Chris Leaphart, Ph.D.
Area(s) of Expertise: Wildlife Ecology, Disease Ecology, Ecotoxicology (Advising Area of Expertise: Biology, Pre-Veterinary)
Courses Taught
- BIOL 1102K – Introduction to Ecology
- BIOL 1107K – Principles of Biology I
- BIOL 1108K – Principles of Biology II
- BIOL 2251K – Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL 2252K – Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIOL 2700 – Sophomore Seminar
- BIOL 4060 – Mechanisms of Disease
- BIOL 4080K – Ornithology
- BIOL 4312K – Plant-Animal Interactions
- BIOL 4520K – Herpetology
- BIOL 4700 – Senior Seminar
Education
- Ph.D., Forestry and Natural Resources (Wildlife Ecology), University of Georgia, 2022
- M.S., Forestry and Natural Resources (Wildlife Ecology), University of Georgia, 2017
- B.S., Biological Science, University of South Carolina Aiken, 2014
Research/Special Interests
Dr. Leaphart’s research interests broadly focus on wildlife ecology, ecotoxicology, and wildlife disease biology. His research examines how environmental contaminants, pathogens, and other anthropogenic stressors influence animal health, physiology, development, reproduction, and behavior. More recently, his interests have also expanded to include pollinator ecology and conservation, citizen science, and biology/agricultural education. He is particularly interested in developing collaborative research projects that provide meaningful research experiences for undergraduate students.
Publications
Boone JH, Bird TD, Rubenstein ED, Leaphart JC, Wells MD. 2026. Pollinating Young Minds: Scientific Thinking and Real-World Application through a Pollinator Curriculum in Elementary Agriculture and STEM Education. Advancements in Agricultural Development. 7(1): 6-17.
Leaphart JC, Chinn SM, Beasley JC. 2025. Impacts of Developmental Methylmercury Exposure on Avian Embryonic Development, Hatchling Growth, and Survival. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2025 (1): 1-12.
Silva AE, Speakman RJ, Barnes BF, Coyle DR, Leaphart JC, Abernethy EF, Turner KL, Rhodes OE, Beasley JC, Gandhi JK. 2023. Bioaccumulation of contaminants in Scarabaeidae and Silphidae beetles at sites polluted by coal combustion residuals and radiocesium. Science of the Total Environment. 904(2023): 166821.
Leaphart JC, Abercrombie SA, Borchert EJ, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2022. Bioaccumulation of mercury and radiocesium in waterfowl introduced to a site with legacy contamination. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 41(10): 2479
Tisdale CA, Leaphart JC, Beasley JC, Martin JA. 2021. Accumulation of contaminants in wild turkeys and potential for consumer exposure. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 40(4): 1222-1231.
Leaphart JC, Oldenkamp RE, Bryan AL, Kennamer RA, Beasley JC. 2020. Accumulation of trace elements in waterfowl inhabiting surface impoundments containing coal combustion waste. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 39 (5): 1052-1059.
Leaphart JC, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2020. Environmental fate of radiocesium in biota inhabiting a contaminated ecosystem on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 222: 1-11.
Leaphart JC, Wilms KC, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2019. Bioaccumulation of 137Cs in anuran larvae utilizing a contaminated effluent canal on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 203: 25-29.
Borchert EJ, Leaphart JC, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2019. Ecotoxicoparasitology of mercury and trace elements in semi-aquatic mammals and their endoparasite communities. Science of the Total Environment. 679: 307-316.
Fulghum CM, DiBona ER, Leaphart JC, Korotasz AM, Beasley JC, Bryan AL. 2019. Radiocesium (137Cs) accumulation by fish within a legacy reactor cooling canal system on the Savannah River Site. Environment International. 126: 216-221.
Oldenkamp RE, Bryan AL, Kennamer RA, Leaphart JC, Webster SC, Beasley JC. 2017. Trace Elements and Radiocesium in Game Species and Human Consumption Risks. Journal of Wildlife Management. 81(8): 1338-1350.
Leaphart JC, Zelmer DA. 2017. Wrecking the Curve: Altered Functional Response of Tetragoneuria (Odonata: Corduliidae) Naiads Infected with Metacercaria of Haematoloechus floedae. Journal of Parasitology. 103(2): 147-151.
Kennamer RA, Oldenkamp RE, Leaphart JC, King JD, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. 2017. Radiocesium in migratory aquatic game birds using contaminated U.S. Department of Energy reactor-cooling reservoirs: a long-term perspective. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 171: 189-199.