Faculty Profile

Zacchaeus Compson

Title
Assistant Professor
Department
Biological Sciences
College
College of Science

    

    

      


                          

            
Curriculum Vitae

            

              Click Here to View Faculty CV
            

          

        
                          

            
Education

            



  

  


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





          

        
                

          
Current Scheduled Teaching*


          
BIOL 1720.004, Biology for Science Majors II, Spring 2024 Syllabus
BIOL 1722.001, Honors Biology for Science Majors II, Spring 2024 Syllabus
BIOL 6940.726, Individual Research, Spring 2024 


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  


    

    

      


        


          


            
Previous Scheduled Teaching*


            
                    

                    BIOL 6940.726, Individual Research, Fall 2023 
                    

                    BIOL 5950.726, Master's Thesis, Fall 2023 
                    

                    BIOL 4260.001, Principles of Evolution, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 4261.501, Principles of Evolution Laboratory, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 4951.726, Honors College Capstone Thesis, Spring 2023 
                    

                    BIOL 6940.726, Individual Research, Spring 2023 
                    

                    BIOL 5950.726, Master's Thesis, Spring 2023 
                    

                    BIOL 4900.726, Special Problems, Spring 2023 
                    

                    BIOL 6940.726, Individual Research, Fall 2022 
                    

                    BIOL 4260.001, Principles of Evolution, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 4261.501, Principles of Evolution Laboratory, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 4900.726, Special Problems, Fall 2022 
                    

                    BIOL 4260.001, Principles of Evolution, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 5260.001, Principles of Evolution, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 4261.501, Principles of Evolution Laboratory, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 5261.501, Principles of Evolution Laboratory, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 4910.726, Special Problems, Spring 2022 
                    

                    BIOL 6940.726, Individual Research, Fall 2021 
                    

                    BIOL 4260.001, Principles of Evolution, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 4261.501, Principles of Evolution Laboratory, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 5900.726, Special Problems, Fall 2021 
                    

                    BIOL 4260.001, Principles of Evolution, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    BIOL 5260.001, Principles of Evolution, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT

          


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  

  
  	

	

	  

		

		   
Published Publications



  

  
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
Siders, C., 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



	
		
		
	  

	

	

  
    
	

	

	  

		

		   
Awarded Grants



  
  
  	  
          
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. (September 1, 2023 – August 31, 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. (September 1, 2022 – December 31, 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 – Present).
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. (January 1, 2022 – December 25, 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. (April 21, 2021 – December 31, 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
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    • The course content was
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    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
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    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
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  • 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
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    • The intellectual challenge presented was
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    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
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    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
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    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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