Dave Gammon
Professor of Biology | Elon University
Elon, NC, UNITED STATES
Dave Gammon is an integrative scientist who builds bridges beyond traditional scientific communities.
Biography
Dave Gammon is an integrative scientist who builds bridges beyond traditional scientific communities. Although trained as an animal behavior biologist (birdsong), he was hired as a generalist to connect science to everything else. Some of the courses he teaches the most include:
• Science Without Borders (SCI121) – introduction to the biggest ideas in all of the natural sciences
• Journey Through Time (SCI126) – scientific exploration of the history of the universe, solar system, life on Earth, human civilization, and everything in between
• Paths of Inquiry (ECF111) – exploration of the depth and breadth of the arts and sciences, with an emphasis on how to develop original research questions in the three branches of the Arts & Sciences
• So You Think You Can Save The Planet (COR456) – interdisciplinary investigation of the biggest dilemmas ever to face humanity, such as the benefits and costs of industrialization and free markets, and how to address large-scale environmental problems such as species extinctions and climate change
In addition to the classes he teaches, Dave Gammon engages in a variety of STEM outreach activities, such as coordinating a monthly science café, writing science-based editorials, and public talks.
Areas of Expertise (6)
Public Perception of Science
Nature of Science
STEM Outreach
Animal Behavior
Nonmajors Science Education
Ecological Economics
Media
Publications:
Documents:
Videos:
Audio/Podcasts:
Education (3)
University of Vermont: Graduate Certificate, Ecological Economics 2013
Advisor: Joshua Farley
Colorado State University: Ph.D., Ecology 2004
Advisor: Myron C. Baker
Brigham Young University: B.S., Conservation Biology 1999
Advisor: Brian A. Mauer Minor: Mathematics Minor: Music
Affiliations (2)
- Tectonic Plates: Alamance County's Science Cafe : Organizer
- Burlington Science Expo : Co-Organizer
Links (2)
Media Appearances (10)
‘Prisoner’s Dilemma’ could offer future shutdown solution
The Charleston Post and Courier online
2019-01-30
This opinion piece by Dave Gammon applies the "Prisoner's Dilemma" game theory to the government shutdown in Washington, D.C.
Neither political party has a corner on climate policy solutions
The Virginian-Pilot online
2018-09-23
In this op-ed piece, Gammon explores the unnecessary partisan divide over the science of climate change.
Why Mockingbirds Mock
HowStuffWorks online
2018-06-20
What do Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas have in common — other than a passion for college football? They've all chosen a feathered plagiarist as their official state bird. The Northern mockingbird's scientific name, Mimus polyglottos, means "mimic of many tongues." It can imitate the noises made by cardinals, blue jays, wrens, titmice and a variety of other birds. Even more remarkable is this creature's spot-on impressions of car alarms and squeaking gates.
How Kilauea eruption fits into our geological heritage
The Fayetteville Observer online
2018-06-16
In this op-ed piece, Gammon examines the eruption of the Kialuea volcano in Hawaii and how it ranks looking back on past eruptions.
Why we shouldn’t be afraid of human gene editing
Genetic Literacy Project online
2017-10-20
Many feel a visceral dread that scientists have awakened a monster – Move over, Frankenstein; designer babies are the future! To others the news triggers a raw fascination that humanity will now make a great leap forward – Scientists can stamp out all remaining human diseases, and we will inherit the keys to immortality!
People want an end to gerrymandering
The Virginian-Pilot online
2017-10-13
This opinion column by Dave Gammon focuses on the redistricting fight in North Carolina and the idea that legislative maps should reflect the interests of all residents.
Learn the science before passing judgment on human genetic modification
Richmond Times-Dispatch online
2017-08-19
In this opinion piece, Gammon writes about the recent modification of the genomes of human embryos and the fact that the debate should be based on an understanding of the science behind genetic modification.
Cuckoos mimic the sound of musk hogs to avoid being eaten
New Scientist online
2017-07-03
Bird or beast? A cuckoo seems to have learned how to mimic the sounds made by the pig-like peccaries it lives alongside, perhaps to ward off predators. The Neomorphus ground cuckoos live in forests in Central and South America, where they often follow herds of wild peccaries so they can feed on the invertebrates that the peccaries disturb as they plough through the leaf litter.
How To Train A Mockingbird To Sing Something Less Annoying
Wired online
2016-06-14
The similarity isn’t a coincidence. Dave Gammon, a biologist at Elon University, looked closely at the kinds of songs and sounds mockingbirds choose to imitate, and he found that only one factor matters: whether or not the sound is like one of those native mockingbird songs. “Whatever they hear that is acoustically similar to the sounds they already produce,” he says, “that’s what they’re most likely to copy.”
What's the Filthiest Animal?
Gizmodo online
2018-03-12
In this piece for the series "Giz Asks," Dave Gammon explains why vultures could be the world's filthiest animal.
Articles (2)
Estimating vocal repertoire size is like collecting coupons: A theoretical framework with heterogeneity in signal abundance
Journal of Theoretical Biology
Kershenbaum, A., T.M. Freeberg, and D.E. Gammon
2015 Vocal repertoire size is an important behavioural measure in songbirds and mammals with complex vocal communication systems, and has traditionally been used as an indicator of individual fitness, cognitive ability, and social structure. Estimates of asymptotic repertoire size have typically been made using curve fitting techniques. However, the exponential model usually applied in these techniques has never been provided with a theoretical justification based on probability theory, and the model has led to inaccurate estimates.
Seasonal patterns of vocal mimicry in northern mockingbirds Mimus polyglottos
Journal of Avian Biology
David E. Gammon
2014 Many aspects of birdsong vary seasonally, but we know almost nothing about seasonal variation in vocal mimicry, a conspicuous feature of the songs of 15–20% of bird species.
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