Degrees:
B.S. Biology, University of Lisbon, Portugal; M.S. in Biology, Western Kentucky University; Ph.D. in Zoology, Miami University
Biography:
I joined the Biology faculty at the Mount in the fall of 2017. I teach the Introductory Biology course sequence, Animal Behavior, and a variety of Physiology courses. I am an ecophysiologist and my research investigates the physiology of amphibians and reptiles.
I began studying studying amphibian and reptile biology as an undergraduate student at the University of Lisbon, Portugal where I did my undergraduate degree. In then completed a M.S. in Biology at Western Kentucky University and in 2014 I was awarded a Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University. In 2017 I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Dayton.
One of my major areas of research is cold tolerance physiology of North American frogs. I have mentored several undergraduate students while pursuing collaborative research projects. I encourage students to present their findings at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed publications. Currently, my students and I are investigating cryoprotectant strategies used by freeze-tolerant frogs, as well the possible side-effects of cryoprotectant accumulation in these animals. Students interested in doing research in amphibians are encouraged to contact me for research opportunities.
In my free time I enjoy volunteering with local schools and organizations to teach science, physiology, and showcase STEM careers to K-12 students.
Recent publications:
- do Amaral, M.C.F., Frisbie, J., Goldstein, D. L., Krane, C. M. 2018. The cryoprotectant system of Cope’s gray treefrog, Dryophytes chrysoscelis: responses to cold acclimation, freezing, and thawing. Journal of Comparative Physiology B https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-018-1153-6
- do Amaral, M.C. F., Costanzo, J.P., and Lee, R.E. 2016. Enzymatic regulation of seasonal glycogen cycling in the freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 186 (8): 1045-1058
- do Amaral, M.C. F., Costanzo, J.P., and Lee, R.E. 2015. Hepatocyte responses to in vitro freezing and B-adrenergic stimulation: insights into the extreme freeze tolerance of subarctic Rana sylvatica. Journal of Experimental Zoology 323: 89-96
- Costanzo, J.P., Reynolds, A.M., do Amaral, M.C.F., Rosendale, A.J., and Lee, R.E. 2015. Cryoprotectants and extreme freeze tolerance in a subarctic population of the wood frog. PLoS ONE. 10 (2): e0117234
- Costanzo, J.P., do Amaral, M.C.F., Rosendale, A.J., and Lee, R.E. 2014. Seasonality of freeze tolerance in a subarctic population of the wood frog, Rana sylvatica. International Journal of Zoology. Article ID: 750153
- do Amaral, M.C. F., Costanzo, J.P., and Lee, R.E. 2013. Enzymatic regulation of glycogenolysis in a subarctic population of the wood frog: implications for extreme freeze tolerance. PLoS ONE 8 (11): e79169
- Costanzo J.P., do Amaral M.C.F., Rosendale A.J. and Lee R.E. 2013. Hibernation physiology, freezing adaptation, and extreme freeze tolerance in a northern population of wood frog. Journal of Experimental Biology 216 (18): 3461-3173