Samuel Hirt

  • Associate Professor of Biology
  • Associate Provost
  • Math and Natural Sciences Division Chair

Education

  • Ph.D. in Ecology, Auburn University, 2015
  • M.S. in Ecology, Auburn University, 2008
  • B.S. in Integrative Biology, Brigham Young University, 2006

I am fortunate to have a career that I am passionate about and brings me great joy. My underlying goal in all of the classes I teach is to provide experiences that will help students be successful in their careers and apply to their everyday lives. I am continually looking for new uses of technology to increase the learning potential of my students in and out of the classroom.


Education

  • Ph.D. in Ecology, Auburn University, 2015
  • M.S. in Ecology, Auburn University, 2008
  • B.S. in Integrative Biology, Brigham Young University, 2006

Courses

  • Biology Major: General Biology I, General Ecology, Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Marine Biology, Mammalogy, Botany, Field Biology
  • Non-major courses: Environmental Science, Bioethics
  • Travel Study: Biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands

Teaching Positions & Professional Experience

  • Joined the Southern Virginia University faculty in 2016
  • Online Adjunct Instructor, Purdue University Global Online, 2014–2019
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Pacific University. 2014–2016
  • Adjunct Instructor, Southern Union State Community College, 2013–2014
  • Instructor, Auburn University, 2012–2014
  • Adjunct Instructor, Miller-Motte Technical College, 2011–2012

Scholarship & Creative Work

  • Research interests are in physiological ecology of vertebrates—specifically using methods analyzing stable isotopes and hormone concentrations in biological samples
  • Graduate research focused on the migration patterns of silver-haired bats and analysis of baleen of bowhead whales to assess the “big mother” hypothesis
  • “The Effects of Temperature on the Turnover of δ18O and δD in Juvenile Corn Snakes (Elaphe guttata): A Novel Study with Ecological Implications” (link)
  • “Sexual Dimorphism, the big-mother hypothesis, and analyses of hormones, minerals, and stable isotopes to determine reproductive events in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus),” (link)
  • “Analysis of Stable Isotopes of Hydrogen to Determine Migrational Source of Silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) in Alabama” (link)
  • “A Time to Shine,” forum address for Southern Virginia University, February 2019 (link)

Awards, Leadership & Service

  • Associate Provost, Southern Virginia University, 2018-present
  • Faculty Development Committee, Southern Virginia University, 2018-present
  • Faculty Representative for Southern Virginia University’s Men’s Baseball Team, 2017-present
  • First-year Experience Committee, Southern Virginia University, 2016-2018
  • Presented on “The Flipped Classroom: Demonstration, Rationale, Resources, and Response,” Southern Virginia University, 2016
  • Missionary, Canada Winnipeg Mission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2000-2002