PATRICK GROF-TISZA

Department of Entomology and Nematology

University of California, Davis One Shields Ave. Davis, CA 95616
pgroftisza@ucdavis.edu
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS AND EDUCATION
2016-present
Postdoctoral Scholar,
Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis
Adviser: Rick Karban
2016-present Adjunct Professor, Department of Natural Resources, American River
College, Sacramento, CA (concurrent with Postdoc)
2015-2016

Adjunct Professor, Department of Science and Engineering, American

River College, Sacramento, CA (concurrent with Ph.D.)

2008-2015 Ph.D., Ecology, Graduate Group of Ecology, University of California, Davis

Concentration in Conservation Biology; Thesis: Predator avoidance and
mate-locating behaviors as drivers of ontogenetic niche shifts
Advisers: Rick Karban and Marcel Holyoak
2001-2005 B.S., Biology, concentration in molecular biology and chemistry minor,
Summa cum laude; Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
PUBLICATIONS (* = undergraduate mentee)
Publications in Review (avilabe upon request)
Grof-Tisza, P, Lopresti, E. and S. Heath. Plant structural complexity and mechanical
defenses mediate predator-prey interactions in an odonate-bird system (Ecology
and Evolution).
Grof-Tisza, P., Steel., Z., Holyoak, M., and R. Karban. The influence of topographic
landscape features and their connectivity to larval resource patches on
population structure (Oikos)
Peer Reviewed Publications
Grof-Tisza, P, Steel, Z. and R. Karban. The spatial distribution and oviposition
preference of the ranchmans tiger moth, Platyprepia virginalis (Lepidoptera:
Eribidae). (In press; Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera)
Karban, R., Grof-Tisza, P., and J. Blande. Chemotypic variation in volatiiles and
herbivory for sagebrush (In press, Journal of Chemical Ecology)
Lopresti, E. Grof-Tisza, P., Robinson, M., Wetzel, W., and R. Karban. The natural history
supplement: furthering natural history amongst ecologists and evolutionary
biologists Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 97: 305-310.
Karban, R., Grof-Tisza, P.,McMunn, M., Kharouba, H., and M. Huntzinger. 2015.
Caterpillars escape predation in habitat and thermal refuges. Ecological
Entomology 40:725-731
Hughes, K. Pearse, I. Grof-Tisza, P. and R. Karban. 2015. Interplant volatile signaling in
willows and its effect on herbivore performance Ecological Entomology. DOI:
10.1111/een.12224
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Grof-Tisza, P., E. Antell*, M. A. Holyoak, R. Karban. Predation and associational refuge

drives ontogenetic niche shift in an arctiid caterpillar. Ecology 96: 80-89.
Karban, R., Mata,T., Grof-Tisza, P., Crutsinger, G., and M. A. Holyoak. 2013. Nontrophic effects of litter reduce ant predation and determine caterpillar survival
and distribution. Oikos 122: 1362-1370.
Karban, R., Grof-Tisza, P., Maron, J. L., and M. A. Holyoak. 2012. The Importance of
host plant limitation for caterpillars of the arctiid moth (Platyprepia virginalis)
varies spatially. Ecology 93: 22162226.
Karban, R., Grof-Tisza, P. and M. Holyoak. 2012. Facilitation of tiger moths by outbreaking tussock moths that share the same host plants. Journal of Animal
Ecology 81: 10951102.
Peer Reviewed Publications (cont.)
Schwartz, M. W. Deiner, K., Forrester, T., Grof-Tisza, P., Muir, M. J. Santos, M. J.; Souza,
L. E.; Wilkerson, M. L., and M. Zylberberg, 2012. Perspectives on the open
standards for the practice of conservation. Biological Conservation 155:169-177.
Rosenkranz, M. E., Wilson, D. C., Marinov, A. D., Decewicz, A., Grof-Tisza, P., Kirchner,
D., Giles, B., Reynolds, P. R., Liebman, M. N., Kolli, V. S. K., Thompson, S. D. and
Hirsch, R. 2010. Synovial fluid proteins differentiate between the subtypes of
juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 62: 18131823
Technical Reports
Steel, Z., L., Wilkerson, M., Grof-Tisza, P. and K. Sulzner. Assessing species and area
vulnerability to climate change for the Oregon Conservation Strategy: Willamette
Valley Ecoregion. 2011. Prepared for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
and Defenders of Wildlife.
Ling-ru, C.,Wehrmann, A. Hammock, B., Calanchini, Grof-Tisza, P., Turner , M., and
M. Johnson. 2008. Bacteria Monitoring Inventory of Californias Freshwater
Beaches Prepared for the State Water Resources Control Boards Surface Water
Ambient Monitoring Program
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2007-08

Junior Specialist, Aquatic

Ecosystems Analysis Laboratory, UC Davis
Collected water samples from the San-Joaquin watershed and employed
various molecular (e.g., RT-PCR) and analytical techniques to assess water
quality

2005-07

Research Associate I, Windber Research Institute, Windber, PA

Worked within the proteomics core, with the ultimate goal of breast cancer
and gynecological disease protein biomarker discovery

2006

Endocrinology Internship, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO

Interned at the St. Louis Zoos Endangered Species Research Center and
Veterinary Hospital's Endocrinology Laboratory; Conducted
radioimmunoassays for gonadal and adrenal steroids for species of
conservation concern, and headed the development of a non-invasive PCRbased sex determination assay for the Channel Island Fox from feces
PEDAGOGICAL TRAINING
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2013-14
Professors
for
the
Future,
Graduate Studies, UC Davis
Participated in fellowship training program designed to develop leadership
skills and pedagogical knowledge for aspiring professors
2013
Seminar on College Teaching, Center for Excellence in Teaching and
Learning, UC Davis
Seminar focused on curriculum design, evidence-based teaching, developing
an inclusive classroom, and active learning
2013-14

Teaching Assistant Consultant,

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, UC Davis
Co-developed and led teaching workshops for graduate students and postdocs. Conducted consultations with teaching assistants based on mid-quarter
evaluations, in-class observations, and video recordings to improve graduate
student teaching

2011-12

Scientific Teaching Using Open

Inquiry, Bodega Marine Lab, UC Davis
National Science Foundation GK-12 pedagogical preparation for openinquiry-based instruction

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Adjunct Professor
2016(F)
Study Design and Field Methods (NATR 310), American River
College, Sacramento, CA
Developed and taught the experimental design and analysis unit in a coinstructed course
2016(S)
Foundations of Biology (Biol 300), American River College,
Sacramento, CA
Developed lecture content and taught a non-majors course with a human
systems focus
2015(F&S) Survey of Biology (Biol 303), American River College, Sacramento, CA
Developed lecture/ lab content for an inquiry-based survey biology course
with a biodiversity focus
2015(Sum) Natural History and Field Ecology of Coastal California (Biol 390),
American River College, Sacramento, CA
Co-taught a field-based, natural history course at Salt Point State Park,
Sonoma, CA
Teaching Assistantships
2014-15
Terrestrial Field Ecology (ECL 225), UC Davis
Guided graduate students through the process of experimental design and
statistical analysis of original research
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2014
Davis

Ecology and Evolution of Plant and Animal Interactions (EVE 181), UC

Co-led discussions regarding plant adaptations to herbivory, attraction of
pollinators, co-evolutionary arms race, and the role of mutualists and
cheaters in plant/animal speciation

2014

Positioning Yourself for Success (SAS 098), UC Davis

Mentored 20 incoming freshmen and helped them transition from high
school to college by exploring campus resources and career paths

2010-11

Introduction to Biology (BIS 2A), UC Davis

Served as Head Teachers Assistant with administrative responsibilities,
including the oversight of 5 Teachers Assistants (see description of BIS 2A
below)

2009-10

Introduction to Biology (BIS 2A), UC Davis

Led discussions regarding fundamentals of biochemistry, bioenergetics, cell
biology, genetics, and natural selection

K-12 Teaching
2011- 2013
National Science Foundation-Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (NSF-STEM) Grades K-12 Fellowship, Santa Rosa
High School, Santa Rosa, CA
Designed and taught a yearlong inquiry-based ecology curriculum for high
school students, where students designed and executed their own research
projects
Invited Lectures/Workshops
2016
California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA Ecology and
Environmental Issues seminar (BIO/ENVS186B)
Lecture title: Understanding the importance of non-trophic resources in
conservation biology
Instructor: Christy Bowles
2015

American River College, Sacramento, CA, Principles of Ecology (NATR

320)
Lecture title: The importance of ontogeny and species interactions on
population structure. Instructor: Jennifer Neal

Invited Lectures/Workshops (cont.)

2015
Society for Ecotoxicology and Chemistry Conference, Sacramento, CA
Workshop title: Introduction to Data Manipulation, Analysis, and
Visualization with the Statistical Package R
2014

UC Davis, Ecology and Evolution of Plant and Animal Interactions (EVE 181)
Lecture title: The effects of herbivory on plant communities. Instructor:
Sharon Strauss

2014

American River College, Conservation Biology (BIOL 352)

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Lecture title: Climate change vulnerability analysis for species of

conservation concern within the Willamette Valley ecoregion. Instructor:
Jennifer Neal
2013

American River College, Conservation Biology (BIOL 352)

Lecture title: Intersection of conservation research and policy. Instructor:
Jennifer Neal

2010

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Salem, OR.

Workshop title: Assessing species vulnerability to climate change in the
Willamette Valley Ecoregion.
PRESENTATIONS

Research Presentations
Trophic processes drive spatial pattern of chewing herbivore. Oral presentation. 2015.
Ecological Society of America conference. Sacramento, Ca.
Spatial variation of enemy free space drives ontogenetic niche shift in an arctiid
caterpillar. Oral presentation. 2014. Mathias Symposium, Bodega, Ca.
Top-down control of an arctiid moth varies spatially. Oral presentation. 2013. Annual
meeting of Ecological Society of America. Minneapolis, MI.
Top-down trophic control of two Lepidoptera varies spatially. Oral presentation. 2013.
Annual Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America.
Assessing species vulnerability to climate change in the Willamette Valley Ecoregion
Species vulnerability in an uncertain future. Poster presentation. 2010. Annual
University of California, Davis, Ecology symposium, Davis, CA.
Genetic analysis of two temporally isolated populations of mottled sculpin (Cottus
bairdii). Poster presentation. 2005. Northeast Ecology and Evolution Conference. State
College, PA.
Identifying the influence of the 64 kDa Cleavage Stimulatory Factor (CstF-64) on IgG
secretion in memory B cells. Oral presenation. 2004. Cellular Adaptations to
Environmental Challenge Student Symposium, Pittsburg, PA.
Education Presentations
Using Scientific Teaching Principles to Strengthen Professional Partnerships in
Education. 2013.
Poster presentation Annual American Association for the
Advancement of Science and International Scientist-Teacher Partnership Conference.
Boston, MA.
CAMEOS Fellows Research Helps Students Meet the Challenges of Scientific Inquiry.
2012. Poster presentation. Annual American Association for the Advancement of Science
and International Scientist-Teacher Partnership Conference. Washington, D.C.

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HONORS, AWARDS, AND GRANTS

2015
Marin Rod and Gun Club Grant ($2,000)
2014
University of Californias Nature Reserve System Grant ($2,300)
2014
Mildred E. Mathias Grant ($2,000)
2013
Professor for the Future Fellowship ($3,000)
2013
UC Davis Jastro Shields Grant ($2,500)
2013
Teachers Assistant Consultant Fellowship ($3,500)
2011
UC Davis Jastro Shields Grant ($1,750)
2011-12
Received NSF-STEM Fellowship ($68,000)
2012,
Graduate Group of Ecology Block Grant Fellowship ($10,500)
2010
NSF-Graduate Research Fellowship Program honorable mention
2009
Graduate Group of Ecology Block Grant Fellowship ($10,500)
2005
Valedictorian/Commencement speaker Frostburg State University
(FSU)
2005
Biology Honor Award, FSU
2005
Suma Cum Laude and invited to Deans Colloquium, FSU
2004
Nemacolin Trout Unlimited Scholarship, FSU ($1,000)
2004
NSF-REU Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh ($3,000)
2001-02
Academic Excellence Scholarship, FSU ($8,000)
2001
Lewis J. Ort Science Scholarship, FSU ($1,000)
MENTORING
2013

Edward Antell, full-time field technician; Current Position: Research

Technician, Romberg Tiburon Center of Environmental Science, San
Francisco State University

2012

Keenan Hartert, full-time field technician; Current Position: Ph.D. Student,

University of Nebraska Medical Center,

2010

Ronald Bracken, part-time laboratory technician, Current Position:

Registered Nurse, Alameda County Medical Center

Current

ACADEMIC SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP

Reviewer, Oecologia

2014

Workshop Developer and Facilitator, UC Davis

Designed and led a workshop series, Introduction to Data Manipulation,
Analysis, and Visualization with the Statistical Package R, for graduate
students, post-docs, and faculty

2014

Co-Instructor for Pedagogical Workshop Series; UC Davis

Co-designed and led two workshops within the workshop series, The
Learner-Centered Classroom: How to engage, motivate, and assess students,
through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)

2013

Teachers Assistant Orientation Training, UC Davis

Through CETL, co-designed and led the teachers assistant orientation
training, which is required fall graduate student teaching assistants at UC
Davis
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2008-10
Davis

Society for Conservation Biology Outreach Program Chair, UC

Coordinated visits and taught ecological concepts through interactive
activities with local elementary schools

2004-05

Vice President for Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society, FSU

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Ecological Society of America

Entomological Society of America
Society of the Lepidopterists.
REFERENCES
Research
Dr. Richard Karban
Dissertation Adviser
Department of Entomology
University of California, Davis
rkarban@ucdavis.edu
Marcel Holyoak
Co-dissertation Adviser
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
University of California, Davis
maholyoak@ucdavis.edu
Education
Dr. Mikaela Huntzinger
Assistant Director
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
University of California, Davis
pmhuntzinger@ucdavis.edu
Dr. Jennifer Neale
Professor
Department of Natural Resources
American River College
NealeJ@arc.losrios.edu

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