bob Robert J. Kallal
Graduate Student (Ph.D.)
Spider Systematics and Diversity
Department of Biological Sciences
George Washington University
Lisner Hall, 2023 G Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20052

Lab 1: (202) 994-0302
Lab 2: (202) 994-4412
Contact: kallal@gwmail.gwu.edu
Research Interests:

I am interested in the phylogenetics and diversity of invertebrates, with current particular interest in arachnids. Advances in molecular and genomic data combined with morphological information make this an exciting time for exploration of understudied taxa. With estimates of as many undescribed species as those known to science, there is still much to know about these ubiquitous animals. My previous academic endeavors include the revision of the Nearctic fauna of the formicine ant genus Nylanderia, description of the Caribbean ant genus Zatania, and identification of the Raspberry crazy ant pest in the Gulf states, N. fulva.

Education:

The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (2011-present). Advisor: Gustavo Hormiga

Towson University, Towson, MD. M.S. (2009-2011). Advisor: John LaPolla

Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. B.A. (2005-2009)

Professional Experience:

Research Contractor in Entomology, Smithsonian Institution, DC.

Research Intern in Paleontology, Calvert Marine Museum, MD.

Teaching Experience:

Lead Teaching Assistant for Intro Biology for Majors. 2013.

Teaching Assistant: Intro Biology: Cells & Molecules. The George Washington University. 2012-2013.

Teaching Assistant: Intro Biology: Ecology & Evolution. The George Washington University. 2013.

Teaching Assistant: Biology of Nutrition & Health. The George Washington University. 2012.

Teaching Assistant: Biology: The Science of Life. Towson University. 2009-2010.

Project WILD Training: teaching children about nature. Towson University. 2009.

Field Experience:

Costa Rica (7.5 weeks) - Organization for Tropical Studies at Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Puntarenas

Guyana (3 weeks) - Smithsonian Institution Hymenoptera team at Conservation International, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo

United States - Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia

Selected Grants and Awards:

Harlan Scholarship for Summer Research (2013)

Graduate Teaching Assistantship Stipend(s) (2009-2011, 2012-present)
Publications:

Kallal RJ & LaPolla JS. 2012. Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part II: Nylanderia of the Nearctic. ZooTaxa. 3508: 1-64.

Gotzek D, Brady SG, Kallal RJ, & LaPolla JS. 2012. The importance of using multiple approaches for identifying emerging invasive species: the case of the Rasberry Crazy Ant in the United States. PLoS ONE. 7(9): e45314. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045314

LaPolla JS, Kallal, RJ, & Brady SG. 2012. A new ant genus from the Greater Antilles and Central America, Zatania (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), exemplifies the utility of male and molecular character systems. Systematic Entomology. 37: 200-214.

Kallal RJ, Godfrey SJ, & Ortner DJ. 2012. Bone reactions on a Pliocene cetacean rib indicate short-term survival of predation event. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. 22(3): 253-260.
Special Coursework:

Tropical Biology: An Ecological Approach, Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica (2013)

Spider Biology, The Ohio State University, OH (2011)
Posters:

Harlan Scholarship Summer Research Expo: Overview of Tropical Biology from the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), and Costa Rican Arachnids (2013)

Towson University Student Research & Scholarship Expo: Revision of the Ant Genus Nylanderia in the Nearctic Region (2011)