Edward Davis Carter

Developed a research collaboration with the Carolina Wildlands Foundation Coordinated a herpetological study with several universities (Francis Marion, Wingate, Winthrop) Designed and constructed a network of artificial cover objects (ACOs) across a 1600-acre property

Assistant Professor of Biology - Queens University of Charlotte - Charlotte, NC

(2024-08)

• Developed a research collaboration with the Carolina Wildlands Foundation
• Coordinated a herpetological study with several universities (Francis Marion, Wingate, Winthrop)
• Designed and constructed a network of artificial cover objects (ACOs) across a 1600-acre property
• Sampled amphibians for pathogens using sterile swabs
• Demonstrated DNA extraction technique from swab samples to an undergraduate research mentee
• Implemented habitat assessment techniques to evaluate whether habitat characteristics influence the distribution and abundance of herpetofauna

Postdoctoral Teaching and Mentoring Fellow - Salisbury University - Salisbury, MD

(2023-08 - 2024-07)

SEC Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow - University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Knoxville, TN

(2022-08 - 2023-07)

Postdoctoral Fellow - University of Tennessee Center for Wildlife Health - Knoxville, TN

(2022-08 - 2023-08)

Supported by $2.75M grant (#2207922) awarded by the National Science Foundation, Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Program.

• Designed laboratory experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of plant-derived fungicides as a treatment for Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans infections
• Evaluated the toxicity of plant-derived fungicides on an amphibian host species (Notophthalmus viridescens)
• Performed diagnostic testing of amphibian pathogens collected through a U.S. trade network of pet amphibian businesses
• Collected microbiome samples from wild amphibians to evaluate differences in microbial communities that result from variation in population densities

Ph.D. Candidate - University of Tennessee Center for Wildlife Health - Knoxville, TN

(2018-08 - 2022-08)

Supported by $2.5M grant (#1814520) awarded by National Science Foundation, Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Program.

• Performed laboratory challenge experiments that evaluated how environmental temperature influences Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) chytridiomycosis disease progression and host susceptibility
• Updated Bsal habitat suitability maps for North America based on temperature dependent susceptibility of a model host species
• Measured how Bsal susceptibility differs among amphibian host life-stages
• Determined how probability of Bsal transmission relates to infection latency and host infection load
• Performed a transmission experiment that measured the impacts infected carcasses could have on disease outbreaks
• Evaluated the effectiveness of fungal zoospore removal by zooplankton species
• Used estimates of species susceptibility and species distribution data in ArcGIS to create risk maps for Bsal emergence across the United States
• Performed challenge experiments to determine the pathogenesis of Bsal chytridiomycosis
• Performed an experiment evaluating the effects of multiple stressors (sediment, herbicide, pathogens) on larval hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
• Evaluated the efficacy of plant-derived fungicides on Bsal zoospores
• Developed methods for determining zoospore cell viability using flowcytometry

MS Research - University of Tennessee Center for Wildlife Health - Knoxville, TN

(2016-08 - 2018-07)

• Evaluated the effects of reoccurring ranavirus mortality events on amphibian populations within Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Measured ranavirus infection prevalence in post-metamorphic and larval amphibian communities from two ephemeral wetlands
• Assessed wetland visitation by humans and wildlife using camera traps
• Coordinated research activities with Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff and undergraduate volunteers

Research Technician - University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture - Knoxville, TN

(2015-08 - 2016-08)

Lab: University of Tennessee, Center for Wildlife Health

• Performed Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis susceptibility challenge experiments on several amphibian species
• Cultured and tittered Ranavirus isolates for challenge experiments
• Evaluated how poor biosecurity while conducting field-based research could contribute to amphibian disease outbreaks
• Measured how commonly utilized herbicides impact eastern hellbender susceptibility to Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infections

PhD - Natural Resources (Wildlife Health Concentration) - The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (2018-08 - 2022-08)

MS - Wildlife and Fisheries Science (Wildlife Health Concentration) - The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (2016-08 - 2018-07)

BS - Biology - Hampden-Sydney College (2011-09 - 2015-05)