EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, Environmental Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
current Eastern Connecticut State University, Executive Director, Instititute for Sustainability
Eastern Connecticut State University, Tenured Professor, Department of Biology
2021-22 Eastern Connecticut State University, Interim Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
2017-21 Eastern Connecticut State University, Director, University Honors Program
2014-18 Eastern Connecticut State University, John C. Hicks Endowed Chair for Undergraduate Research
2017 Eastern Connecticut State University, Tenured Professor, Department of Biology
2012 Eastern Connecticut State University, Tenured Assoc. Professor
2007 Eastern Connecticut State University, Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
2005-07 Wayne State College, Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Sciences
2004-05 Eastern Connecticut State University, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
2004 Massachusetts College of Pharm & Health Science, Instructor
2003 University of Massachusetts at Boston, Lecturer
2002-03 Bentley College, Adjunct Faculty
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS (* DENOTES UG STUDENT AUTHOR) 1997 – 2023, *denotes student author
21- Shepard, N.G., Szczys, P., Moore, D.J., Reudink, M.W., Costa, J.N., Jahn, A.E. and McKellar, A.E. 2023 Weak genetic structure, shared nonbreeding areas, and extensive movement in a declining waterbird. Ornithological Applications 125: 1-14 https://academic.oup.com/ Layperson blog post: https://americanornithology.org/
20 - Arnold, J.M., Oswald, S., Wilson, S. and Szczys, P. 2022 Understanding widespread declines for Common Terns across inland Canada: Productivity estimates, causes of reproductive failure, and movement of Common Terns breeding in the large lakes of Manitoba. Avian Conservation and Ecology 17(1): 14 https://www.ace-eco.org/vol17/iss1/art14/
19- Ledwon, M. and Szczys, P. 2021 Extra-pair paternity in a species with frequent extra-pair courtship feedings, few extra-pair copulations, and male-biased parental care. Journal of Ornithology 163: 437-444 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10336-021-01954-1
18- Dayton*, J. and Szczys, P. 2021 Metapopulation connectivity mitigates permanent loss of historical genetic diversity in a federally endangered seabird. Ornithology Applications 123(4): 1-17 https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duab037
17- Szczys, P, Oswald, S. and Arnold, J.M. 2017 Conservation implications of long-distance migration routes: regional metapopulation structure, asymmetrical dispersal, and population declines. Biological Conservation. 209: 263-272 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2017.02.012
16- Dayton*, J., Ledwon, M, Paillisson, J.M., Atamas, N., and Szczys, P. 2017. Population Structure of the Eurasian Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), a species exhibiting range expansion. Waterbirds. 40(2): 105-117 https://doi.org/10.1675/063.040.0203
15- Szczys, P., Lamothe*, K., Druzyaka, A., Poot, M., Siokhin, V., and van der Winden, J. 2017. Range-wide patterns of population differentiation of Eurasian black terns (Chlidonias niger niger) related to use of discrete staging sites. Journal of Ornithology 158(2): 365-378 https://doi.org/10.1675/063.040.0203
14- Mostello, C., LaFlamme, D., and Szczys, P. 2016 Common Tern and Arctic Tern hybridization produces fertile offspring. Seabird 29: 39-65 http://www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/seabird-29-39
13- Nisbet, I., Monticelli, D., and Szczys, P. 2016 Pre-breeding Survival of Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii varies by sex, hatching order, and hatching date. Ibis 158: 327-334 https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12359
12- Szczys, P., Wingate, D. and Nisbet, I. 2012. Conservation Genetics of the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) in the North Atlantic region; implications for the critically endangered population at Bermuda. Conservation Genetics 13:1039-1043 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-012-0351-0
11- Palestis, B., I.C.T. Nisbet, Hatch, P. Szczys, and J. Spendelow 2012. Morphometric sexing of Northwest Atlantic Roseate Terns. Waterbirds 35:479-484 https://doi.org/10.1675/063.035.0312
10- Palestis, B., I.C.T. Nisbet, Hatch, J., Arnold, J., and Szczys, P., 2012. Tail length and sexual selection in a monogamous, monomorphic species, the Roseate Tern. Journal of Ornithology 153:1153-1163 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-012-0846-y
9- Nisbet, I.C.T., Szczys, P., Mostello, C., and Fox, J.W. 2011. Female Common Terns depart on autumn migration earlier than males. Seabird 24:103-106. http://www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/journals/seabird-24/seabird-24-103.pdf
8- Nisbet, I.C.T., Wingate, D.B., and Szczys, P. 2010. Demographic consequences of a catastrophic event in the isolated population of Common Terns at Bermuda. Waterbirds 33:405-410. https://doi.org/10.1675/063.033.0319
7- Nisbet, I.C.T., Bridge, E. S., Szczys, P., and Heidinger, B.J. 2007. Sexual dimorphism, assortative mating, and female-female pairs in common terns. Waterbirds 20:169-216. https://doi.org/10.1675/1524-4695(2007)30[169:SDFPAT]2.0.CO;2
6- Szczys, P., Hughes, C.R., and Kesseli, R. 2005. Novel microsatellite markers used to determine the population genetic structure of the endangered Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii, in the Northwest Atlantic and Western Australia. Conservation Genetics 6:461-466. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-004-4975-6
5- Szczys, P., Spendelow, J., and Nisbet, I.C.T. 2005. Sex ratio and early growth patterns of Roseate Tern chicks during fine breeding seasons at Falkner Island, CT. Waterbirds 28: 273-279. https://doi.org/10.1675/1524-4695(2005)028[0273:SRAEGP]2.0.CO;2
4- Nisbet, I.C.T. and Szczys, P. 2001. Sex does not affect growth or survival in chicks of the Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii. Waterbirds 24: 45-49. https://doi.org/10.2307/1522242
3- Szczys, P., Nisbet, I.C.T., Hatch, J.J., and Kesseli, R. 2001. Sex ratio bias at hatching
and fledging in the Roseate Tern. Condor 103: 385-389. https://doi.org/10.1093/condor/103.2.385
2- Hatch, J.J. and Szczys, P. 2000. Lack of evidence for female-female pairs among Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii in Western Australia. Emu 100:152-155. https://doi.org/10.1071/MU00908
1- Szczys, P. and Hughes, C.R. 1997. Determination of the genetic mating system of a neo-tropical parrot using microsatellite genotype data. Proceedings of the North Dakota Academy of Science 51: 155.