Dr. Carol A. Britson

Instructional Professor
Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies
Department of Biology
The University of Mississippi

Contact:

Office: 206 Shoemaker Hall
E-mail: cbritson@olemiss.edu
Telephone: (662) 915-7988

Need to Meet? Schedule at https://calendly.com/cbritson/dr-britson-office-hours

Research Interests:

Human Anatomy and Physiology educational research.

Effects of agricultural pesticides on development and survival on reptiles and amphibians.

Development of methemoglobin assays as a biomarker for nitrate exposure in freshwater turtles.

Behavioral ecology of reptiles and amphibians.

Education:

The University of Memphis (Ph.D. Biology with Concentration in Vertebrate Zoology, 1996). Dissertation Title: “Behavioral Defenses Associated with Plastral Coloration in Hatchling, Freshwater Turtles.”

Memphis State University (M.S. Biology with Concentration in Vertebrate Zoology, 1991). Thesis Title: “Anti predator mechanisms of hatchling, freshwater turtles.”

Iowa State University (B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Biology with minors in Botany and Journalism & Mass Communications, 1989).

University of Mississippi Teaching and Advising:

BISC 164 Honors Recitation I
BISC 165 Honors Recitation II
BISC 206 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BISC 207 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BISC 310 Human Anatomy
BISC 330 Introductory Physiology
BISC 415 Vertebrate Histology
BISC 479 Computational Physiology

University of Mississippi PLATO Excellence in Teaching Award (2018)
American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), University of Mississippi Student Chapter, Advsior (2016-present)

Professional Organization Activities

Human Anatomy & Physiology Society: Executive Committee, Secretary 2021-2023

HAPS Educator: Overseeing Editor

Undergraduate Theses
(Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College):

Jade Autrey (Class of 2023). “Academic Recovery from “COVID Hangover” in Human Anatomy & Physiology Students.”

Mattie Derivaux (Class of 2023). “Study Budgets in Human Anatomy and Physiology Students: Assessment of time on task as affected by student motivation and assessment weighting.”

Jayanti Shukla (Class of 2023). “Identification and Assessment of Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets in Human Anatomy and Physiology Students.”

Gracie Willis (Class of 2023). “Effectiveness of Drawing as a Study Tool for Success in Human Anatomy and Physiology”

Abigail Carroll (Class of 2022). “Assessment and development of spatial skills in Human Anatomy and Physiology students”

Sophie DeOliveira (Class of 2022). “Assessment of 3 types of integumentary system laboratory activities on student performance in Human Anatomy and Physiology students.”

Anne Piazza (Class of 2022). “Assessment of student anxiety in Human Anatomy and Physiology students using the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI).”

Mary Claire Whitehead (Class of 2022). “Assessment of student motivation in Human Anatomy and Physiology students using Motivation of Student Learning Questionnaires (MSLQ).”

Mary Agnes Mestayer (Class of 2021). “Student response, perception, examination, and study of anatomical figures in Human Anatomy and Physiology textbooks.

Sidney Wingfield (Class of 2021). “Influence of caffeine consumption and the Stroop Effect on student perceptions of mental focus and learning.”

Kara Cook (Class of 2020). “Assessment of oral motor activity variables during consumption of chocolate using surface electromyography (SEMG): effects of variation in cocoa solid content.”

Monica Stacy (Class of 2020). “Assessment of antebrachial and carpal muscle activity during cellphone use: Is “selfie wrist” a real phenomenon?”

Alexandra Elliott (Class of 2019). “The Upright Go Wearable Posture Device: Enhanced Postural Management and Reduction of Back Slouch and Salivary Cortisol Levels in College Students.”

Charmin Guy (Class of 2018). “Salivary cortisol testing procedures for inclusion in undergraduate physiology laboratories.”

Haneen Matalgah (Class of 2018). “Surface electromyography of neck muscles during texting in college students.”

Kelsey Hillhouse (Class of 2017). “Bring your own device initiative to improve engagement and performance Human Anatomy and Physiology laboratories.”

Taylor Patterson (Class of 2017). “Examination of electroglottography (EGG) and surface electromyography (sEMG) as techniques to assess oral motor activity/”

Anna O’Connor (Class of 2016). “Analysis of Joint Dysfunction During an Aging- Simulation, Laboratory Exercise for Allied Health Students.”

Mary Kate Robbins (Class of 2016). “Muscle fatigue resistance via energy drink consumption:
Assessment of post-experiment participant feedback.”

Lauren Foropoulos (Class of 2015). “Assessment of gastric motility via cutaneous
electrogastrography.”

Michael Pergola (Class of 2015). “Measurement of oxygen saturation during a simulated dive
response: an experimental protocol for undergraduate physiology students.”

John Ratliff (Class of 2015). “Electromyography of mastication muscles in college athletes.”

Hollie Ables (Class of 2014). “Simulated Diabetes Testing Experiment Using Artificially
Manipulated Blood.”

Charles Pritchard (Class of 2014). “Meta-analysis of Melanoma Incidence in the United States:
Demographic Variation and Relationship to UV Index and Latitude.”

Mary Katherine Kerce (Class of 2013). “Effectiveness of Virtual Cadaver Study on Student
Performance in the Human Anatomy and Physiology Courses at the University of
Mississippi.”

Joshua Steward (Class of 2013). “Artificial Sweeteners and Gustatory Sensation Experiment
Protocol for the Human Anatomy and Physiology II Course at the University of Mississippi.”

Jonathon Hughes (Class of 2011). “Reduced Density of Calbindin Immunoreactive Gabaergic
Neurons in Major Depressive Disorder: Relevance to Neuroimaging Studies and Future
Directions.”

Erin Floyd (Class of 2007). “Blood Assays in the Freshwater Turtle, Trachemys scripta, with
Emphasis on Methemoglobin Levels.”

 

Publications, Reports, and Blogs:

Britson, C. A. 2022. Ten Years in the Human Anatomy and Physiology I Classroom: A Retrospective Analysis of Student Preparation, Engagement, Performance, and the Impact of COVID-19. HAPS Educator. Vol 26 (2):19-36. https://doi.org/10.21692/haps.2022.010

Britson, C.A. 2022. HAPS Lab Survey 2022. Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Blog. https://hapsblog.org/2022/02/14/haps-lab-survey-2022/

Britson, C. A. 2020. Effect of Word Bank Provision for Lab Practicals on Student Performance in Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II Courses. HAPS Educator 24 (1): 561-570. https://doi:10.21692/haps.2020.004

Britson, C.A. 2019. Cleaning Anatomical Models with Denture Tablets. Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Blog. https://hapsblog.org/2019/09/03/cleaning-anatomical-models-with-denture-tablets/

Hopp, R., C. Britson, S. Mukhopadhyay, A. Goldina, M. Chapman, and M. Neilsen. 2019. Teaching Assistants in Human Anatomy and Physiology: Their Prevalence, Recruitment Strategies, Funding, Retention, and Training. HAPS Educator 23 (2): 367-384. https://doi.org/10.21692/haps.2019.015

Improving Problem Solving Skills with 3D Anatomy Software. Ole Miss Increases Student Comprehension of 3D Anatomical Relationships with BodyViz. 2019. https://www.bodyviz.com/aspx/newsdetail.aspx?id=65

Britson, C.A. 2019. Creating Unique Learning Opportunities by Integrating Adaptive Learning

Courseware into Supplemental Instruction Sessions. American Physiology Society (APS) Life Sciences Teaching Resource Collection (LifeSciTRC) Physiology Educators Community of Practice (PECOP) Blog. https://blog.lifescitrc.org/pecop/2019/01/28/creating-unique-learning-opportunities-by-integrating-adaptive-learning-courseware-into-supplemental-instruction-sessions/  

Britson, C.A. 2018. Scientific Writing Assignments for a Condensed Format Physiology Course. Retrieved from: http://www.lifescitrc.org/resource.cfm?submissionID=11917

Enjoying your Easter Egg? How the type of chocolate you like is linked to your eating behavior… Walker, S. 2018. https://www.adinstruments.com/blog/enjoying-your-easter-egg-how-type-chocolate-you-linked-your-eating-behavior

Hillhouse, K.C. and C.A. Britson. 2018. Bring your own device initiative to improve engagement and performance in Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II laboratories. HAPS Educator 22(1):40-49. https://doi:10.21692/haps.2018.004

Pergola, M.S., C. A. Britson, and A. Schaefer. 2017. Oxygen saturation during a simulation dive response: development of a protocol for an undergraduate physiology laboratory. HAPS Educator 21(3):48-59. https://doi:10.21692/haps.2017.054

Hill, C.A., C.A. Britson, H. Elbatarny, C. Heimgartner, J.R. Water, and C.M. Wayne. 2017. Managing large anatomy and physiology classrooms. HAPS Educator 21(3):45-47. https://doi:10.21692/haps.2017.053

O’Connor, A.E. and C. A. Britson. 2017. Analysis of an Arthritis Simulation Activity Developed as a Laboratory Exercise for Allied Health Students. HAPS Educator 21(1):30-38. https://doi:10.21692/haps.2017.005

Britson, C.A. and H.E. Ables. 2016. Simulated Diabetes Testing Experiment Using Artificially Manipulated Livestock Blood. Life Science Teaching Resource Community LifeSciTRC.  https://www.lifescitrc.org/resource.cfm?submissionID=10594

Britson, C.A. and J.N. Steward. 2014. Gustatory perception of artificial sweeteners. Life Science Teaching Resource Community LifeSciTRC. http://www.lifescitrc.org/resource.cfm?submissionID=9187

Threlkeld, S.T., Britson, C. A., S. D’Surney, G. Easson, C. Ochs, M. Slattery, A. Crain and D. Schlenk. 2003. “Effects of interacting stressors in agricultural ecosystems: mesocosm and field evaluation of multi-level indicators of wetland responses.” Environmental Protection Agency Award Number R826595 01 0 ($897,634), final report. Funding Period 1 October 1998 – 30 September 2002.

Britson, C. A. 2001. Final project report: status survey of the alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) in the Little Tallahatchie River Basin. Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Foundation Funding Period 1 January 2000 – 30 June 2001.

Britson, C. A. and S. T. Threlkeld. 2000. Interactive effects of anthropogenic, environmental, and biotic stressors on multiple endpoints in Hyla chrysoscelis. Journal of the Iowa Academy of Sciences 107(3):(61-66).

Britson, C. A. and S. T. Threlkeld. 1998. Abundance, metamorphosis, developmental, and behavioral abnormalities in Hyla chrysoscelis tadpoles following exposure to three agrichemicals and methyl mercury in outdoor mesocosms. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 61(2):154-161.

Britson, C. A. 1998. Predatory responses of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to conspicuous and cryptic hatchling, freshwater turtles: a comparative experiment. Copeia 1998(2):383-390.

Britson, C. A. and R. E. Kissell, Jr. 1996. Effects of food type on developmental characteristics of an ephemeral pond breeding anuran, Pseudacris triseriata feriarum. Herpetologica 52:374-382.

Britson, C. A. and W. H. N. Gutzke. 1993. Anti predator mechanisms of hatchling freshwater turtles. Copeia 1993(2):435 440.