Jen Olson is a visiting Assistant Professor of Biology. She completed her PhD in Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology at Ohio State in 2009 and has spent the past three years as an instructor or researcher at Kenyon College, the College of Wooster, and Ohio State University. Her previous research focused on adaptations at the cellular, tissue, and organismal level that influence an animals ability to successfully meet the metabolic demands of its environment. Additional interests include metabolic physiology as it relates to oxidative damage and antioxidant defenses in avian systems, and she also plans to continue previous studies on phenotypic plasticity in insects.

Areas of Expertise

Physiological Ecology

Education

Ph.D. The Ohio State University
B.S. Illinois Wesleyan University

Selected Publications

Olson, J.R., Cooper, S.J., Swanson D.L., Braun M.J., and Joseph B. Williams. 2010. The role of metabolic performance in the distribution of Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 83 (2): 263-275.
Olson, J.R. and Grubb, T.C. Jr. 2007. Winter adaptations in chickadees and titmice and the added effect of habitat fragmentation. In: Ecology and behavior of chickadees and titmice: an integrative approach. Oxford University Press, London.
Juliano, S.A., Olson, J.R., Tillman, E.G., Hatle, J.D. 2004. Plasticity and canalization of insect reproduction: testing alternative models of life history transitions. Ecology 85 (11): 2986-2996.

Courses Taught

BIOL110-Introduction to Experimental Biology
BIOL228-Ecology
BIOL229-Ecology Laboratory
BIOL362-Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology
ENVS112-Introduction to Environmental Studies