1. AARON CROSS
187 S. Main Street, Losantville, Indiana | C: (765)-625-1411 | aaronacross@gmail.com
EDUCATION
2014 Bachelor of Science: Biology
Ball State University ‐ Muncie, Indiana
Cum Laude with Departmental Honors in Biology
GPA: 3.71/4.0, GPA within Biology Major: 3.60/4.0
GRE: Verbal (159), Quantitative (156), Analytical Writing (4.5)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Behavioral ecology, mammalian cognition and intelligence, predator-prey
relationships, social behavior and hierarchy dynamics, human-wildlife conflict
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
01/2016 to 02/2016 Volunteer Researcher
Project: Behavioral Ecology of South African Carnivores
African Impact – Hoedspruit, South Africa
03/2013 to Current Assistant Researcher
Project: Lunar Phobia in Temperate Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on
Bat Activity
Ball State University, Laboratory of Timothy Carter - Muncie, Indiana
03/2012 to 04/2013 Assistant Researcher
Project: Earlywood and Latewood Growth Responses in Northern Red Oak: The Effect of
Climate at Ft. Defiance in Iowa
Ball State University, Laboratory of David LeBlanc ‐ Muncie, Indiana
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
01/2016 to Present Instructor
Course(s): Animal Behavior (Spring 2016)
Indiana University East, Department of Biology
WORK HISTORY
03/2015 to 10/2015 Biological Field Technician
West, Inc.
05/2015 to 07/2015, Mobile Acoustic Bat Survey Technician
2014, 2013 Indiana Department of Natural Resources
2. 08/2014 to 12/2014 Bat Behavior Analysis Project Leader
Shoener Environmental, Inc.
SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, AND AWARDS
03/2014 Outstanding Undergraduate in the Field Sciences Award
Given By: Department of Biology, Ball State University
03/2014 Outstanding Student Achievement Award
Given By: Department of Biology, Ball State University
12/2013 Departmental Honors in Biology
Given By: The Honors College & Department of Biology, Ball State University
02/2014 University Finalist for Academic Honors in Writing
Given By: Department of English, Ball State University
02/2014 Third Place in Ball State University's Campus-Wide Writing Competition ($25)
Given By: Department of English, Ball State University
01/2014 Finalist for the Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award
Given By: Michigan Division of the Wildlife Society
11/2013 Aspire Student Travel Grant ($75)
Given By: Ball State University's Aspire Internal Grant Program
05/2013 Rinker and Yuhas Study Abroad Scholarship ($500)
Given By: Ball State University's Rinker Center for International Studies
03/2013 Keys-Litten-Smith Award- Most Compelling Project at Ball State Student
Symposium ($100)
Given By: Ball State University's Sponsored Program Office
PAPERS IN PREP
Owen, D.A.S., A. Cross, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. Lunar Phobia in Temperate
Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on Bat Activity. In Preparation
HONORS THESIS
Cross, A. 2013. Earlywood and Latewood Growth Responses in Northern Red Oak: The
Effect of Climate at Ft. Defiance in Iowa.
TECHNICAL PAPERS
Shoener Environmental Inc. and J. R. Skalski. 2015. 2014 Bat Behavior and
Carcass Monitoring Report: Research Results of Deterrent and Turbine
Curtailment Strategies. A technical report submitted to: California Ridge Wind
Energy, LLC. Dated: January 30, 2015. 82 pp.
3. INVITED LECTURES
Cross, A. 2015. A Beginner’s Perspective to Biology: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Oral Presentation. Given as part of the Visiting Fellows Program at Ball State
University. Muncie, Indiana.
PRESENTATIONS
Cross, A. 2013. Earlywood and Latewood Growth Responses in Northern Red Oak: The
Effect of Climate at Ft. Defiance in Iowa. Oral Presentation. 128th Annual Meeting of
the Indiana Academy of Science. Indianapolis, Indiana.
Cross, A. 2013. Earlywood and Latewood Growth Responses in Northern Red Oak: The
Effect of Climate at Ft. Defiance in Iowa. Oral Presentation. Midwest Ecology and
Evolution Conference. Notre Dame University. South Bend, Indiana.
Cross, A. 2013. Earlywood and Latewood Growth Responses in Northern Red Oak: The
Effect of Climate at Ft. Defiance in Iowa. Poster Presentation. Ball State Student
Symposium. Ball State University. Muncie, Indiana.
Cross, A., D.A.S. Owen, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. 2013. Influence of
Environmental Variables and Lunar Cycle on the Feeding Ecology of Three Midwestern
Myotis. Poster Presentation. 5th Midwest Bat Working Group Conference. Ball State
University. Muncie, Indiana.
Cross, A., D.A.S. Owen, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. 2014. Lunar Phobia in
Temperate Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on Bat Activity. Poster
Presentation. 74th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Kansas City, Missouri.
Cross, A., D.A.S. Owen, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. 2014. Lunar Phobia in
Temperate Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on Bat Activity.Poster
Presentation. 19th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Bat Diversity Network and the
24th Colloquium on Conservation of Mammals in the Southeastern United States.
Stephen F. Austin State University. Nacogdoches, Texas.
Cross, A., D.A.S. Owen, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. 2014. Lunar Phobia in
Temperate Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on Bat Activity. Poster
Presentation. Joint Spring Meeting of the The Indiana Chapters of the Wildlife Society
and the American Fisheries Society. Ball State University. Muncie, Indiana.
Cross, A., D.A.S. Owen, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. 2014. Lunar Phobia in
Temperate Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on Bat Activity. Poster
Presentation. Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference. University of Dayton.
Dayton, Ohio.
Cross, A., D.A.S. Owen, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. 2014. Lunar Phobia in
Temperate Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on Bat Activity. Poster
Presentation. 129th Annual Meeting of the Indiana Academy of Science. Indianapolis,
Indiana.
Cross, A., D.A.S. Owen, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. 2014. Lunar Phobia in
4. Temperate Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on Bat Activity. Poster
Presentation. Ball State Student Symposium. Ball State University. Muncie, Indiana.
Cross, A., D.A.S. Owen, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. 2014. Lunar Phobia in
Temperate Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on Bat Activity. Poster
Presentation. 6th Midwest Bat Working Group Conference. Indiana State University.
Terre Haute, Indiana.
Cross, A., D.A.S. Owen, T.C. Carter, and T.J. Sichmeller. 2014. Lunar Phobia in
Temperate Vespertilionid Bats: Modeling Moonlight's Impact on Bat Activity. Poster
Presentation. 26th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference. Butler University.
Indianapolis, Indiana.
SERVICE POSITIONS
11/2015 Visiting Fellow
Ball State University – Muncie, Indiana
12/2014 to 05/2014 Department of Biology Student Advisory Board Member
Ball State University – Muncie, Indiana
EXPERIENCE ABROAD
01/2016 to 02/2016 Volunteer Researcher in South Africa
Hoedspruit, South Africa
Partner Organization: African Impact
05/2013 Field Study in South Africa
Ball State University ‐ Muncie, Indiana
Professor Abroad: Kamal Islam
VOLUNTEER HISTORY
04/2014 Orchid Greenhouse Construction - Volunteer
04/2014 Science Day 2014 - Volunteer
03/2014 Cleaning Up Craddock in Partnership with Muncie-Delaware Clean and Beautiful
– Volunteer
09/2013 White River Cleanup in Partnership with Muncie-Delaware Clean and Beautiful-
Group Leader and Volunteer
09/2013 Craddock Wetland Preserve Education Event in Partnership with Motivate Our
Minds - Educator and Volunteer
08/2013 Wildlife Resqu Haus - Volunteer
04/2013 Ball State Christy Woods Spring Greenhouse Sale - Assistant
5. 04/2013 Science Day 2013 - Volunteer
11/2012 Department of Natural Resources Deer Check Station - Volunteer
08/2012 Red-Tail Land Conservancy - Volunteer
COURSEWORK
Mammalogy, Herpetology, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Introduction to GIS, Forestry,
Plant Ecology, Introduction to Botany, Biometry, Methods in Ecology, Evolution, Cell
Biology, Genetics, Principles of Biology, Organic Chemistry, Introduction to
Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Ecological Anthropology, Applied Calculus
AFFILIATIONS
American Society of Mammalogists
The Animal Behaviour Society
The Wildlife Society (Ball State Chapter) - Treasurer: 2013-2014
Golden Key International Honour Society
Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary
Eta Sigma Phi National Latin, Greek, and Classics Honorary
SAACS- Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society
SKILLS
Application Based
● Trained in radio telemetry
● Trained in firearm use
● Trained in forestry practices
● Trained in tree identification
● Able to conduct small mammal trapping
● Able to conduct turtle trapping
● Working knowledge of chemical immobilization
● Working knowledge of herbicide use
● Able to operate a GPS device
● Trained in animal aging techniques (primarily ungulate species)
● Able to set-up and use mist nets
● Trained in statistical tests (Pearson's r, Two sample t-test, ect.)
● Able to use a compass
● Able to read topographic maps
Mechanical
6. ● Can operate a chainsaw, string trimmer, mower, and bush-hog
● Some equipment repair knowledge
● Can operate ATV vehicles
● Can operate both automatic and manual transmission vehicles as well as 4-
wheel drive trucks
● Experience with hauling trailers
Computer Based and Technical
● GIS (Geographic Information Systems) - Limited Proficiency
● R Statistical Software – Limited Proficiency
● Minitab Statistical Software - Limited Proficiency
● Microsoft Office – Proficient
● Video Cleaner Software – Proficient
7. REFERENCES
Neil Sabine, Ph.D
Dean, School of Natural Science and Mathematics
Professor of Biology
Indiana University East
Email: nsabine@iue.edu
Phone: (765) 973-8389
Job Supervisor and Partner Instructor
Nicholas C. Kawa, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of Anthropology
The Ohio State University
Email: kawa.5@osu.edu
Phone: (614) 292-2391
Former Instructor
Timothy Carter, Ph.D
● Associate Professor of Biology
● Ball State University
● Email: tccarter@bsu.edu
● Phone: (765) 285-8842
● Former Instructor and Research Supervisor
David LeBlanc, Ph.D
● Professor of Biology
● Ball State University
● Email: dleblanc@bsu.edu
● Phone: (765) 285-8832
● Former Instructor and Research Supervisor