JAIMIE FRANKLIN
Staff Writer
Dr. Lee Kats grew up on a farm in Indiana chasing frogs and keeping them in empty soda cans in his mother’s refrigerator. Today he keeps them in his animal behavior lab in the Rockwell Academic Center.
Although Kats’ life has certainly changed over the years, his love and passion for the study of amphibians and animal ecology has not.
Kats began teaching at Pepperdine 17 years ago as a biology professor. In 2000 he became the Frank R. Seaver Chair in Natural Science, which is an endowed position that provides the necessary funding and resources to complete studies in animal ecology.
He instructs a variety of undergraduate courses including animal biology, animal behavior, ecology and environmental politics and policy.
In addition to his work in the classroom, Kats also serves administrative positions as associate provost for Research and assistant dean of Research, which allows him to be involved in funding and regulatory issues regarding research done by all undergraduate students. Kats said his positions at Pepperdine have offered him the opportunity to truly fill his niche at Pepperdine.
“My number one role is to keep providing opportunities for students who want to be involved in environmental research,” Kats said.
Through his long history at Pepperdine, Kats said he has also observed Pepperdine fulfilling its own niche in the world of higher education, evolving into a university committed to both excellent education and Christian standards.
Kats’ current area of research centers on the impact of exotic species on local amphibians. Exotic species are creatures not native to the habitat in which they live, and as a result, disrupt the wildlife around them.
For example, Kats and his team of student researchers have done extensive work in streams in the Santa Monica Mountains. Crayfish are native to habitats east of the Mississippi River, but are prevalent in local streams because they are commonly used as bait by fishermen. Native populations of frogs and snakes are declining as a result of the release of crayfish into local waters.
“These native species can survive floods, fires, and just about every other naturally occurring disaster, but when something small is introduced that isn’t supposed to be there, it wreaks havoc on the entire system, causing extinction and decline in biodiversity,” said Shannon Rollert, a senior psychology major and head student researcher in Kats’ lab.
In order to preserve the natural habitat, Kats and his students have worked extensively to remove invasive creatures from local streams and to educate the public about the dangers of dropping seemingly harmless fish into the water. Their efforts have included multimedia presentations to community groups, government agencies and mostly school children, who Rollert said enjoy the presentations.
Dr. Steve Davis, a biology professor who has taught collaboratively with Kats in the past, said that Kats has become an authority on animal ecology in local streams.
“When people have a question about it, they come to him,” Davis said.
Kats said that preserving the natural environment is not only an ecological issue, but a Christian responsibility.
“As Christians we are held to higher standards in the way we interact with the environment,” he said. “It is very counter to the idea of Noah building an ark to save every creature…when we’re wiping out entire species.”
Kats has also served as a faculty advisor on the summer international program to Costa Rica. He will be taking another small group of students again this year to study the Poison Dart Frogs’ response to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Davis attended a trip to Costa Rica with Kats and described the experience as “outstanding.”
“I think he provided leadership and mentorship and is an example of how to be professional as a scientist and be respectful of the views of others,” Davis said. “He upholds the value of a collaborative approach to science and that it can’t be studied in a vacuum. You can’t lock students up in a basement until they discover something.”
Although he is deeply committed to scientific research, Kats said he finds fulfillment in interacting with students. He serves as an assistant to Pepperdine’s Volleyball coach and remains very busy during the season working with the team.
He keeps in close touch with past students, and makes an effort to build relationships with current ones, Kats said. He currently houses two students in his faculty condo on campus simply to help them out, he said.
“I love seeing young people develop as scientists and discover new things,” Kats said. “For me it’s all about maintaining relationships [with students].”
Student researchers in his lab attest to his passion for ecology and his commitment to supporting student research.
“Dr. Kats is very hands-off in his lab,” Rollert said. “Once you have gained his trust, he allows you to carry out your responsibilities without any micro-managing…. One of the coolest things about his lab is that it is not only run by biology students.”
Sophomore Sean Landis, another student researcher in Kats’ lab, described him as “generous” and “hospitable,” and added that he goes to Kats for advice.
“He’s awesome,” Landis said. “He knows when to be funny and when to be serious and get things done.”
This summer, Kats will take students to study biodiversity in Argentina for the first time, as well as Costa Rica.
“The biodiversity down there is amazing,” Kats said. “Things you thought were only on TV you see with your own eyes. It’s a real honor and privilege.”
05-18-2007