Lecturer and Member of the Graduate Faculty

College of Natural Resources, 377 CNR
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI  54481
dginnett@uwsp.edu     (715) 346 - 4183

Ph. D. in Ecology    

M.S. in Ecology   

B. A. in Biology

University of California, Davis, CA - Graduate Group in Ecology 

Reed College, Portland, OR

RESEARCH

Canine Heartworm Project 

(this research website link is under construction, November  2007)

Black Bear Parasite Project 

(this research website link is under construction, November 2007)

My research interest focus is wildlife disease ecology.  Currently, I am studying canine heartworm infection in Wisconsin's native canid populations (wolves, coyotes and foxes).  In addition, I have also completed a pilot study on American black bear parasites and the potential for zoonotic disease  transmission to the human hunter population. 

Research collaborators include: Adrian Wydeven, John F. Olson, and the many researchers and canine trappers affiliated with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Dr. Michael Samuels and M.S. candidate Cherrie Nolden at the Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit in Madison, WI and Dr. Jerold H. Theis, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, an expert on canine heartworm infection.

I enjoy mentoring undergraduate students in my research laboratory and extend my thanks to the many University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student volunteers who have contributed greatly to the canine heartworm project.  My appreciation also extends to the many public volunteers from The Wisconsin Trappers Association and The Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association who have participated in sample collection efforts for this research.

My earlier graduate research focused on gallstone prevalence in wild deer mice in Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge (Klamath Basin Refuge Complex) in northern California.  Additional research focused on the impacts of anti-cholinesterase pesticides on this deer mouse population.

Ginnett, D. A., J. H. Theis, and J. J. Kaneko.  2003.  Spontaneous Gallstone Formation in Deer Mice: Interaction of Cholesterol, Bile Acids, and Dietary Fiber.  Journal of Wildlife Diseases.  39 (1): 105-113.

TEACHING:

I am science educator with extensive teaching experience at the secondary and post-secondary levels.  My teaching expertise is in curriculum development, diverse student populations (At-Risk and Gifted & Talented, adult learners), performance-based assessment and online instruction.  I have taught secondary science in both Wisconsin and Texas and am a Wisconsin Certified Initial Educator for Biology/Life Sciences, Environmental Science and Broadfield Science (secondary and middle school levels).

I also have extensive science teaching experience at the college and graduate school levels, having taught diverse college students in California, Texas and Wisconsin.  In my work as an Adjunct Lecturer for University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point I have taught a wide range of science courses for the College of Natural Resources, the Biology Department and the M.S. in Environmental Education Program.

I am an experienced online educator and have designed two fully online courses for K-12 educators in the M.S. in Environmental Education program.  In addition, I currently teach a fully online course for secondary students, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, for Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) and work part-time writing AP Science online curriculum.

I also worked in Faculty Support for Online Instruction (2006-07) for the Teaching & Learning Resource Network (TLRN).  In this capacity, I assisted UW-Stevens Point faculty with course design and integration with the Desire2Learn (D2L) course management platform.  I have also served as an online faculty discussion facilitator for the Curricular Redesign program for UWSP faculty who are transitioning their courses to D2L.  In addition, I designed a Welcome to UWSP for New Faculty & Staff orientation short-course in D2L.

COURSES TAUGHT: 

Secondary Science Courses:

Advanced Placement Biology 

General Biology                      

Environmental Education              

Comprehensive Natural Science   

Physics

Human Anatomy & Physiology

Physical Science

Organic and Biochemistry              

Health

GED Science Preparation

Online Instruction (Secondary Level):

Advanced Placement Environmental Science (for Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS)

College Science Courses:

Ecology

Ecological Basis of Natural Resource Management

Biology (majors)                               

Biology (non-majors)

Wildlife Management Techniques

Wildlife Diseases

Zoology

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Animal Physiology

Mammalian Biology and Ecology

Independent Study

Issues in Biology Seminar Topics

Animal Physiology Seminar Topics

M.S. in Environmental Education:

Ecological Basis for Environmental Education

Wildlife Issues Investigations

Prairie Chicken Conservation and Courtship

Wildlife Field Trip

Online Instruction for M.S. in Environmental Education:

Wildlife Issues Investigations

Ecological Basis for Environmental Education

Science fiction, jazz and blues music, family history (genealogy), education volunteer (elementary school classrooms), bird watching and nature exploration.

Webpage last updated November 2007.