Dr. Justin Merry

Education

• B.S., Ohio University (2001)
• M.S., Ohio University (2001)
• Ph.D., Arizona State University (2008)

Biography

Dr. Merry grew up near Cincinnati, Ohio and completed his undergraduate and master's degree at Ohio University. From there, he attended Arizona State University for his Ph.D., where he studied the evolution of compound eyes under Dr. Ronald Rutowski. He joined the faculty of Saint Francis University in 2008, and has taught a variety of courses. These are highlighted by BIOL 208 Animal Behavior and NEUR 279 Introduction to Neuroscience. He also regularly teaches Introductory Biology (BIOL 111) and Human Anatomy & Physiology (BIOL 205/206).

Dr. Merry's research interests are focused on sensory systems, behavior, and their interplay through animal communication. His current research investigates the impact of anthropogenic noise on communication in song sparrows. Specifically, he and his students are evaluating whether birds sing different songs, or sing their songs at different pitches, when faced with significant background noise from traffic, building fans, lawn mowers, or similar noise pollution. This work involves both field work to capture songs as well as computer-based quantitative analysis of recordings. In another project, he and a student are monitoring the impact of gas station construction near a local wetland and bird biodiversity hotspot. Past research students in his lab have pursued a variety of other projects. These have included the effects of dietary manipulation and crowding on insect eye development, color change in Anolis lizards, the effects of herbicide on amphibian development, soft drink-induced enamel decay, sea urchin visual acuity, inferences of eye performance among extinct hominids, and larval damselfly diversity in acid mine drainage sites.

Dr. Merry is a member of the American Ornithological Society, the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, and the Animal Behavior Society. His hobbies include birding, hiking, cycling, swimming, and beginner guitar. He lives in Duncansville and has two daughters.

Courses Taught

• BIOL 111 - Biology I
• BIOL 111L - Biology I Lab
• BIOL 205 - Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 205L - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
• BIOL 206 - Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIOL 206L - Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
• BIOL 208 - Animal Behavior
• BIOL 208L - Animal Behavior Lab
• BIOL 322 - Field Biology
• BIOL 412 - Special Topics in Biology: The Biology of Human Health
• NEUR 279 - Introduction to Neuroscience
• NEUR 450 - Neuroscience Seminar
• SCI 101 - Science for Active Citizenship