Collaborative Research Connects Students...and Persons

by Victoria Kidd
News and Editorial Manager

Matt Persons, assistant professor of biology, shares his passion for arachnids with students.

Matthew Persons, associate professor of biology and recipient of the 2004 John C. Horn Distinguished Service Lectureship freely admits to self-satisfaction in the dynamics of student-faculty research.

"I live my scholarship vicariously through my students. Their success is my success," Persons says. He calls his student researchers "full collaborators and partners" in his work. "When I see students present papers at meetings, publish an article in a scientific journal or be an ad-hoc reviewer for a scientific journal, I feel some external validation of the communication, writing and critical thinking skills of our students. It feels good to be part of that," he says.

Since joining the Susquehanna University faculty in 1999, Persons has developed a national reputation for his scholarship in the area of animal behavior. His research has been featured in Natural History magazine, BBC Wildlife magazine, National Public Radio and the syndicated television program "Wild Moments with Jack Hubley." He serves as an ad hoc reviewer and has written for such academic publications as Animal Behavior, the Journal of Arachnology and the Journal of Insect Behavior. His research on the chemically-mediated predator-prey interactions in wolf spiders is supported by a $250,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

Biology major Ryan Bell '05 is one of the students who works with Persons in the research lab. "Not only have I been able to do research on three separate projects, but I have also had the chance to present my research. I have presented at four different conferences and won an award for my poster at the meeting of the American Arachnological Society," Bell said.

"The benefits of working with Dr. Persons these past three years are more numerous than I can detail," he continued, "but I know that were I to have gone elsewhere I would not have had this sort of an opportunity to work so closely with such an incredible researcher, academic and person." Lucian T. Winegar, dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences, echoes Bell's description of Persons, calling him a "gifted and energetic researcher."

"Like much of the scholarship at SU, Matt's work is most often conducted with undergraduate students. These research experiences, along with his successes in the classroom, provide significant and meaningful experiences for our students in their preparation as scientists and citizens," Winegar says. Linda McMillin, provost and professor of history, says she admires Persons' intellectual engagement and curiosity. "I love having lunch with him. We always find some big philosophical, scientific questions to talk about. Who knew there were so many crossroads between spiders and medieval history?" she says. The Horn lectureship memorializes John C. Horn who served as chair of the university's board of directors from 1962 to 1978. Each year, the award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding scholarship and conscientious service to the university. As recipient of the award, Persons offered a public lecture during the 2005 spring semester.