How do weather, habitat, and season influence a snake’s ability to fight disease?

In this episode, Chris Jenkins sits down with Catherine Hanks, a graduate student in ecology at the University of Georgia, to talk about her path into graduate school, from studying tropical ecology in Costa Rica to finding the right lab as an undergraduate. They also dive into her thesis research on the immune capacity of Eastern Indigo Snakes and what it may reveal about how these iconic snakes respond to Snake Fungal Disease in the wild.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Shane Ngwenya, an aspiring herpetologist beginning graduate studies in South Africa. Shane reflects on his childhood as a herder, where encounters with snakes were once rooted in fear and conflict, and how a growing fascination with the natural world ultimately reshaped his perspective.

That turning point came during a formative field course in Kruger National Park led by faculty including Bryan Maritz, a previous Snake Talk Podcast guest, whose mentorship helped inspire Shane’s path into herpetology. Shane discusses his honors research examining gecko communities across diverse habitat types and offers insight into the rich reptile and snake communities of Kruger. The episode also looks ahead to his upcoming graduate work, which will explore how elephant exclusion fences influence reptile habitat and community structure in protected landscapes.

Connect with Shane at the University of the Western Cape.

Looking to learn more? Check out Snake Talk 19 | Snakes of Africa with Dr. Bryan Maritz.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Samuel Kerwin, a PhD student at the University of Northern Colorado. Samuel shares how his fascination with snakes and venom evolved and led him to graduate school research. They dive into his master’s research on venom production in rattlesnakes, including how acidity plays a critical role in venom storage and safety, before exploring his PhD work on innovative snakebite treatments. This includes the potential development of an oral pill that could dramatically improve access to care and reduce morbidity from snakebite worldwide.

Connect with Samuel at the University of Northern Colorado.

Looking to learn more about venom? Check out Snake Talk 117 | Snake Venom with Dr. Stephen Mackessy.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

Shop Snake Talk merch.

If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.