Faculty Profiles
Vanessa Hilliard
Education
PhD, Clemson University
MS, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
BS, Erskine College
Areas of Expertise
- Functional Morphology
- Comparative Biomechanics
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Herpetology
- Vertebrate Biology
Research Interests
- Evolutionary Functional Morphology
- Comparative Biomechanics
- Vertebrate Locomotion
- Tropical Ecology and Conservation
Courses Recently Taught
- Comparative Vertebrate and Human Anatomy
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- Foundations of Form and Function
- Biomechanics
- Introduction to Kinesiology
- Introduction to Research
- Environments of Ecuador (Study Abroad Course)
Professional Experience
- Ecuador Study Abroad Program Director (2025-present)
- National Science Foundation Reviewer and Panelist (2021-present)
- Secretary, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (2026-2028)
- Secretary-Elect, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (2024-2026)
- Saint Mary’s College Academic Excellence and Inclusion Fellow (2023-2026)
- Saint Mary’s College CWIL Faculty Research Fellow (2023-2024)
- Secretary, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Division of Vertebrate Morphology (2022-2024)
Creative and Scholarly Work
- Hilliard, V. K, L. Whitenack, W. Ryerson. 2025. Comparative Vertebrate and Human Anatomy: Ecology, Evolution, and Function. PALNI Open Press http://doi.org/10.59319/
YHFP2525 . - Eddington, V. M*., H. K. Nichols*, A. Calistri-Yeh*, V. K H. Young, and L. N. Kloepper. 2024. Graded alarm call behavior in wild fox squirrels (Sciurusniger). The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 155: 1308-1314.
- Verble, R. M., Richards-Zawacki, C. L., and V. K H. Young. 2023. Beyond a vision for the future: Tangible steps to engage diverse participants in inclusive field experiences. Integrative and Comparative Biology 63: 59-65.
- Kloepper, L. N. and V. K H. Young. 2021. Foundations of form and function: a synthesis-based curriculum for introductory level organismal biology. Ecology and Evolution: 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.
8315 . - Smith, S. K.* and V. K H. Young. 2021. Balancing on a limb: effects of gravidity on locomotion in arboreal, limbed vertebrates. Integrative and Comparative Biology 61: 573-578. doi:10.1093/icb/icab035.
- Young, V. K H., M. K. Starner,* J. A. Baeza, and R. W. Blob. 2021. Thinking inside the box: comparative limb bone shape in emydid turtles. Journal of Herpetology 55: 112-118.
Professional Memberships
- Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
- International Society of Vertebrate Morphology
- Organization for Biological Field Stations (OBFS)