Education
PhD, University of Miami
MS, Sam Houston State University
BS, Rowan University
Dennis Wasko is a professor of biology. He teaches several courses, including Environmental Science, General Biology I, and General Biology II.
"At Hillyer, I get to not only work with interesting students, but get to really know them," Wasko says. "I look forward to passing on my love of science, nature, and learning in general, as well as sharing some of the incredibly fun and rewarding experiences to which those interests have often led.
Wasko's research interests include:
- Herpetology
- Spatial ecology
- Feeding ecology
- Vertebrate natural history
Wasko, D.K., S.G. Bullard, and T. Beauvais. 2021. Epidemiology of eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) snakebites in the Great Lakes states, 1800-2015. Wilderness and Environmental Medicine 32: 308-314
Ramírez Arce, D., A. Zúñiga Ortiz, and D.K. Wasko. 2021. Habitat use and age structure of the Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops asper, Viperidae) in Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica. The Herpetological Journal 31: 46-54
Ramírez-Arce, D., J. Vega-Coto, A. Zúñiga-Ortiz, A. Artavia-León, W. Baaijen, and D. K. Wasko. 2019. Snake diversity (Squamata: Serpentes) in Quebrada Gonzalez sector of Braulio Carillo National Park, Costa Rica. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 14: 212-222
Vanek, J. and D.K. Wasko. 2017. Feeding activity of an eastern hog-nosed snake immediately after radio-tracking. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 52: 1
Vanek, J. and D.K. Wasko. 2017. Spatial ecology of the eastern hognose snake at the northern limit of its range. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 12: 109-118
Wasko, D.K. and S.G. Bullard. 2016. An analysis of media-reported venomous snakebites in the United States, 2011-2013. Wilderness and Environmental Medicine 27: 219-226
Vanek, J., R. Mullins, and D. K. Wasko. 2014. Heterodon platirhinos (eastern hog-nosed snake). Reproduction/nest site fidelity. Herpetological review 45: 710-711
Wasko, D.K., F. Bonilla, and M. Sasa. 2013. Behavioral responses to snake cues by three species of Neotropical rodents. Journal of Zoology 292: 142-150
Wasko, D.K. and M. Sasa. 2012. Food resources influence spatial ecology, habitat selection, and foraging behavior in an ambush-hunting snake (Viperidae: Bothrops asper): an experimental study. Zoology 115: 179-187
Farallo, V.R., M. Sasa, D.K. Wasko, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2010. Reduced foraging in the presence of predator cues by the black spiny-tailed iguana, Ctenosaura similis (Sauria: Iguanidae). Phyllomedusa 9: 109-119
Wasko, D.K. and M. Sasa. 2010. Habitat selection of the fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper, Serpentes: Viperidae) in lowland rainforest in Costa Rica. Herpetologica 66: 148- 158
Sasa, M., D. K. Wasko, and W. W. Lamar. 2009. Natural history of the terciopelo Bothrops asper (Serpentes: Viperidae) in Costa Rica. Toxicon 54: 904-922
Wasko, D.K. and J. Losos. 2009. Bothrops asper defensive behavior. Herpetological Review 40: 94
Wasko, D.K. and M. Sasa. 2009. Activity patterns of a Neotropical ambush predator: spatial ecology of the fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper, Serpentes: Viperidae) in Costa Rica. Biotropica 41(2): 241-249
Wasko, D.K and D. Roberts. 2008. Boa constrictor diet. Herpetological Review 39(4): 466
Lutterschmidt, W.I. and D.K. Wasko. 2006. Seasonal activity, relative abundance, and population structure of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in a small and highly disturbed lake. Southwestern Naturalist 51: 346-351
Wasko, DK. 2002. Seasonal activity, relative abundance, and population structure of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in a highly-disturbed lake. Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Morelos, Mexico