 8:814 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00814 (Special Research Topic: Progress in Ecological Stoichiometry)
• DeLong, JP, JP Gibert, TM Luhring, G Bachman, B Reed, A Neyer, KL Montooth (2017)The combined effects of reactant kinetics and enzyme stability explain the temperature dependence of metabolic rates. Ecology and Evolution  DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2955
• Luhring, TM,TD Meckley, JB Hume, N Johnson, M Siefkes, CM Wagner (2016) A semelparous fish continues upstream migration when exposed to alarm cue, but adjusts movement speed and timing.Animal Behaviour121:41-51
• Wagner, CM, KE Kierczynski, JB Hume, TM Luhring(2016) Exposure to a putative alarm cue reduces downstream drift in larval sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in the laboratory.Journal of Fish Biology89:1897-1904
• Luhring, TM,JP DeLong (2016) Predation changes the shape of thermal performance curves for population growth rate. Current Zoology62:501-505
• Luhring, TM, GC Connette, CM Schalk(2016) Trap characteristics and species morphology explain size-biased sampling of two salamander species. Amphibia-Reptilia37:79-89
• Luhring, TM, RM Holdo (2015) Trade-offs between age at reproduction and body size; drought survival in stochastic aquatic environments.Oecologia178:723-732.
• Hume, JB, TD Meckley, NS Johnson, TM Luhring, MJ Siefkes, CM Wagner (2015) Application of putative alarm cue hastens the arrival of invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) at a trapping location. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences72:1799-1806.
• Ousterhout, B.*, TM Luhring, RD Semlitsch (2014) No evidence of natal habitat preference induction in juveniles with complex life-histories. Animal Behaviour93:237-242 (*Equal Authorship)
• Luhring, TM (2013) Auditory surveys. In:GJ Graeter, KA Buhlmann, LR Wilkinson, JW Gibbons, eds. Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Reptiles and Amphibians, with application to the United States and Canada. PARC Technical Report. Aiken, South Carolina.
• Luhring, TM (2013) Leaf-litterbag surveys. In:GJ Graeter, KA Buhlmann, LR Wilkinson, JW Gibbons, eds. Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Reptiles and Amphibians, with application to the United States and Canada. PARC Technical Report. Aiken, South Carolina.
• Luhring, TM (2013)Trashcan traps. In:GJ Graeter, KA Buhlmann, LR Wilkinson, JW Gibbons, eds. Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Reptiles and Amphibians, with application to the United States and Canada. PARC Technical Report. Aiken, South Carolina.
• Reed, RN, TM Luhring, AD Tucker (2013) Appendix III: Determination of age, sex and reproductive condition. In:GJ Graeter, KA Buhlmann, LR Wilkinson, JW Gibbons, eds. Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Reptiles and Amphibians, with application to the United States and Canada. PARC Technical Report. Aiken, South Carolina.
• Luhring, TM, JW Gibbons, PW Gibbons (2013) Sirensp. predation. Herpetological Review44:491-492.
• Luhring, TM,ZD Ross(2012) Gastrophryne carolinensis(Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad).Predation. Herpetological Review43(1):118.
• Crawford, BA, CR Hickman, TM Luhring(2011) Testing the threat-sensitive hypothesis with predator familiarity and dietary specificity. Ethology117:1-8.
• Earl, JE, TM Luhring, BK Williams, RD Semlitsch (2011) Biomass export of salamanders and anurans from ponds is affected differentially by changes in canopy cover. Freshwater Biology56:2473-2482.
• Luhring, TM,JD Willson, CT Winne(2011)Nerodia fasciata. Inter-Wetland Movement. Herpetological Review42:100-101
• Schalk, CM, TM Luhring, BA Crawford(2010) Summer microhabitat use of the greater siren (Siren lacertina) and two-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma means) in an isolated wetland. Amphibia-Reptilia31:251-256.
• Schalk, CM, TM Luhring(2010) Vagility of aquatic salamanders: Implications for wetland connectivity. Journal of Herpetology44:104-109.
• Luhring, TM (2010) Siren sp (Siren) predation. Herpetological Review41:470
• Luhring, TM, BD Todd(2010) Siren intermedia(Lesser Siren). Drought survival. Herpetological Review41:60.
• Luhring, TM(2010) Predation by a Green Heron (Butorides virescens) on a Greater Siren (Siren lacertina). Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society45:33.
• Luhring, TM(2009) Using PIT tags to evaluate non-individual-specific marks under field conditions: a case study with Greater Siren (Siren lacertina). Herpetological Review40:170-173.
• Todd, BD, TM Luhring, BR Rothermel, JW Gibbons (2009)Effects of forest removal on amphibian migrations: implications for habitat and landscape connectivity.Journal of Applied Ecology46:554-561.
• Gibbons, JW, TM Luhring(2009)Reptiles. Pages 497-505. In:GE Likens, ed. Encyclopedia of Inland Waters. Volume 3. Oxford: Elsevier.
• Schalk, CM, BA Crawford, TM Luhring(2009)Siren lacertina(greater siren) Predation. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society44:56.
• Luhring, TM,CA Jennison(2008) A new stratified aquatic sampling technique for aquatic vertebrates. Journal of Freshwater Ecology23:445-450.
• Todd, BD,BR Rothermel, RN Reed, TM Luhring,K Schlatter, T Trenkamp, JW Gibbons (2008)Habitat alteration increases invasive fire ant abundance to the detriment of amphibians and reptiles. Biological Invasions10:539-546.
• Luhring, TM (2008)“Problem species” of the Savannah River Site such as Brimley’s chorus frog, Pseudacris brimleyi, demonstrate the hidden biodiversity concept on an intensively-studied government reserve. Southeastern Naturalist7:371-373.
• Luhring, TM(2007) Reptiles and amphibians of boy scout camp Linwood-Hayne: Results from an undergraduate-initiated three year opportunistic inventory. Georgia Journal of Science65:104-111.
• Luhring, TM, GW Barrett (2007) Nesting ecology of the golden mouse: An oikosengineer. Pages 151-165. In: GW Barrett, GA Feldhamer, eds. The Golden Mouse: Ecology and Conservation.Springer. New York, NY.
• Luhring, TM (2007)Siren lacertina(greater siren) Diet. Herpetological Review38:317.
• Luhring, TM,CA Young(2006) Innovative techniques for sampling stream salamanders.  Herpetological Review37:181-183.
• Darley, M, A Howard, C Flaute, K Miller, TM Luhring,L Martin, C Ketter (2006) A laboratory manual for principals of biology II: Biology 1108L. Fourth Edition. Contemporary Publishing Company of Raleigh. Raleigh, NC.
• Rothermel, BR, TM Luhring(2005) Burrow availability and desiccation risk of mole salamanders (Ambystoma talpoideum) in harvested versus unharvested forest stands. Journal of Herpetology39:619-626.                                                                                                                                                                  

• 2019 - Present. Assistant Professor, Wichita State University 
• 2015-2019. Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Nebraska             
• 2013-2015. Postdoctoral Research Associate, Michigan State University                                                                                                                                    

• 2015-2019       Population Biology Program of Excellence Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Nebraska (~$180,000) 
• 2014               Great Lakes Resotoration Initiative Grant-Implementing Trap-based control of Sea Lamprey in the Great Lakes. U.S. Environtmental Protection   Agency 2014 ($495,000) (Co-PI)
• 2014                Undergraduate Research Program – Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources ($2,000) (with Katie E. Kierczynski)
• 2013                Grant - Proof-of concept test of larval sea lamprey responses to alarm cue. Great Lakes Fisheries Commission 2013 ($10,000) (Co-PI)
• 2012                Student Research Grant – South Atlantic Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists ($750)
• 2012                Henri Seibert Award – Best student oral presentation in Ecology,  World Congress of Herpetology, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
• 2011                Travel Award  - Biology Graduate Student Association, University of Missouri ($211)
• 2010                Trans-World Airlines Scholarship – University of Missouri ($7,000)
• 2009                First Year Travel Award – Life Sciences Fellowship Program, University of Missouri ($700)
• 2008-2013       Life Sciences Doctoral Fellowship – Biological Sciences, University of Missouri 2008-2013 (~$110,000 + tuition)
• 2008                Graduate Research Award Finalist – Herpetologists’ League (Finalist for best oral presentation by graduate student)
• 2007                Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund – American Museum of Natural History, $2000
• 2005                Joshua Laerm Academic Support Award – Georgia Museum of Natural History ($600)
• 2005                Joshua Laerm Memorial Outstanding Ecology Undergraduate Award – Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia
• 2004                Research Experience for Undergraduates – National Science Foundation
• 2000-2004       H.O.P.E. Scholarship – Georgia Student Finance Commission (~$12,000)                

• Guest Editor, Southeastern Naturalist, 2010-2011
• Conference Chair, Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference (SEEC), 2005

• Reviewer: American Midland Naturalist • Amphibia-Reptilia • Applied Herpetology • Belgian Journal of Zoology • Canadian Field-Naturalist • Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences • Copeia • Current Opinion in Insect Science • Diversity and Distributions • Ecology and Evolution • Functional Ecology • Herpetologica • Herpetological Conservation and Biology • Herpetological Review • Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science • Landscape Ecology • Northeastern Naturalist • Oikos • Population Ecology • Proceedings of the Royal Society B • Southeastern Naturalist

• Member: Association for Women in Science (AWIS) • Ecological Society of America (ESA) National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) • Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)

• Outreach Presenter:  Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Outreach Program. 2004 – 2012. Gave presentations on conservation and natural history of reptiles, amphibians and mammals with live animals to general public at schools (K-12 and University Level), libraries, churches, etc.  Approximately 60 talks to >5,200 individuals.

• Mentorship:  I have directly mentored or supervised more than 30 undergraduates including 2 REU students(1 REU for 2 summers), resulting in 8 co-authored publications (4 with undergraduates as lead authors) and presentations by undergraduate mentees at the university, national, and international level. One of my former mentees (Christopher Schalk) is now an assistant professor at Stephen F. Austin University.  

Education