John Finger

John W. Finger

he/him/his
he/him/his

Assistant Professor

Education

  • Postdoctoral Research, Auburn University, 2018
  • PhD, Toxicology, University of Georgia, 2014
  • BS, Zoology, North Carolina State University, 2008

Research Interests

I am broadly interested in how the environment, particularly both natural and anthropogenic stressors, affects animal physiology. My research often spans across multiple fields, including toxicology, endocrinology, immunology, and ecology. To investigate the effects of environmental stressors on animal physiology, my collaborators and I mainly use long-lived, top-trophic species, namely crocodilians and turtles.

Selected Publications

  • Finger, J. W. Jr., M. D. Kelley, R. M. Elsey, and M. T. Mendonca. 2018. Visual obstruction has no effect on post-capture corticosterone levels of juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Journal of Herpetology 52, 398-401.
  • Finger, J. W. Jr., M. T Hamilton, M. D. Kelley, N. I. Stacy, T. C. Glenn, and T. D. Tuberville. 2019. Examining the impact of chronic selenium exposure on commonly used stress parameters in juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 77, 14-21.
  • Finger, J. W. Jr., S. M. Goetz, M. D. Kelley, L. M. Horne, S. Piccolomini, R. M. Elsey, and M. T. Mendonca. 2020. American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) serum inhibits pitviper venom metalloproteinases. Journal of Herpetology 54, 151-154. https://doi.org/10.1670/19-027
  • Finger, J. W. Jr., M. D. Kelley, Y. Zhang, M. T. Hamilton, R. M. Elsey, M. T. Mendonca, and A. Kavazis. 2021. Short-term capture stress and its effects on corticosterone levels and heat shock proteins in captive American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Canadian Journal of Zoology. doi: 10.1139/cjz-2021-0014
  • Finger, J. W. Jr., P. C. Thomson, and S. R. Isberg. 2016. Unexpected lower testosterone in faster growing farmed saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) hatchlings. General and Comparative Endocrinology 226 1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.11.016.
  • Finger, J. W. Jr., P. C. Thomson, A. L. Adams, S. Benedict, C. Moran, and S. R. Isberg. 2015. Reference levels for corticosterone and immune function in farmed saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) hatchlings using current Code of Practice guidelines. General and Comparative Endocrinology 212, 63-72. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.01.023