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EDUCATION Truman State University Kirksville, MO, United States BS in biology 2013 Villanova University Villanova, PA, United States MS in Biology 2015 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS, United States PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 2021 Honors Dissertation: Geographic Patterns of Speciation in West and Central Africa: the Role of Rivers, Mountains, and Refugia APPOINTMENTS Postdoctoral Associate Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida January 2022–Present Graduate Teaching Assistant Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Kansas 2015–2021 Graduate Research Assistant Department of Biology Villanova University 2013–2015 PUBLICATIONS *underlined names are undergraduate mentees Kameni N., M. M., Yuan, F. L., Gonwouo, L. N., Tapondjou N., W. P., Allen, K. E., Fomena, A., Tsang, T. P. N. 2023. Range contractions and reduced body mass predicted for endemic skinks of the Cameroon Volcanic Line with future Warming. Diversity and Distributions. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13743. Tapondjou Nkonmeneck, W. P., Allen, K. E., Hime, P. M., Knipp, K. N., Kameni, M. M., Tchassem, A. M., ... & Brown, R. M. 2022. Diversification and historical demography of Rhampholeon spectrum in West-Central Africa. PloS one, 17, e0277107. Greenbaum, E., Portik, D.M., Allen, K.E., Vaughan, E.R., Badjedjea, G, Barej, M.F., Behangana, M., Conkey, N., Dumbo, B., Gonwouo, L.N., Hirschfeld, M., Hughes, D.F., Igunzi, F., Kusamba, C., Lukwago, W., Masudi, F.M., Penner, J., Reyes, J.M., Rödel., M.-O., Roelke, C.E., Romero, S. & Dehling, J.M. 2022. Systematics of the Central African Spiny Reed Frog Afrixalus laevis (Anura: Hyperoliidae), with the description of two new species from the Albertine Rift. Zootaxa, 5174, 201–232. Kameni N., M. M., Gonwouo, L. N., Tapondjou N., W. P., Tchassem F., A. M., Doherty-Bone, T., Allen, K. E., Fomena, A. 2022. Status and habitat preferences of montane endemic skinks, genera Lacertaspis, Leptosiaphos, and Trachylepis, in the central Cameroon Volcanic Line. Herpetology Notes, 15, 271–281. Allen, K. E., Tapondjou N., W.P., Freeman, B., Cooper, J.C., Brown, R.M., Peterson, A.T. 2021. Modelling potential Pleistocene habitat corridors between Afromontane forest regions. Biodiversity and Conservation, 30, 2361–2375. Allen, K.E., Greenbaum, E., Hime, P.M., Tapondjou N., W.P., Sterkhova, V.V., Kusamba, C., Rödel, M.-O., Penner, J., Peterson, A.T., Brown, R.M. 2021. Rivers, not refugia, drove diversification in arboreal, sub-Saharan African snakes. Ecology and Evolution, 11, 6133–6152. Greenbaum, E., Allen, K.E., Vaughan, E.R., Pauwels, O.S.G, Wallach, V. Kusamba, C., Muninga, W.M., Aristote, M.M., Mali, F.M.M, Badjedjea, G., Penner, J., Rödel, M.-O., Rivera, J., Sterkhova, V., Johnson, G., Tapondjou N., W.P. & Brown, R.M. 2021. Night stalkers from above: A monograph of Toxicodryas tree snakes (Squamata: Colubridae) with descriptions of two new cryptic species from Central Africa. Zootaxa, 4965, 001–044. Allen, K.E., N. Tapondjou, W.P., Greenbaum, E., Welton, L.J., Bauer, A.M. 2019. High levels of hidden phylogenetic structure within central and west African Trachylepis skinks. Salamandra, 55, 231–241. Allen, K.E., N. Tapondjou, W.P., Welton, L.J., Bauer, A.M. 2017. A new species of Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Central Africa and a key to the Trachylepis of West and Central Africa. Zootaxa, 4268, 255–269. Allen, K.E., Aviles Rodriguez, K.J., Eifler, D.A. and R. Powell. 2014. Social and environmental factors influence microhabitat selection in the brown-speckled sphaero, Sphaerodactylus notatus (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae). Journal of Herpetology, 49, 165–169. Diamond, K., Trovillion, D., Allen, K.E., Malela, K.M., Noble, D.A., Powell, R., Eifler, D.A. and M. E. Gifford. 2014. Individual (co)variation of field behavior and locomotor performance in curly tailed lizards. Journal of Zoology, 294, 248–254. Allen, K.E. and Powell, R. 2014. Thermal biology and microhabitat use in Puerto Rican eyespot geckos (Sphaerodactylus macrolepis macrolepis). Journal of Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 9, 590–600. PENDING PUBLICATIONS Allen, K.E., Evans, B.J., Tapondjou N., W.P., Ané, C., Brown, R.M., Peterson, A.T. Allopolyploidization and niche evolution in African clawed frogs (Xenopus). Evolution. In revision. Allen, K.E., Ceríaco, L.M.P., Bauer, A.M., Greenbaum, E., Tapondjou N., W.P., Kusamba, C., Kameni N., M.M., Brown, R.M. Origin and colonization history of a widespread African skink complex, Trachylepis maculilabris, in the Gulf of Guinea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In revision. Allen, K.E., Tapondjou N., W.P.,, Greenbaum, E., Bauer, A.M., Ceríaco, L.M.P., Kusamba, C., Kameni N., M.M., Peterson, A.T., Brown, R.M. Pleistocene refugial diversification across highland and river systems in a widespread Central African skink. In prep NON-PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS Allen, K.E., Zoungrana, M., Blackburn, D.C. 2022. Species accounts for all 13 species of Astylosternus and Trichobatrachus. AmphibiaWeb. Link can be found here Allen, K. E., Blackburn, D. C. (2023). Polyploidapalooza: Exploring the diversity and evolution of polyploid plants and animals. QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/7PYB-BB45 CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS *underlined names are presenter *Starred names are undergraduate mentees Davidson, M.G.*, Mihalik, A.Z.*, Allen, K.E., Tapondjou N., W.P., Blackburn, D.C. Phylogenetic Analysis of African Night Frogs in the Genus Astylosternus. Poster. University of Florida Undergraduate Research Symposium. 2023. Gainesville, Florida. Davidson, M.G.*, Mihalik, A.Z.*, Allen, K.E., Tapondjou N., W.P., Blackburn, D.C. Phylogenetic Analysis of African Night Frogs in the Genus Astylosternus. Poster. Evolution. 2023. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Allen, K.E., Tapondjou N., W.P., Greenbaum, E., Bauer, A.M., Ceríaco, L.M.P., Kusamba, C., Kameni N., M.M., Peterson, A.T., Brown, R.M. Pleistocene refugial diversification across highland and river systems in a widespread Central African skink. Oral Presentation. Evolution. 2023. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Allen, K.E., Tapondjou N., W.P., Davidson, M.G.*, Mihalik, A.Z.*, Blackburn, D.C. Systematics and Niche Evolution of Polyploid Central African Night Frogs. Poster. Polyploidy. 2023. Palm Coast, Florida. K. E. Allen, L. M. P. Ceríaco, A. M. Bauer, E. Greenbaum, W. P. Tapondjou N., C. Kusamba, M. M. Kameni N., R. M. Brown. Origin and colonization history of a widespread African skink complex, Trachylepis maculilabris, in the Gulf of Guinea. Oral Presentation. Herpetological Association of Africa Virtual Mini-Symposium. 2022. Online. E. Greenbaum, D. M. Portik, K. E. Allen, F. I. Alonda, M. F. Barej, M. Behangana, N. Conkey, B. Dumbo, L. N. Gonwouo, M. Hirschfeld, D. F. Hughes, C. Kusamba, W. Lukwago, J. Reyes, J. Rivera, M. -O. Rödel, C. E. Roelke, S. Romero, and J. M. Dehling. Biogeography and evolution of Central African spiny reed frogs (Anura: Hyperoliidae: Afrixalus), with the description of two new species from the Albertine Rift. Oral Presentation. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. 2021. Phoenix, Arizona. K. E. Allen, B.J. Evans, W. P. Tapondjou N., C. Ané, R.M. Brown, A.T. Peterson. Allopolyploidization and niche evolution in African clawed frogs (Xenopus). Oral Presentation. Evolution. 2021. Online. K. E. Allen, W. P. Tapondjou N., E. Greenbaum. L.J. Welton, A.M. Bauer. Phylogenetic structure in Central and West African Trachylepis skinks. Oral Presentation. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. 2019. Snowbird, Utah. K. E. Allen, B. Freeman, W. P. Tapondjou N., J. C. Cooper, R. M. Brown, A. T. Peterson. Modeling potential Pleistocene dispersal corridors between Afromontane forest regions. Oral Presentation. International Biogeography Society Conference. 2019. Malaga, Spain. K. E. Allen, T.R. Jackman, A.M. Bauer. Comparative phyogeography of Trachylepis skinks in the Cameroon Volcanic Line. Oral Presentation. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 2015. Lawrence, Kansas. K. E. Allen, C. E. Montgomery. Factors affecting retreat site selection in Sphaerodactylus macrolepis. Poster Presentation. Truman State University Student Research Conference. 2013. Kirksville, Missouri. TEACHING EXPERIENCE 2019, 2020, 2021: Principles of Genetics 2020: Principles of Organismal Biology 2018: Introduction to Systematics 2018, 2017: Principles of Organismal Biology 2017: Field and Laboratory Methods in Ecology 2016, 2015: Principles of Organismal Biology WORKSHOPS Species Distribution Modeling Workshop. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Presenter. 2019 FSUU Biodiversity Informatics Training Workshop. Father Saturnino Urios University, Butuan, Philippines. Presenter. 2019 UNDERGRADUATE MENTORING EXPERIENCE Herpetology Division. University of Florida. Mentees: Magalie Zoungrana, Alva Mihalik, Morgan Davidson Herpetology Division. University of Kansas. Mentees: Viktoria Sterkhova, Tess Swope, Bryce Campbell, Grant Johnson, Dexter Reilly. McNair Summer Research Internship. University of Kansas. Writing Consultant. June-August 2019, 2020 Undergraduate research experience in Gabon. Herpetology Division and African Studies Department. University of Florida. Co-lead international fieldwork opportunity for undergraduate women in biology to Gabon. May 2019 Undergraduate research experience in Mexico. Erell Institute. Co-lead international fieldwork opportunity for undergraduate women in biology to Kino, Mexico. March 2016 INVITED SEMINARS Floral and Faunal Dynamics of Pleistocene Central Africa. Baker University. February 2020 FIELD EXPERIENCE 2021: Mt. Nganha, Adamawa, Cameroon 2019: Mindanao, Philippines 2019: Nyanga Province, Gabon 2018: Mt. Cameroon & Mt. Nlonako, Cameroon 2017: Mt. Manengouba, Cameroon 2016: Sonora, Mexico 2014: Cameroon Volcanic Line, Cameroon 2013: Guana Island, British Virgin Islands 2012: Eleuthera Island, Bahamas GRANTS/AWARDS 2014: Villanova Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship 2014: Villanova Biology Summer Fellowship 2014-2015: Villanova Biology Research Fellowship 2016, 2018, 2021: KU Biodiversity Institute Panorama Grant 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019: KU EEB Summer Fellowship 2017: KU Doctoral Student Research Fund 2017: KU Pre-Dissertation Travel Grant 2017, 2019: Ida Hyde Scholarship 2017: ASIH Gaige Fund Award 2017: National Geographic Young Explorer Grant 2018: KU Graduate Studies Presentation Travel Award 2019: KU Research Excellence Initiative Graduate Student and Post-Doctoral Travel Award 2019: Explorers Club Mamont Grant 2019: APS Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research 2019: KU College of Graduate Affairs Travel Award 2020: KU Graduate Studies Summer Research Scholarship 2021: KU Open Access Author Fund CERTIFICATIONS Fundamentals of Deep Learning. NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute. January 2023. Nano CT scanning and CT reconstruction. University of Florida Research Service Center. March 2023. ORGANIZATION INVOLVEMENT Camherp-CBF, A Cameroon based reptile and amphibian conservation agency, member, 2017 – 2021 National Geographic, National Geographic Explorer Advisory Panel, 2017 – 2019 PUBLIC OUTREACH 2023: BioGator bioblitz at PK Yonge Highschool, Gainesville 2023: Girls do Science event with Florida Museum of Natural History 2020-2023: Skype a Scientist 2022: Florida Museum of Natural History Museums in the Parks 2022: Florida Museum of Natural History Frog Walk 2022: Speaker at Topeka Zoo Teen Summer Camp 2022: KU Tri-Beta graduate student panel 2019: Speaker at KU chapter of Ecological Society of America - Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity and Sustainability (ESA-SEEDS) 2018: Science Night at Lawrence Beer Co. 2017: KU Biodiversity Institute Science of the Macabre 2015, 2016, 2017: KU Biodiversity Institute Sexy Science 2016: DNA Day at Topeka High School |
