Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Dean E. Metter

Dean E. (Doc) Metter (1932-2001) was a long-time member of the biology faculty at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he taught zoology, comparative anatomy, evolution, and herpetology. A believer in putting knowledge to the test in the field, Doc provided frequent opportunities for students to engage in fieldwork. In addition, he frequently assisted his graduate students as they ventured out to collect data.
Doc was a co-founder of the Bobby Witcher Society, the legacy of which is a scholarship fund. For many years, the interest earned served to reward outstanding herpetology students who intended to continue their education and seek a career in vertebrate biology. That fund now serves a similar purpose by honoring Doc's memory while helping to fund the SSAR-administered Dean E. Metter Memorial Award.

2006 Awardee

Cybile Nicole Smith
Dean E. Metter Memorial Award 2006
The Significance of the Distinctive Color Pattern and Behavior of Hatchling Great Plains Skinks (Eumeces obsoletus)

The Dean E. Metter Memorial Award Committee is pleased to announce that this year’s winner is Ms. Cybil Nichole Smith. Ten proposals were submitted this year and the committee (Joe Beatty, Anne Maglia, and Brian Miller) was impressed with all, but had to choose a single awardee.

Nikki Smith graduated with honors from Oklahoma State University in May, 2006, with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology (emphasis in Wildlife Management). Since 2003, she has worked in the laboratory of Dr. Stanley F. Fox, who will serve as her advisor and mentor for this project. She has also participated in several other research projects while completing her degree that involved both laboratory and field work. Ms. Smith is the first undergraduate to win the Metter Memorial Award.

Her proposal will address the significance of the phenotypic (color and behavior) differences between juvenile and adult Eumeces obsoletus. She has designed a series of experiments to test whether or not the Giant Whipscorpion (Vinegaroon), (Mastigoproctus giganteus), might be a noxious model for the juvenile phenotype of E. obsoletus.

Dean E. Metter Memorial Award

PURPOSE
The purpose of the Award is: (1) to honor the memory of Dean E. Metter; (2) to encourage students to pursue field research in herpetology; and (3) to facilitate field research in herpetology by providing funds for relevant expenses.

AWARD
Grants made from the award will be no less than $300 and no more than $1,000. Efforts will be made to fund as many eligible proposals as possible.

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited college or university and be conducting field-based research in herpetology. This research may occur anywhere in the world, but priority will be given to research conducted in the state of Missouri.

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Expenses eligible for funding include: (1) travel expenses (e.g., mileage, airfare) associated with the field research project; and (2) equipment for field-based research (e.g., materials for drift fences, traps, etc.). Funds may not be used for salaries or any other personnel expenses, travel to meetings, equipment or supplies for laboratory-based research (even if applicable to the project), or overhead or indirect costs.

CRITERIA FOR AWARDS
The following criteria will be used to make awards:
A. Scientific merit of the proposed project.
B. Nature of the proposed project; priority will be given, in order, to proposals that fall into the following categories:
   1. Natural history studies (e.g., habitat utilization, life tables, demography, reproductive strategies, behavior).
   2. Functional morphology (i.e., relationships between structure and function, particularly as these relate to natural history parameters).
   3. Biogeographic studies, including elucidation of biodiversity in a given area (e.g., regional or national biotic surveys), efforts to determine historical events leading to current distribution patterns, and effects resulting from introductions of alien species.
   4. Evolutionary studies (establishing phylogenies based on morphological or genetic criteria).
   5. Other.
C. Relevance of the field component to the overall execution of the proposed project.

APPLICATIONS AND AWARDS
In keeping with the Society's goal of encouraging participation by the broadest possible community, preference may be given to individuals who might not have access to other funding sources. All applicants must be members of the SSAR. Past recipients of an SSAR GIH award in any category are not eligible for this award. Each proposal must include the following:

(A) TITLE PAGE giving the title of the project, the name, mailing address, office and home telephone numbers and, if possible, fax number and e-mail address of the applicant. The title page should include a statement indicating that applicants "will comply with all applicable permit regulations, and adhere to all appropriate animal care guidelines in the course of conducting funded projects."

(B) BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES of the proposed project.

(D) COMPLETE PROJECT BUDGET (indicating for which expenses support is being solicited), including a listing of all current and pending support for the project.

(E) BRIEF RESUMÉ of the applicant.

(F) LETTER OF SUPPORT from the research advisor, which also will serve to confirm enrollment at an accredited institution. The proposal must be typed, double spaced, and must not exceed 1,200 words, excluding title page, literature cited, resumé, and budget. SSAR dues for 2007 must be paid no later than 31 December 2006, and proposals must be submitted (postmarked) by 28 February 2007. Proposals should be submitted electronically as email attachments (preferred) or by regular mail. Submit proposals or questions regarding application procedures to the Chair of the Metter Award Committee, Dr. Joseph J. Beatty (beattyj@science.oregonstate.edu). Awards will be announced on or around 10 April 2007. Dr. Beatty's address is Department of Zoology, 3029 Cordley Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-2914.