The Vertebrate Museum at Southeastern Louisiana University is an active scientific research museum dedicated to preserving and expanding our regional vertebrate collections. The museum relies on grant funding to maintain, curate, and grow its collection. The support of our skilled personnel and broaden both size and scientific scope of our work.
Curator of Vertebrates, Edward G. Schlieder Foundation Professor of Environmental
Studies and Sustainability, and Graduate Coordinator
Phone:+1 (985) 549-2191 | Fax: +1 (985) 549-3851 | Email:[email protected] | Dr. Piller’s website
Research Interests: Systematics | Evolution | Ecology | Conservation Genetics | eDNA
Student Collection Manager – Herpetology
Email: [email protected]
Student Collection Manager – Ichthyology
Email: [email protected]
Instructor of Biological Sciences Department
Email: [email protected] | Dr. Fontenot’s recent publications
Research Interests: Behavior, conservation, and evolutionary ecology of amphibians and reptiles | Long-term (2003-present) wetlands snake assemblage study in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin | Evolution of vision in snakes
Professor of Biological Sciences Department
Email: [email protected] | Dr. Beachy’s website
Research Interests: Life history biology | Amphibian metamorphosis
Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Center for Environmental Research of Biological Sciences Department. Focuses on invertebrate communities of Lake Maurepas—particularly shrimp, blue crab, and Rangia clams—covering data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Email: [email protected] | Dr. Mott’s recent publications
Effects of benthic bivalves on estuarine ecosystem processes
Ecological interactions of invasive invertebrates in estuarine systems
Research Interests: Animal Behavior | Biogeography | Ecosystem Engineers | Invasions | Invertebrate Community Ecology | Mutualisms | Personality
Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Center for Environmental Research of Biological Sciences Department – Specializes on using bioinformatic analyses to examine large-scale genetic datasets and investigate patterns of genetic variation, genetic structure, and evolution of fish populations. Dr. Camak is specifically interested in understanding population dynamics over time, management of important fisheries species, management of rare or endangered species, and adaptation in a rapidly changing environment.
Email: [email protected] | Dr. Camak’s recent publications.
Research Interests: Population Genomics | Conservation Genomics | Bioinformatics | Ichthyology | Phylogenetics | Evolution |
Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Center for Environmental Research of Biological Sciences Department – Aquantitative ecologist dedicated to transforming complex data into practical insights that guide conservation, management, and restoration efforts. Dr. Coleman specializes in robust study design, advanced analytics, and a CHANS approach to understand ecosystems across scales—from microbiomes to crocodiles, birds, and fishes. His goal is to produce precise, purpose-driven science that supports both communities and environmental managers while mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Email: [email protected] | Dr. Coleman’s website
Research Interests: Coupled Human and Natural Systems (CHANS) | Quantitative Ecology | Applied Research | Data Science | Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology | Population Dynamics