Brett L. Hodinka, M.Sc.
Department of Biological Sciences
Simon Fraser University
Email: [email protected]
EDUCATION
2023 Ph.D., In prog., Simon Fraser University at Burnaby, BC, Canada
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tony D. Williams
2019 M.Sc., Western Kentucky University at Bowling Green, KY, USA
Principal Investigator: Dr. Noah T. Ashley
2015 B.Sc., The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
PUBLICATIONS
2021 Payette, W.I., Hodinka, B.L., Pullum, K.B., Richter, M.M., Ashley, N.T. 202X. Pharmacological inhibition of sleep using modafinil, an anti-narcolepsy drug, reveals behavioral and fitness costs of arctic-breeding songbirds. Journal of Experimental Biology [pre-print].
2020 Hodinka, B.L., & Ashley, N.T. 2020. Effect of sleep loss on executive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). Hormones and Behavior, 122, 104765.
202X [In Preparation] Richter, M.M., Hodinka, B.L., Pullum, K.B., Ashley, N.T. 202X. Melatonin supplementation alters parental care in male snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) and Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus).
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2019–present Doctoral Dissertation, The costs of parental care: investigating the physiological and behavioral adaptations related to increased workload and costs of reproduction, Tony D. Williams, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University
2018–2019 Examining the sleep/wake cycles of free-living arctic-breeding songbirds exposed to continuous polar light, Noah T. Ashley, Ph.D., Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University
2017–2019 Master’s Thesis, Effect of sleep loss on executive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus), Noah T. Ashley, Ph.D., Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University
2017 The restoration and relocation of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus), David Delehanty, Ph.D. & Steven Mathews, Ph.D. student, Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, and greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
2016–2017 Susceptibility to sudden cardiac death in male African American athletes, Irfan M. Asif, M.D., Greenville Health System, Department of Family Medicine, Greenville, South Carolina
2015 Metacommunity structure in beaver-formed ponds, Jennifer G. Howeth, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama
2014–2015 Oxidative stress and early development in zebrafish (Danio rerio), Andrew Holowiecki, Ph.D. student, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama
2014 Yellowstone National Park field study, Samantha Hansen, Ph.D., Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Alabama & George Clokey, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
2012–2015 The role of oxidative stress responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model for neurodegenerative disease, Matthew J. Jenny, Ph.D, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, & AWARDS (Totals: $84,500 CAD, $7,350 USD)
2019 Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship, Simon Fraser University ($84,000 CAD)
2019 Travel and Minor Research Award, Simon Fraser University ($500 CAD)
2018 Graduate Student Conference Travel, Western Kentucky University ($500 USD)
2018 Student Travel Fund, Western Kentucky University ($350 USD)
2018 Professional Development Fund, Western Kentucky University ($500 USD)
2018 Graduate Student Research Grant, Western Kentucky University ($3,000 USD)
2014 Yellowstone NP Research Fund, The University of Alabama ($3,000 USD)
PRESENTATIONS
Conference Talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L. & Williams, T.D. Testing how rapidly birds can respond to experimentally increased mass. In: The 61st (Virtual) Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology; 2021 Jan 3–7; Washington, D.C.
2020 Hodinka, B.L. & Ashley, N.T. Effect of sleep loss on executive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). In: The 60th Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology; 2020 Jan 3–7; Austin, TX.
2019 Hodinka, B.L. & Ashley, N.T. Effect of sleep loss on cognitive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). In: The 49th Annual WKU Student Research Conference; 2019 Mar 23; Bowling Green, KY.
2019 Hodinka, B.L. & Ashley, N.T. Effect of sleep loss on cognitive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). In: The 59th Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology; 2019 Jan 3–7; Tampa, FL.
2018 Hodinka, B.L. & Ashley N.T. Effect of sleep loss on cognitive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). In: The Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science; 2018 Nov 2–3; Bowling Green, KY.
Invited Talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L & Ashley, N.T. Sleeping under the midnight sun: The physiological and behavioral effects of sleep loss in an arctic-breeding songbird. The School of Natural Sciences seminar series. Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom. 10 February 2021.
Other talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L. & Williams, T.D. How do birds assess their own body mass? Testing how zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) respond to experimentally increased mass. Department of Biological Sciences Les Ecologistes seminar series. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia. 25 February 2021.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2020 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Simon Fraser University
MENTORSHIP
2021–present Rebekah Teshome; Simon Fraser University
2018–2019 Alyson Manley and Blake Hicks; Western Kentucky University
2017–2019 Wesley Payette†, Keelee Pullum*, Zoe Ward*, Edwin Fields*, Ian Storrs*, and Anna Strunjas*
ACADEMIC SERVICE
2020–present Chair; Biological Sciences Graduate Caucus, Simon Fraser University
2019–2020 Treasurer; Biological Sciences Graduate Caucus, Simon Fraser University
2018–2019 President; Biology Graduate Student Society, Western Kentucky University
2017–2018 Secretary; Biology Graduate Student Society, Western Kentucky University
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH
General Audience Publications
2021 Hodinka, B.L. Newsroom: Sleeping under the midnight sun. In The Ethogram. 25 January 2021. https://theethogram.com/2021/01/25/newsroom-sleeping-under-the-midnight-sun/
General Audience Talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L. On becoming an evolutionary biologist (wait, you get paid to do that?). Salisbury High School, Salisbury, North Carolina. 26 February 2021.
2020 Hodinka, B.L. Animals and their behavioral adaptations. Brighton School, Mountlake Terrace, Washington. 10 December 2020.
Upcoming Talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L. On becoming a scientist: my path to studying animals and their amazing adaptations. E.T. Richardson Middle School, Springfield, Pennsylvania. 15 March 2021.
2021 Hodinka, B.L. Title Pending. Springfield High School, Springfield, Pennsylvania. April 2021.
Podcasts
2020 Banotai, C. (Host). 9 February 2020. Brett Hodinka: Exit Sandman (Episode 6). In Bio-Breakdown Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode-6/Bio-Breakdown-Podcast
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
2018–present The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
2018–2019 Kentucky Academy of Science
CERTIFICATIONS/PERMITS
2020 COVID-19 Awareness & Safe Return-to-Work Training (ID #18974195)
2020 Laboratory Safety Training, Environmental Health & Safety, Simon Fraser University
2020 Capture & banding migratory birds sub-permit, Bird Banding Office (Permit #10646T)
2019 CCAC Animal User Training Course (Certificate #1087-2019)
2019 Arctic field training, U.S. National Science Foundation
2017 ATV/UTV operation, United States Geological Survey
2017 Wilderness first aid & CPR, Emergency Care & Safety Institute
2017 Graduate teaching assistant training, Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning
Department of Biological Sciences
Simon Fraser University
Email: [email protected]
EDUCATION
2023 Ph.D., In prog., Simon Fraser University at Burnaby, BC, Canada
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tony D. Williams
2019 M.Sc., Western Kentucky University at Bowling Green, KY, USA
Principal Investigator: Dr. Noah T. Ashley
2015 B.Sc., The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
PUBLICATIONS
2021 Payette, W.I., Hodinka, B.L., Pullum, K.B., Richter, M.M., Ashley, N.T. 202X. Pharmacological inhibition of sleep using modafinil, an anti-narcolepsy drug, reveals behavioral and fitness costs of arctic-breeding songbirds. Journal of Experimental Biology [pre-print].
2020 Hodinka, B.L., & Ashley, N.T. 2020. Effect of sleep loss on executive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). Hormones and Behavior, 122, 104765.
202X [In Preparation] Richter, M.M., Hodinka, B.L., Pullum, K.B., Ashley, N.T. 202X. Melatonin supplementation alters parental care in male snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) and Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus).
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2019–present Doctoral Dissertation, The costs of parental care: investigating the physiological and behavioral adaptations related to increased workload and costs of reproduction, Tony D. Williams, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University
- Primary duties: trapping, banding, blood sampling, nest/brood checks, and data entry
- Avian capture techniques: Van Ert nest box traps and ‘sponging’
- Developed a novel in-field remote nest box weighing system and designed weighted avian backpack devices
- Avian husbandry of 500+ zebra finches in a laboratory setting
2018–2019 Examining the sleep/wake cycles of free-living arctic-breeding songbirds exposed to continuous polar light, Noah T. Ashley, Ph.D., Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University
- Primary duties: trapping, banding, blood sampling, nest/brood checks, and data entry
- Avian capture techniques: potter traps, clap nets with playback, and mist nets
- Performed in-field subcutaneous silastic capsule and osmotic pump implants, alar wing vein bleeds, and corticosterone stress series on Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus) and snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis)
- Conducted summer field research on the arctic tundra of Utqiagvik, Alaska
2017–2019 Master’s Thesis, Effect of sleep loss on executive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus), Noah T. Ashley, Ph.D., Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University
- Primary duties: maintaining Lapland longspurs in an indoor vivarium, alar wing vein bleeds, and video-recording daily cognitive trials pre- and post-sleep fragmentation
- Measured plasma corticosterone levels using ELISA immunoassay kits
- Maintained a colony of mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) used for supplemental bird food
2017 The restoration and relocation of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus), David Delehanty, Ph.D. & Steven Mathews, Ph.D. student, Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, and greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Primary duties: trapping, banding, and collaring Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (CSTG) and greater sage-grouse (GSGR), radio-telemetry, nest and brood checks, predator surveys, lek counts, and vegetation surveys
- Jointly employed by the USGS to assist in the capture, transport, and monitoring of CSTGs for a reintroduction project in Nevada
- Avian capture techniques: spotlighting with hand nets and playback, and walk-in funnel traps
- Worked as part of a five-person regional team outside Ely, Nevada with daily independent field work
- Lived and conducted field research in rugged and remote locations under extreme weather conditions and variable work hours using 4WD vehicles, ATVs, GPS, and tents
- Hiked >10 km daily across Northeastern Nevada, Idaho, and Utah
2016–2017 Susceptibility to sudden cardiac death in male African American athletes, Irfan M. Asif, M.D., Greenville Health System, Department of Family Medicine, Greenville, South Carolina
- Primary duties: scheduling study dates with 10 collegiate athletic directors and coordinating availability with hospital personnel
- Assisted with echocardiograms and electrocardiograms
- Conducted field studies across 10 college campuses in upstate South Carolina
2015 Metacommunity structure in beaver-formed ponds, Jennifer G. Howeth, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama
- Primary duties: using traditional small fish capture methods, deploying and checking traps daily, and identifying all caught organisms
- Collected data such as species, sex, weight, and length of organisms caught
2014–2015 Oxidative stress and early development in zebrafish (Danio rerio), Andrew Holowiecki, Ph.D. student, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama
- Primary duties: dechorionating zebrafish embryos, following immunostaining protocols, utilizing Sudan Black and Acridine Orange stain, and fixing embryos for electron microscopy
2014 Yellowstone National Park field study, Samantha Hansen, Ph.D., Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Alabama & George Clokey, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Primary duties: animal tracking, identifying rock strata, characterizing trophic levels, identifying trees, flowers, and fungi, and developing an understanding of the metacommunity within the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem
2012–2015 The role of oxidative stress responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model for neurodegenerative disease, Matthew J. Jenny, Ph.D, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama
- Primary duties: conducting cognitive learning and memory assays and assisting in the maintenance of over 1,000 zebrafish
- Laboratory techniques included microscopy, PCR, and gel electrophoresis
- Used movement tracking software to assess learning and memory patterns of zebrafish
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, & AWARDS (Totals: $84,500 CAD, $7,350 USD)
2019 Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship, Simon Fraser University ($84,000 CAD)
2019 Travel and Minor Research Award, Simon Fraser University ($500 CAD)
2018 Graduate Student Conference Travel, Western Kentucky University ($500 USD)
2018 Student Travel Fund, Western Kentucky University ($350 USD)
2018 Professional Development Fund, Western Kentucky University ($500 USD)
2018 Graduate Student Research Grant, Western Kentucky University ($3,000 USD)
2014 Yellowstone NP Research Fund, The University of Alabama ($3,000 USD)
PRESENTATIONS
Conference Talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L. & Williams, T.D. Testing how rapidly birds can respond to experimentally increased mass. In: The 61st (Virtual) Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology; 2021 Jan 3–7; Washington, D.C.
2020 Hodinka, B.L. & Ashley, N.T. Effect of sleep loss on executive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). In: The 60th Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology; 2020 Jan 3–7; Austin, TX.
2019 Hodinka, B.L. & Ashley, N.T. Effect of sleep loss on cognitive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). In: The 49th Annual WKU Student Research Conference; 2019 Mar 23; Bowling Green, KY.
- 1st place in session (out of 6)
2019 Hodinka, B.L. & Ashley, N.T. Effect of sleep loss on cognitive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). In: The 59th Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology; 2019 Jan 3–7; Tampa, FL.
2018 Hodinka, B.L. & Ashley N.T. Effect of sleep loss on cognitive function and baseline plasma corticosterone levels in an arctic-breeding songbird, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). In: The Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science; 2018 Nov 2–3; Bowling Green, KY.
Invited Talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L & Ashley, N.T. Sleeping under the midnight sun: The physiological and behavioral effects of sleep loss in an arctic-breeding songbird. The School of Natural Sciences seminar series. Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom. 10 February 2021.
Other talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L. & Williams, T.D. How do birds assess their own body mass? Testing how zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) respond to experimentally increased mass. Department of Biological Sciences Les Ecologistes seminar series. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia. 25 February 2021.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2020 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Simon Fraser University
- BISC 455, Endocrinology (Fall 2020)
- Mentored two undergraduate students in collection and analysis of avian behavioral data
- BIOL 114, General Biology Laboratory (Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019)
- BIOL 121, Biological Concepts Laboratory: Cells, Metabolism, and Genetics (Fall 2018)
MENTORSHIP
2021–present Rebekah Teshome; Simon Fraser University
- Mentoring student on video analysis of avian behavioral data, collection of morphometric data, and physiological assays
- Trained on university animal care protocol (zebra finch husbandry)
2018–2019 Alyson Manley and Blake Hicks; Western Kentucky University
- Mentored two undergraduate students in collection and analysis of avian behavioral data
2017–2019 Wesley Payette†, Keelee Pullum*, Zoe Ward*, Edwin Fields*, Ian Storrs*, and Anna Strunjas*
- Trained one Western Kentucky University graduate student† and five Gatton High School students* on in-field avian data collection in Utqiaġvik, Alaska
ACADEMIC SERVICE
2020–present Chair; Biological Sciences Graduate Caucus, Simon Fraser University
2019–2020 Treasurer; Biological Sciences Graduate Caucus, Simon Fraser University
2018–2019 President; Biology Graduate Student Society, Western Kentucky University
2017–2018 Secretary; Biology Graduate Student Society, Western Kentucky University
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH
General Audience Publications
2021 Hodinka, B.L. Newsroom: Sleeping under the midnight sun. In The Ethogram. 25 January 2021. https://theethogram.com/2021/01/25/newsroom-sleeping-under-the-midnight-sun/
General Audience Talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L. On becoming an evolutionary biologist (wait, you get paid to do that?). Salisbury High School, Salisbury, North Carolina. 26 February 2021.
2020 Hodinka, B.L. Animals and their behavioral adaptations. Brighton School, Mountlake Terrace, Washington. 10 December 2020.
Upcoming Talks
2021 Hodinka, B.L. On becoming a scientist: my path to studying animals and their amazing adaptations. E.T. Richardson Middle School, Springfield, Pennsylvania. 15 March 2021.
2021 Hodinka, B.L. Title Pending. Springfield High School, Springfield, Pennsylvania. April 2021.
Podcasts
2020 Banotai, C. (Host). 9 February 2020. Brett Hodinka: Exit Sandman (Episode 6). In Bio-Breakdown Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/episode-6/Bio-Breakdown-Podcast
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
2018–present The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
2018–2019 Kentucky Academy of Science
CERTIFICATIONS/PERMITS
2020 COVID-19 Awareness & Safe Return-to-Work Training (ID #18974195)
2020 Laboratory Safety Training, Environmental Health & Safety, Simon Fraser University
2020 Capture & banding migratory birds sub-permit, Bird Banding Office (Permit #10646T)
2019 CCAC Animal User Training Course (Certificate #1087-2019)
2019 Arctic field training, U.S. National Science Foundation
2017 ATV/UTV operation, United States Geological Survey
2017 Wilderness first aid & CPR, Emergency Care & Safety Institute
2017 Graduate teaching assistant training, Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning