EDUCATION:

Boston University – Boston, MA (2003 – Present)

 Ph.D. Dissertation: Stress, reproduction and immunity in bridge- and cave-roosting Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis): Implications for Conservation

          Advisor: Professor Thomas H. Kunz

Boston University – Boston, MA (2003 – 2008)

           M.A. Biology

           Advisor: Professor Thomas H. Kunz

Michigan State University – East Lansing, MI (1996-2000)

          BS Zoology:  College of Natural Science and Honors College          

Advisor: Professor Richard Snider

 

ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:

Research Associate

            Boston University: Ecology of Rabies in Bats (September 2004-December 2007)

Research Associate

Boston University: Ecosystem services provided by the Brazilian free-tailed bat in Agroecosystems (January 2004 – November 2007)

Teaching Assistant

Boston University: Ecology (Spring 2008)

Boston University: Ecology (Fall 2004)

Boston University: Mammalian Ecology (Fall 2004)

Boston University: Ecology (Fall 2003)

Research Assistant and Field Technician:

North-east Ecological Services: Field Project in West Point, NY (06/2002 – 8/2002) 

Senior Keeper and Curatorial Assistant:

Detroit Zoological Institute, Detroit, MI. (10/2000 – 8/2003)

 

MATERIAL IN REVIEW OR PREPARATION:

Allen, L.C., A.S. Turmelle, M.T. Mendonca, K.J. Navara, T.H. Kunz, G.F. McCracken.  Roosting ecology is linked to variation in adaptive and innate immune system function in the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).  In review.

Reichard ,J.D., L. Gonzalez, C. Casey, L.C. Allen, N.I. Hristov, T.H. Kunz.  Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the evening emergence behavior of the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis). Submitted.

Allen, L.C. and T.H. Kunz. Comparison of birth size and postnatal growth rates in cave and bridge roosting Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis).  In preparation.

Allen, L.C., E.P. Widmaier, T.H. Kunz.  Baseline and stress-induced cortisol levels vary with reproductive activity and colony in the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis). In preparation. 


PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS:

Allen-Hristova L.C., E.P. Widmaier and T.H. Kunz  (2008) Chronic Stress in Bridge- and Cave-roosting Brazilian Free-tailed Bats: Assessing Cortisol Response to Hormonal Challenges.  Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), San Antonio, TX.

Allen L.C., E.P. Widmaier and T.H. Kunz  (2007) Seasonal and roost type variation in baseline and stress-induced cortisol levels in the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).  Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB). Phoenix, AZ.

Allen L.C., E.P. Widmaier and T.H. Kunz (2006) Variation in baseline and stress-induced cortisol levels in the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).  Ecology of Infectious Diseases NSF-NIH meeting, Atlanta, GA.

Allen L.C., T.H. Kunz, A.S. Turmelle, M.T. Mendonca, K. Navara and G.F. McCracken (2006) The Effects of Ecological and Energetic Trade-offs on Innate and Adaptive Immune System Function in The Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis). 36th North American Symposium on Bat Research (NASBR), Wilmington, NC.

Allen L.C., E.P. Widmaier and T.H. Kunz (2006) Variation in baseline and stress-induced cortisol levels in the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).  Boston University – Science and Engineering Day, Boston, MA.

Turmelle A.S., L.C. Allen, C. Schmaeman, and M.T. Mendonca (2006) Ecological Effects of Innate and Adaptive Immune Function in Brazilian Free-tailed Bats (Tadarida brasiliensis). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB). Orlando, FL.

Allen, L.C., E.P. Widmaier and T.H. Kunz (2005) A Comparison of Birth Size and Postnatal Growth Rates in Cave and Bridge Roosting Free-tailed Bats (Tadarida brasiliensis).  35th North American Symposium on Bat Research (NASBR), Sacramento, CA

Reichard, J., L.C. Allen, G.F. McCracken and T.H. Kunz (2004) That’s Good Guano: The Fertilization Services of the Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).  34th North American Symposium on Bat Research (NASBR), Salt Lake City, UT

 
GRANTS:

Boston University Graduate Student Organization 2007. Travel Grant ($500)

American Society of Mammalogist 2007. Grant in Aid of Research.  A Comparison of Stress Physiology in Bridge and Cave-roosting Brazilian Free-tailed Bats ($1500)

Boston University Biology Department 2006. Travel Grant ($500)


AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:  

Distinguished Presentation – 34th North American Symposium on Bat Research, Salt Lake City, UT (2004)

Dean’s List – College of Natural Sciences, Michigan State University (1996-2000).


PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

North American Symposium of Bat Research – Student Representative on Board of Directors (2006-2008)

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology - Division of Comparative Endocrinology, Division of Animal Behavior and Division of Ecology and Evolution

American Society of Mammalogists

Sigma Xi

Graduate Women in Science and Engineering