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ASU Biology Prof Receives Research Grant

November 03, 2010

Dr. Robert Dowler, the Tippett Professor of Biology at Angelo State University, has received a $10,000 ASU President’s Circle grant to continue mentoring student-led research involving various small West Texas mammals.

The grant monies will be used to fund a research assistantship for a graduate student and to offset travel expenses for students conducting research projects from Dowler’s study site on a private ranch about 20 miles from the ASU campus.

Over the past five years, Dowler has overseen graduate and undergraduate student research projects on the ecology of ringtails and two uncommon species of skunks found in the Concho Valley. Research activities include trapping the animals and fitting them with radio collars, then photographing and monitoring them utilizing 25 game cameras stationed at various locations on the private ranch.

Currently, Dowler’s team consists of four graduate students conducting research for their master’s theses and one undergraduate student researcher. Since Dowler started the program, five graduate students have completed master’s theses on skunk biology, numerous undergraduate students have participated in various research projects and the group has produced six articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

While the President’s Circle grant is the latest source for Dowler’s program, he has also received external grants from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the James A. “Buddy” Davidson Foundation of Midland.

Originally created as the Honorary Alumni Association in 1967, the President’s Circle is dedicated to helping advance the mission of ASU. President’s Circle members include alumni, faculty, staff, community/business leaders and friends of ASU who contribute $1,000 or more annually to provide the university with the discretionary funds critical to reacting immediately to challenges and opportunities while providing an excellent education to ASU students.