Andrea Ward | Faculty Profiles | Adelphi University

Diplomas/Degrees

PhD, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2005)

BS, Wake Forest University (2000)

Recent Courses

Functional Morphology Experience

Guided Research Functional Morphology

Guided Research: Functional Morphology

Guided Research: Capstone Functional Morphology

Special Research Problems Functional Morphology

Specialization/Interests

Vertebrate Anatomy
Developmental Biology
Evolution

Research Interests

In my research, I incorporate the fields of evolutionary biology, functional morphology, and developmental biology. Specifically, I am interested in the evolution of the elongate body form in fishes. My lab examines the developmental origin of body elongation as well as the effect of body elongation on locomotion.

International Experience

I taught in the Adelphi in Australia program between 2010-2015.

Articles

K. L. Ackerly and A. B. Ward (2016), How temperature-induced variation in musculoskeletal anatomy affects escape performance and survival of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Journal of Experimental Zoology, 325, 25-40.

Collar, D. C., M. Quintero, B. Buttler, A. B. Ward, and R. S. Mehta (2016), Body shape transformation along a shared axis of anatomical evolution in labyrinth fishes (Anabantoidei). Evolution, 70, 555-567.

K. L. Ackerly and A. B. Ward (2015), Linking vertebral number to performance of aquatic escape responses in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). Zoology, 118, 394-402.

A. B. Ward, A. Costa, S. L. Monroe, R. J. Aluck, and R. S. Mehta (2015), Locomotion in elongate fishes: A contact sport. Zoology, 118, 312-319.

A. B. Ward and R. S. Mehta (2014), Differential occupation of axial morphospace. Zoology, 117, 70-76.

Collar, D. C., C. M. Reynaga, A. B. Ward, and R. S. Mehta (2013), A revised metric for quantifying body shape in vertebrates. Zoology, 116, 246-257.

N. Danos and A. B. Ward (2012), The homology and origins of intermuscular bones in fishes: phylogenetic or biomechanical determinants? Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 106, 607-622.

A. B. Ward and N. J. Kley (2012), Effects of Precaudal Elongation on Visceral Topography in a Basal Clade of Ray-Finned Fishes. Anatomical Record, 295, 289-297.

G. Dalgin, A.B. Ward, L.T. Hao, C.E. Beattie, A. Nechiporuk, and V.E. Prince (2011), Zebrafish mnx1 controls cell fate choice in the developing endocrine pancreas. Development, 138, 4597-4608.

R.S. Mehta, A.B. Ward, M.E. Alfaro, P.C. Wainwright (2010), Body elongation in eels. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 50, 1091-1105.

Ward, A.B. and R.S. Mehta (2010), Axial elongation in fishes: Using morphological aproached to elucidate developmental mechanisms in studying body shape. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 50, 1106-1119.

M.D. Kinkel, E.M. Sefton, Y. Kikuchi, T. Mizoguchi, A.B. Ward, and V.E. Prince (2009), Cyp26 enzymes function in endoderm to regulate pancreatic field size. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 106, 7864-7869.

A.B. Ward and E.L.Brainerd (2007), Evolution of axial patterning in elongate fishes. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 90, 97-116.

A.B. Ward, R.M. Warga, and V.E. Prince (2007), Origin of the zebrafish endocrine and exocrine pancreas. Developmental Dynamics, 236, 1558-1569.

A.B. Ward and E. Azizi (2004), Convergent evolution of the head retraction escape response in elongate fishes and amphibians. Zoology, 107, 205-217.

A.B. Ward, P.D. Weigl, and R.M. Conroy (2002), Functional morphology of raptor hindlimbs: Implications for resource partitioning. Auk, 119, 1052-1063.

Ward, A. B. and C. N. Horn (1998), A status survey of Dirca palustris L. (leatherwood, Thymelaeaceae) in South Carolina. Castanea, 63, 165-173.

Conference Presentations

D. C. Collar, A. B. Ward, and R. S. Mehta (2015). Anatomical beaded of body shape diversification in labyrinth fishes. In Society of Integrate and Comparative Biology. West Palm Beach, FL.

A. Costa, R. S. Mehta, A. B. Ward (2015). Elongation enables aquatic and terrestrial locomotion. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. West Palm Beach, FL.

S. A. Friedrich, K. M. Claeson, S. Lee, and A. B. Ward (2014). The effects of varying temperature and retinoid acid on vertebral processes in zebrafish, Danio rerio. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Austin, TX.

K. L. Ackerly and A. B. Ward (2014). The role of vertebral morphology in a fish east fish world. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Austin, TX.

Andrea Ward and Kerri Ackerly (2013). Variation in vertebral number: Causes and Consequences. In International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology. Barcelona, Spain.

Kate Galloway, Rita Mehta, and Andrea Ward (2013). Documenting the mechanisms of elongation across Ophidiiformes. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. San Francisco, CA.

Kerri Ackerly and Andrea Ward (2013). Determining the relationship between vertebral morphology and burst swimming performance. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. San Francisco, CA.

Claire Flynn, Kevin Jagnandan, Christopher Sanford, and Andrea Ward (2012). Kinematics and muscle activity patterns of two distinct escape behaviors in South American lungfish. In American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Vancouver, Canada.

Crystal Reynaga, David Collar, Andrea Ward, and Rita Mehta (2012). A revised metric to quantify body shape diversity in vertebrates. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Charleston, SC.

Robert Aluck and Andrea Ward (2012). Fish out of water: Evaluating the use of substrate during terrestrial excursions. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Charleston, SC.

Kerri Ackerly and Andrea Ward (2012). More of a good thing: the positive relationship between vertebral number and performance. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Charleston, SC.

N. Danos and A.B. Ward (2011). Effects of body shape on myoseptal tendon ossfication in teleost fishes. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Salt Lake City, Utah.

M.A. Hamilton and A.B. Ward (2011). Determining the relationship between temperature, somite development, and the genetics of somitogenesis in zebrafish (Danio rerio). In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Salt Lake City, Utah.

C. M. Rade and A.B. Ward (2011). Functional fin morphology of aquatic substrate-based locomotion in ogcocephalid fishes (Lophiiformes:Ogcocephalidae). In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Salt Lake City, Utah.

A.B. Ward and R.S. Mehta (2010). Axial elongation in fishes: Using morphological approaches to elucidate developmental mechanisms in studying body shape. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Seattle, Washington.

C.M. Rade and A.B. Ward (2010). Evolution of fin size and morphology in otophysan fishes. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Seattle, Washington.

R.S Mehta, A.B. Ward, M.E. Alfaro, and P.C. Wainwright (2010). Morphological correlates to the evolution of elongation in elopomorph fishes. In Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Seattle, Washington.

Grants

2014. Adelphi University President's Faculty Development Grant. Impacts of Changing Temperatures on Locomotion in Trout ($2800).

2012. Adelphi University President's Faculty Development Grant.Influence of Changing Temperatures on Predator Success Rate ($1500).

2010. Adelphi University President's Faculty Development Grant. Salamanders on Ice: The Effects on Water Temperature on Somite Number in Axolotls ($5000).

2009. Bettleheim Research Award, Adelphi University, Role of Variation in Vertebral Number on Escape Performance in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) ($1200).

2008. Adelphi University President's Faculty Development Grant. Evolution of Elongation in Fishes ($5000).

2008. New York State Excelsior Scholar Program Grant. Co-PIs: Gary Schechter, Beth Christensen, Lee Stemkoski, Andrea Ward. Provided funds to support 2-week science and math program for 7th grade students on the Adelphi University campus in July 2008 ($52,390)

Honors and Accomplishments

ODK Academic Advisor Award (2015)

Professional Activities

Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology:
Secretary, Division of Comparative Biolomechanics (2014-present); Public Affairs Committee (2009-2013)

Fish Expert Jamaica Bay BioBlitz (2009)

Fish Expert Meadowbrook BioBlitz (2008)

Peer reviewer for Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Current Biology, Environmental Biology of Fishes, Evolution, Functional Ecology, IBIS, Integrative and Comparative Biology, Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal of Morphology, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, The Wilson Bulletin, The Open Zoology Journal, and Zoology.