UCI Comp Phys

Amanda Szucsik

John Eme

Comparative vertebrate exercise physiology. My research interests lie in plasticity of the vertebrate oxygen transport system, specifically in relation to exercise. I study the effects of aerobic exercise training upon the physiology of various reptile species at the whole-animal as well as biochemical level. Future research plans include an investigation of the effects of different modes of exercise (i.e. terrestrial versus aquatic locomotion) upon the energetics of ectotherms.

For the past three years, my research interests have focused on chronic and dynamic responses of tropical Indonesian marine fish to temperature. Dr. Wayne Bennett (University of West Florida) and I constructed dynamic thermal tolerance polygons for five fishes inhabiting specific intertidal zones, investigated the responses of damselfishes to chronic low temperatures and described the metabolic response of intertidal fishes to an acute increase in temperature. At UCI, I have begun work on Dr. James Hicks' Crocodilia intracardiac shunt project, using American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) as a model.

The link to my UCI webite