Curriculum Vitae

Educational History
Ph.D.    Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
2018-Present
Dissertation Title: Impacts of Climate Change on Mammalian Species of Concern within the Appalachian Ecoregion
Committee: Monica Papes (Advisor), Orou Gaoue, Charles Kwit, Brian O'Meara

M.S.      Geosciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
2017
Thesis Title: Niche Modeling for the Giant Panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, and the Original Panda, Ailurus fulgens: Habitat Preferences and Evolutionary Consequences
Committee: Andrew Joyner (Advisor), Joshua Samuels, Thomas Jones

B.S.        Biology, cum laude, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, TN
2015


Refereed Journal Articles
Lyon LM, Wallace SC, Joyner TA. 2022, Impacts of climate change on extant Ailurids. In Red Panda (pp.369-392). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823753-3.00006-5

Wallace SC, Lyon LM. 2022. Systematic revision of the Ailurinae (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ailuridae): with new species from North America. In Red Panda (pp.31-52). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823753-3.00011-9

Doughty EM, Wallace SC, Schubert BW, Lyon LM. 2018. First occurrence of the enigmatic peccaries Mylohyus elmorei and Prosthenops serus from the Appalachians: latest Hemphillian to Early Blancan of Gray Fossil Site, Tennessee. PeerJ. 6:e5296 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5926

Gaudin TJ, Lyon LM. 2017. Cranial osteology of Holmesina floridanus (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Cingulata, Pampatheriidae) from the Pliocene of Florida. PeerJ. 5:e4022 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4022

Lyon LM, Powell C, McDonald HG, Gaudin TJ. 2015. Premaxillae of the extinct megalonychid sloths Acratocnus, Neocnus, and Megalonyx, and their phylogenetic implications (Mammalia, Xenarthra). Journal of Mammalian Evolution 23:121-132 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10914-015-9308-7

Courses Taught
Comparative Vertebrate Biology Lab
Responsible for creation of content and assignments in this upper level lab focusing on vertebrate evolution and the differences in the major taxonomic classes of vertebrates. Additional focus given to taxa of the Southeastern United States and organization and guiding of field trips to observe these animals in a real world context. Workshopped  curriculum and class design with the lecture professor, created assignments and tests, and planned field trips.

Ichthyology Lab
Responsible for teaching this upper level lab focused on distinguishing characteristics of various families of global fish taxa, as well as in-depth identification of taxa native to the Southeastern United States. Additionally, anatomy and ecology of fishes covered and dissections conducted. Workshopped  curriculum and class design with the lecture professor, created assignments and tests, and planned field trips for collection of specimens, inventoried teaching specimens and general maintenance of said specimens.

Diversity and Ecology of Tennessee Fishes
Responsible for reimagining this upper level field course due to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Filmed, sampled, collected, and processed fish for the Etnier Ichthyology Collection at The University of Tennessee (Knoxville) from multiple rivers systems across the state of Tennessee. Created maps of watersheds to aid student understanding of ecology of sampled fishes, as well as upwards of 20 virtual field trips for students. Narrated virtual field trips and answered questions, and graded field notes/conducted assessments of knowledge.

Ecology Field Based Lab Instructor of Record
Responsible for creating a positive remote learning environment for a field based ecology course during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Creation of assignments and projects, incorporation of field based citizen science, and introduction of proper survey/sampling techniques, as well as introduction to using statistical analyses in R software. Multiple projects were assigned and supervised throughout the semester culminating in a final group project exploring results of data collected and analyzed throughout the semester.

Human Anatomy Lab
Responsible for teaching human anatomy lab grouped by systems using models and cadavers to illustrate key components. Workshopped curriculum and class design, and created lab practicals for students. Additionally, assisted in the transition to online teaching of the course during the initial SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.

Additional courses taught include Introductory courses detailed in CV 

Recent Awards and Funding
2023
United States Fish & Wildlife Service
Directorate Fellows Program-  Paid Internship
Direct hire program to increase diversity within the FWS. Upon completion of a rigorous 11 week fellowship, candidates receive direct-hire authority for 2 years.
Details: https://www.fws.gov/internships

2022
United States Geological Survey
Science to Action Fellowship - $10,000
Awarded to support graduate students in developing a product that puts science into action, directly applying scientific research related to climate change impacts on fish, wildlife, or ecosystems to decision making about natural resources.
Details: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/climate-adaptation-science-centers/science-action-fellowship

University of Tennessee GSS, College of Arts and Sciences, & Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Travel Award - $750
Awarded partial travel costs for the ASM meeting in Tucson.

American Society of Mammalogists - $400
Travel Award
Awarded to aide in travel costs for the ASM meeting in Tucson.

University of Tennessee Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Graduate Research Award- Outstanding Publication by a Graduate Student
Awarded for publications on red pandas in Red Panda with evidence that the papers will have substantial impact on the field.
 
2021
University of Tennessee
Alexander Hollaender Graduate Fellowship - $6,000
Awarded to a student with a background in the East Tennessee region in biological sciences that shows scientific/professional promise.

Additional funding detailed in CV