Faculty
Samuel Hirt
Associate Professor of Biology; Associate Provost
“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
- Electives:
- Environmental Science
- Bioethics
- Travel Study:
- Galapagos Islands
Teaching Positions & Professional Experience
- Associate Provost, Southern Virginia University, 2018–present
- Faculty Member, Southern Virginia University, 2016
- Online Adjunct Instructor, Purdue University Global Online, 2014–19
- Visiting Assistant Professor, Pacific University. 2014–16
- Adjunct Instructor, Southern Union State Community College, 2013–14
- Instructor, Auburn University, 2012–14
- Adjunct Instructor, Miller-Motte Technical College, 2011–12
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 opens new tab to article, 2019
- Sexual Dimorphism, the big-mother hypothesis, and analyses of hormones, minerals, and stable isotopes to determine reproductive events in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) connects to pdf, 2015
- Analysis of Stable Isotopes of Hydrogen to Determine Migrational Source of Silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans) in Alabama connects to pdf, 2008
- A Time to Shine forum address for Southern Virginia University, February 2019
Awards, Leadership & Service
- 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, 2016–18
- 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, 2000–02