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Zacchaeus G. Compson

Title: Assistant Professor

Department: Biological Sciences

College: College of Science

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae Link

Education

  • PhD, Northern Arizona University, 2013
    Major: Biology
    Specialization: Aquatic Ecology
    Dissertation: Energy movement from forests to streams: influences of plant genetic identity on aquatic food webs
  • MSc, Western Kentucky University, 2005
    Major: Biology
    Specialization: Aquatic Ecology
    Dissertation: An isotopic examination of cave, spring and epigean trophic structures in Mammoth Cave National Park.
  • BS, Alma College, 2001
    Major: Biology / English
    Specialization: Ecology / Writing
    Dissertation: Interactive Learning in the Classroom: A Case Study in Teaching Creative Writing

Current Scheduled Teaching

BIOL 1720.004Biology for Science Majors IISpring 2025
BIOL 1722.001Honors Biology for Science Majors IISpring 2025
BIOL 6940.726Individual ResearchSpring 2025
BIOL 5950.726Master's ThesisSpring 2025
BIOL 6940.726Individual ResearchFall 2024
BIOL 4260.001Principles of EvolutionFall 2024 Syllabus
BIOL 5260.001Principles of EvolutionFall 2024
BIOL 4261.501Principles of Evolution LaboratoryFall 2024 Syllabus
BIOL 5900.726Special ProblemsFall 2024

Previous Scheduled Teaching

BIOL 5950.726Master's ThesisSummer 5W2 2024
BIOL 1720.004Biology for Science Majors IISpring 2024 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 1722.001Honors Biology for Science Majors IISpring 2024 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 6940.726Individual ResearchSpring 2024
BIOL 6940.726Individual ResearchFall 2023
BIOL 5950.726Master's ThesisFall 2023
BIOL 4260.001Principles of EvolutionFall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 4261.501Principles of Evolution LaboratoryFall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 4951.726Honors College Capstone ThesisSpring 2023
BIOL 6940.726Individual ResearchSpring 2023
BIOL 5950.726Master's ThesisSpring 2023
BIOL 4900.726Special ProblemsSpring 2023
BIOL 6940.726Individual ResearchFall 2022
BIOL 4260.001Principles of EvolutionFall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 4261.501Principles of Evolution LaboratoryFall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 4900.726Special ProblemsFall 2022
BIOL 4260.001Principles of EvolutionSpring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 5260.001Principles of EvolutionSpring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 4261.501Principles of Evolution LaboratorySpring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 5261.501Principles of Evolution LaboratorySpring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 4910.726Special ProblemsSpring 2022
BIOL 6940.726Individual ResearchFall 2021
BIOL 4260.001Principles of EvolutionFall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 4261.501Principles of Evolution LaboratoryFall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 5900.726Special ProblemsFall 2021
BIOL 4260.001Principles of EvolutionSpring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
BIOL 5260.001Principles of EvolutionSpring 2021 SPOT

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book Chapter

  • Compson, Z.G., Monk, W.A., Serremejane, R., DelVecchia, A.G., Burrows, R.M., Gao, S., Ruddell, B.L., Hong, Y., Allen, D.C. (2022). Dryland rivers and streams.. Encyclopedia of Inland Waters. (Second Edition) 616-627. Amsterdam, Elsevier.
  • McGee, K.M., Robinson, C., Porter, T.M., Compson, Z.G., Hajibabaei, M., Baird, D.J. (2022). eDNA and bioassessment of rivers. Encyclopedia of Inland Waters. (Second Edition) 537-548. Amsterdam, Elsevier.
  • Journal Article

  • Liu, J., Compson, Z.G., Gui, X., Yang, Q., Song, Q., Huang, D., Ren, Z., Luan, F. (2023). Weak responses of soil microorganisms to leaf litter inputs after native Phyllostachys edulis invasion into adjacent native forests. Plant and Soil. 494 685-699. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374781048_Weak_responses_of_soil_microorganisms_to_leaf_litter_inputs_after_native_Phyllostachys_edulis_invasion_into_adjacent_native_forests
  • Liu, X., Tang, X., Compson, Z.G., Huang, D., Zou, G., Luan, F., Song, Q., Fang, X., Yang, Q., Liu, J. (2023). Silicon supply promotes differences in growth and C: N: P stoichiometry between bamboo and tree saplings. BMC Plant Biology. 23 (443) 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-023-04443-0
  • Gong, C., Zeng, X., Zhu, X., Huang, W., Compson, Z.G., Ren, Z., Ran, H., Song, Q., Yang, Q., Huang, D., Liu, J. (2023). Bamboo expansion promotes radial growth of surviving trees in a broadleaf forest. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1242364
  • Wojtowicz, T., Lamit, L.J., Compson, Z.G., Whitham, T.G., Gehring, C.A. (2023). Species, hybrid and genotype effects on leaf litter curling, and their extended consequences for spiders and soil moisture dynamics. Plant and Soil. 492 641-653. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373369854_Species_hybrid_and_genotype_effects_on_leaf_litter_curling_and_their_extended_consequences_for_spiders_and_soil_moisture_dynamics
  • Emmons, S.C., Compson, Z.G., Malish, M.C., Busch, M.H., Saenz, V., Higgins, K.T., Allen, D.C. (2023). DNA metabarcoding captures different macroinvertebrate biodiversity than morphological identification approaches across a continental scale. 5 1307-1320. https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.453
  • Bush, A., Compson, Z.G., Rideout, N.K., Levenstein, B., Kattilakoski, M., Hajibabaei, M., Monk, W.A., Wright, M.T., Baird, D.J. (2023). Replicate DNA metabarcoding can discriminate seasonal and spatial abundance shifts in river macroinvertebrate assemblages. Molecular Ecology. 23 (6) 1275-1287. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13794
  • Zeng, X., Chen, L., Compson, Z.G., Li, J., Peng, Q., Gong, C., Wen, R., Liu, J., Fang, X., Luan, F., Song, Q., Yang, Q. (2022). Encroachment order and spatial patterns of broad-leaf tree species in the naturalization of a Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation. 142 109230. Elsevier.
  • Rideout, N.K., Compson, Z.G., Monk, W.A., Bruce, M.R., Hajibabaei, M., Porter, T.M., Baird, D.J. (2022). Environmental filtering of macroinvertebrate traits influences ecosystem functioning in a large river floodplain. Functional Ecology. 36 2791-2805. British Ecological Society.
  • Leal, L., Hoeinghaus, D.J., Compson, Z.G., Agostinho, A.A., Fernandes, R., Pelicice, F.M. (2021). Changes in the ecosystem functions generated by fish populations after the introduction of a non-native predator (Cichla kelberi). Neotropical Ichthyology. 19 e210041.
  • Jeplawy, J.R., Cooper, H.F., Marks, J.C., Lindroth, R., Andrews, M.I., Compson, Z.G., Gehring, C., Hultine, K., Grady, K., Whitham, T., Allan, G.J., Best, R.J. (2021). Plastic responses to hot temperatures homogenize riparian leaf litter, speed decomposition, and reduce detritivores. Ecology. Ecological Society of America.
  • Rideout, N., Compson, Z., Monk, W.A., Bruce, M.R., Baird, D.J. (2021). The beautiful and the dammed: defining multi-stressor disturbance regimes in an Atlantic river floodplain wetland. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.553094
  • SidersC., Compson, Z., Hungate, B., Dijkstra, P., Koch, Marks, J. (2021). The influence of leaf type on carbon and nitrogen assimilation by aquatic invertebrate communities: a new perspective on trophic efficiency. Ecosystems. Springer. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10021-020-00550-3

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

    Contract

  • Compson, Z.G. (Principal), Hoeinghaus, D.J. (Co-Principal), "Quantitative PCR Primer Development for Early Detection of Invasive Species," sponsored by USGS, Federal, $300000 Funded. (2023 - 2026).
  • Compson, Z.G. (Principal), Hoeinghaus, D.J. (Co-Principal), "Ft. Wolters T&E Aquatics Survey: Using Environmental DNA Metabarcoding to Assess Fish, Amphibian, and Snake Assemblages in a Freshwater Complex," sponsored by Texas Military Department, State, $32000 Funded. (2022 - 2023).
  • Grant - Research

  • Feng, Y. (Principal), Compson, Z.G. (Co-Principal), "MINE: Models for Improved Natural-language Exploration—applications for rapid expansion of trait databases for food web modeling," sponsored by UNT CENG-COS, University of North Texas, $10000 Funded. (2023).
  • Hoeinghaus, D.J. (Principal), Compson, Z.G. (Co-Principal), Montana, C. (Co-Principal), "Population assessment of Smalleye (Notropis buccula) and Sharpnose (Notropis oxyrhynchus) shiners in the Brazos River and data-driven recommendations for long-term monitoring," sponsored by Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, State, $558510 Funded. (2022 - 2025).
  • Compson, Z.G. (Principal), Bhowmick, S. (Co-Principal), Lichtenberg, E.M. (Co-Principal), Bohenek, J. (Co-Principal), "GRAPH-N: Generating Rapid Applications for Predicting Heuristic Networks," sponsored by COS & COE, University of North Texas, $10000 Funded. (2023 - 2024).
  • Compson, Z.G. (Principal), Hoeinghaus, D.J. (Co-Principal), "Assessing the drivers of trophic dynamics at local and continental scales," sponsored by University of North Texas, University of North Texas, $9964 Funded. (2021 - 2021).
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Overall
Summative Rating
Challenge and
Engagement Index
Response Rate

out of 5

out of 7
%
of
students responded
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
    • The course as a whole was
    • The course content was
    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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