Closeup of silhouette

Tucker Heptinstall, M.S.

Pronouns: he, him, his

Doctoral Student

SDSU / UC Riverside Joint Doctoral Program in Evolutionary Biology

San Diego

Location
LSN 206
5500 Campanile Dr
San Diego, CA, 92182
Mail Code
4614
Fax
[619-594-####]
Accounts

Areas of Research

Herpetology, Urban Evolution and Ecology

Bio

I am broadly interested in herpetological conservation, ecology, and evolution. Specifically, I’m interested in uncovering how snake evolution and ecology may differ in anthropogenically altered ecosystems when compared to more undisturbed environments.

Mentors

Kinsey Brock, Ph.D.

Details

Education
  1. B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management
    Auburn University
  2. M.S. in Biological Sciences
    Clemson University
Publications
  1. Heptinstall, T. C., R. A. Rosales-Garcia, R. M. Rautsaw, E. P. Hofmann, A. de Queiroz, L. Canseco- Márquez, and C. L. Parkinson. 2024. Size Doesn’t Matter: Body size is not linked to diet specialization in garter snakes (Squamata: Natricidae: Thamnophis). Journal of Herpetology. 58(2):1-11.
  2. Heptinstall, T.C., J.L. Strickland, R.A. Rosales-Garcia, R.M. Rautsaw, C.L. Simpson, G.S. Nystrom, S.A. Ellsworth, M.P. Hogan, M. Borja, P.F. Campos, F. G. Grazziotin, D. R. Rokyta, I.L.M. Junqueira-de-Azevedo, and C.L. Parkinson. 2023. Venom phenotype conservation suggests integrated specialization in a lizard-eating snake. Toxicon, 229, 107135.
Presentations
  1. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Meeting— Oral Presentation— Ann Arbor, MI 2024, “Toxin Variation and Complexity Within Garter Snakes (Thamnophis) and the Role of Diet in Shaping Toxin Diversification.”
  2. South Carolina Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting — Poster Presentation— Beaufort, SC 2024, “Toxin Variation and Complexity Within Garter Snakes (Thamnophis) and the Role of Diet in Shaping Toxin Diversification.”
  3. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Annual Meeting — Oral Presentation—Norfolk, VA 2023, “Toxin Variation and Complexity Within Garter Snakes (Thamnophis) and the Role of Diet in Shaping Toxin Diversification.”
  4. Clemson University Biological Sciences Research Expo — Poster Presentation— Clemson, SC 2023, “Toxin Variation and Complexity Within Garter Snakes (Thamnophis) and the Role of Diet in Shaping Toxin Diversification.”
  5. South Carolina Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting — Oral Presentation— Florence, SC 2022, “Venom Complexity within Garter Snakes and the Role of Diet in Toxin Diversification.”
  6. Auburn University Annual Student Research Symposium— Poster Presentation— Auburn, AL. 2019, “Snake news! Road-based survey effectiveness in Everglades National Park.”
Service
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Grants
  1. Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research, 2023
  2. Carl Gans Traveling Fellowship, 2023
Clinical Trials
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Awards & Honors
  1. SSAR Seibert Award: Systematics & Evolution Student Talk Competition- Runner Up, 2023
Patents & Copyrights
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Media
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Fun Facts
  1. In my free-time, I love to spend my time hiking, herping, and playing sports!