Research
Over the years, the university farm has become a major resource for research and educational studies. A variety of professors have conducted studies and lab experiments in the areas of neurobiology, oncology, cardiology, molecular biology, and hematology.
-
Dr. Michael Benard's research investigates how species adapt to changing environments. He combines laboratory and field studies with ecological modeling to predict how different types of environmental change are expected to influence extinction risk. At the farm, he is focusing his research on the wood frog (Rana sylvatica), a frog that lives as a tadpole in small temporary ponds (i.e., vernal pools), and as a terrestrial adult lives in forests.
- Dr. Tim Matson, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, is investigating the impact of metals upon recent observed declines in population size of the Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) and Jeffersons Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) in NE Ohio.
-
Dr. Carl Anthony, Associate Professor at John Carroll University and his Master’s student Kimberly Thompson are currently looking at behavioral interactions between Plethodon cinereus and Eurycea bislineata within a forest to stream ecotone at the farm.
-
Dr. Joseph Keiper, Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology, used the farm as a study site for forensic entomology research.
-
Dr. Joseph Koonce, Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology, uses the farm as a base of operations for fish habitat studies of the Chagrin and Grand River watersheds.
-
Dr. Beverly Saylor, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geological Science, has often used the greenhouse laboratory for core storage and data analysis.
-
Dr. Mark Willis, Associate Professor of the Department of Biology, studied the olfactory orientation of turkey vulture populations at the farm with his research assistant, Andrew Finnell.
Case Farm Contributions
Fertilized egg production for research laboratories continues to be one of the most important activities at the farm. Over 39,000 eggs are delivered to 10 research labs on campus and Cleveland Clinic annually.