Michael Elnitsky

Chair, Department of Biology, Professor

Contact Information

OFFICE: Zurn 217

PHONE: 814-824-2346

Dr. Elnitsky has long been fascinated by nature and the living world and has more than 20 years of teaching and research experience working with students in the biological sciences and health professions. As an instructor, Dr. Elnitsky provides students with the guidance, resources, and opportunities to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and effective communication skills. Because students best learn the true nature of science by doing science, Dr. Elnitsky strongly encourages students to become actively engaged in faculty-mentored research.

About Dr. Elnitsky

Education

Courses Taught

Research Interests

I am broadly interested in the ecological and physiological response of ectothermic animals, particularly insects, amphibians, and reptiles, to environmental stress, with special interest in the adaptations of these animals for low temperature survival. Animals in temperate and polar regions have evolved a variety of strategies for the tolerance of seasonal subzero temperatures, decreases in water availability, and the dramatic changes in incident light associated with winter. To fully understand how these organisms interact with and survive in their natural environment my research spans from the molecular to the ecological level of organization. This research is particularly amenable to undergraduate researchers, allowing students the opportunity to develop independent research projects while becoming proficient in both field and laboratory techniques. I expect students to take the lead in data collection and analysis, and encourage them to present their research findings at professional meetings and work toward the submission of senior-authored manuscripts for publication.

Recent Publications and Presentations

Devlin, J.J., Unfried, L., Lecheta, M.C., McCabe, E.A., Gantz, J.D., Kawarasaki, Y., Elnitsky, M.A., Hotaling, S., Michel, A.P., Convey, P., Hayward, S.A.L., and Teets, N.M. 2022. Simulated winter warming negatively impacts survival of Antarctica’s only endemic insect. Functional Ecology 36, 1949-1960.
Kawarasaki, Y., Welle, A.M., and Elnitsky, M.A. 2020. Is rapid cold-hardening an aerobic process? Characterization of changes in metabolic activity during its induction and effects of anoxia in flesh fly. Journal of Insect Physiology 120, 1-8.
Xi, S., Benoit, J.B., Elnitsky, M.A., Kaufmann, N., Brodsky, J.L., Zeidel, M.L., Denlinger, D.L., and Lee, R.E. 2011. Function and immuno-localization of aquaporins in the Antarctic midge Belgica antarctica. Journal of Insect Physiology 57, 1096-1105.