James Leaphart, Ph.D.
Area(s) of Expertise: Wildlife Ecology and Management, Ecotoxicology, Disease Biology, Endocrinology, Ornithology; (Advising Area of Expertise: Biology, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Veterinarian)
Courses Taught
- BIOL 1108K – Principles of Biology II
- BIOL 2251K – Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Education
- Ph.D., Forestry and Natural Resources (Wildlife Ecology), University of Georgia, 2022
- M.S., Forestry and Natural Resources (Wildlife Ecology), University of Georgia, 2017
- B.S., Biology, University of South Carolina Aiken, 2014
Research/Special Interests
Dr. Leaphart enjoys all things biology, but his main research is focused on wildlife ecotoxicology and disease biology. Specifically, he is interested in how disease and anthropogenic pollution affects animal health, physiology, reproduction, and behavior. During his B.S., he examined the impacts of parasitic infection on the foraging behavior of experimentally-exposed dragonfly naiads. Leaphart’s graduate research focused on radioactive contaminant uptake and food web dynamics in aquatic and semi-aquatic organisms for his M.S., and the detrimental effects of methylmercury on developing avian embryos and newly hatched offspring for his Ph.D. In addition to his own research, Dr. Leaphart has collaborated on, or assisted, many other projects working with a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl and gamebirds, reptiles and amphibians, raccoons, river otters, beavers, coyotes, pigs, fish, and invertebrates. Dr. Leaphart plans to continue his pursuit and passion for wildlife ecotoxicology and disease research at UNG, while engaging students in undergraduate research with various species of animals across diverse natural or laboratory settings.
Publications
Leaphart JC, Abercrombie SA, Borchert EJ, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2022. Bioaccumulation of mercury and radiocesium in waterfowl introduced to a site with legacy contamination. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 41(10): 2479-2487.
Tisdale CA, Leaphart JC, Beasley JC, Martin JA. 2021. Accumulation of contaminants in wild turkeys and potential for consumer exposure. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 40(4): 1222-1231.
Leaphart JC, Oldenkamp RE, Bryan AL, Kennamer RA, Beasley JC. 2020. Accumulation of trace elements in waterfowl inhabiting surface impoundments containing coal combustion waste. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 39 (5): 1052-1059.
Leaphart JC, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2020. Environmental fate of radiocesium in biota inhabiting a contaminated ecosystem on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 222: 1-11.
Leaphart JC, Wilms KC, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2019. Bioaccumulation of 137Cs in anuran larvae utilizing a contaminated effluent canal on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 203: 25-29.
Borchert EJ, Leaphart JC, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2019. Ecotoxicoparasitology of mercury and trace elements in semi-aquatic mammals and their endoparasite communities. Science of the Total Environment. 679: 307-316.
Fulghum CM, DiBona ER, Leaphart JC, Korotasz AM, Beasley JC, Bryan AL. 2019. Radiocesium (137Cs) accumulation by fish within a legacy reactor cooling canal system on the Savannah River Site. Environment International. 126: 216-221.
Oldenkamp RE, Bryan AL, Kennamer RA, Leaphart JC, Webster SC, Beasley JC. 2017. Trace Elements and Radiocesium in Game Species and Human Consumption Risks. Journal of Wildlife Management. 81(8): 1338-1350.
Leaphart JC, Zelmer DA. 2017. Wrecking the Curve: Altered Functional Response of Tetragoneuria (Odonata: Corduliidae) Naiads Infected with Metacercaria of Haematoloechus floedae. Journal of Parasitology. 103(2): 147-151.
Kennamer RA, Oldenkamp RE, Leaphart JC, King JD, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2017. Radiocesium in migratory aquatic game birds using contaminated U.S. Department of Energy reactor-cooling reservoirs: a long-term perspective. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 171: 189-199.