Gian Rocco
205B Walker Building
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Telehone: 814.863.3194
FAX: 814.863.7943
E-mail: gxr124@psu.edu
education:
- Pennsylvania State University - Ph.D. Wildlife and Fisheries Science (ABD)
- Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI - M.S. Biology
- Interamerican University Puerto Rico, San German, PR - B.S. Biology
professional interests and activities:
Dr. Rocco's professional interests are focused on applied herpetology and in general, human-environment relationships. The following activities summarize his present and past contributions:
- Developing a conservation and banking plan for the beleaguered bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenberii)in the lower Delaware basin;
- Developing an index of biological integrity for Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region headwaters based on stream salamander assemblages;
- Developing improved techniques for the detection of free-ranging herptiles;
- Assisting with ecological field studies in the Northeast and Caribbean to guide conservation efforts and resolving human-conflicts; and
- Providing herpetological field services and expertise on contractual basis
Dr. Rocco has contributed, presented, and co-authored about 25 technical papers, posters, and presentations at conferences and meetings since 1992. He has been a co-principal investigator on several PSU projects during 2000-2006 and key author on proposals that generated over $1 million.
Dr. Rocco's professional activities have contributed to projects for federal and state agencies, including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and for local townships, private citizen’s groups, and a wide range of industries and developments.
professional employment:
- 2003–present: Research Assistant, Riparia (formerly the Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center), Department of Geography, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
- 2000–2003: Research Assistant, CWC, School of Forest Resources, College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
- 1997–2000: Research Assistant/Graduate Student, Wildlife & Fisheries Science, School of Forest Resources, College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
- 1994, 2001: Research Assistant/Field Coordinator, Aruba Island Rattlesnake Project, Trenton State College, Ewing, NJ
- 1995–1997: Research Assistant & Liason to the PA Fish & Boat Commission, The Nature Conservancy, Pleasant Gap, PA
- 1990–1995: Staff Herpetologist, Herpetological Associates, Inc., Forked River, NJ
professional organizations and service
- PA Chapter, American Fisheries Society
- Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Local Planning Committee 1999, 2001
- Wildlife Resource Conservation Fund (WRCF) Grants Program – reviewer 2005
- Herpetological Conservation Volume III – technical paper reviewer 2005
selected publications and techical reports:
Reinert, H. K., L. M. Bushar, G. L. Rocco, and R. A. Odum. In press. The Autecology of the Aruba Island Rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus unicolor. Biology of Rattlesnakes Symposium Volume.
Rocco, G. L., R. P. Brooks, and T. Hite. 2004. Stream Plethodontid Assemblage Response (SPAR) Index: Development, Application, and Verification in the MAHA. Report No. 2004-1, PSU Cooperative Wetland Center. Technical report for USEPA, STAR Grant Program.
Reinert, H. K., L. M. Bushar, G. L. Rocco, M. Goode, and R. A. Odum. 2002. Distribution of the Aruba Island Rattlesnake, Crotalus unicolor, on Aruba, Dutch West Indies, Caribbean Journal of Science, Vol. 38, 1-2, 126-128.
Rocco, G. L. and R. P. Brooks. 2000. Abundance and Distribution of a Stream Plethodontid Salamander Assemblage in 14 Ecologically Dissimilar Watersheds in Pennsylvania Central Appalachians. Report No 2000-4, PSU Cooperative Wetland Center. Technical Report for USEPA, Region 3.