Research Interests

My primary research interest is in how interactions between predator species influence a prey’s risk of predation and how prey antipredator defenses influence risk of predation when multiple predator species are present.  Most of my research has focused on stream invertebrates and fish, but I have also conducted research on biodiversity and productivity patterns in Puerto Rican forests, allelopathic interactions between aquatic plants, and the potential health benefits of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables.

Educational Interests

I am very interested in scientific teaching and making science more accessible to all students (both majors and non-majors).  In addition, I try to encourage middle and high school students to pursue training in the sciences through participation in science fairs, Science Olympiad, and as a board member of the North Carolina Student Academy of Science.

Background

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Texas Tech University, 2003-2004

Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003

B.A., Biology, Wittenberg University, 1997

Vance, H.D. and D.A. Francko.  1997.  Allelopathic potential ofNelumbo lutea (Willd.) Pers. to alter growth of Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton pectinatus.   Journal of Freshwater Ecology 12(3):405-409.

Soluk, D.A., J.A. Steinmetz, J. Sandberger, L.L. Zuehls, H.D. Vance-Chalcraft, and K.L. Moss.  2003.  Black Partridge Creek Water Quality Assessment 1994-2002.  Final Report:  Aquatic Ecology Report 03/04.  Illinois Natural History Survey.

Vance-Chalcraft, H.D., D.A. Soluk, and N. Ozburn.  2004.  Is prey predation risk influenced more by increasing predator density or predator species richness in stream enclosures?  Oecologia 139:117-122.

Vance-Chalcraft, H.D. and D.A. Soluk.  2005.  Estimating the prevalence and strength of non-independent predator effects.  Oecologia 146: 452-460.

Vance Chalcraft, H.D. and D.A. Soluk.  2005.  Multiple predator effects result in risk reduction for the prey across multiple prey densities.  Oecologia 144: 472-480.

Vance-Chalcraft, H.D., J.A. Rosenheim, J.R. Vonesh, C.W. Osenberg, and A. Sih.  2007.  The influence of intraguild predation on prey suppression and prey release:  a meta-analysis.  Ecology 88 (11):2689-2696.

Courses Taught at ECU

Biology 1050 (General Biology for non-majors)

Biology 1200 (Introductory Biology II for majors)

Biology 2250 (General Ecology)

Biology 2800 (Biological Instruction, a training course for Biology Undergraduate assistants)

Professional Memberships

American Society of Naturalists

Ecological Society of America

National Association of Biology Teachers

National Science Teachers Association

North American Benthological Society

Sigma Xi

Link to my personal web page: www.personal.ecu.edu/vancechalcrafth/