Porcupines: they’re what bring Associate Professor of Biology Erika Barthelmess to work every day. As a vertebrate ecologist and conservation biologist, Barthelmess notes that her area of expertise lies in the “biology of small, isolated animal populations and animals that thrive in our North Country climate.” She has an interest in studying mammalian behavior and ecology, and in particular the habits of the North American porcupine.

Barthelmess has integrated students into her research; she remarks that “we are working to develop genetic methods for studying porcupine populations,” as well as looking into the impacts of highway traffic on their existence. I “love to work closely with students, exploring new ideas and using biology as a vehicle to self-understanding,” she says.

A member of the faculty for 10 years, Barthelmess has been involved with her students on and off campus, whether it has been through research, her role as on-campus faculty coordinator for the Kenya Semester program or class trips to Cape Cod to study marine mammals.

She appreciates the liberal arts environment, saying that “the development of life-long learning [is] valued over learning applied skills.” Barthelmess is delighted that “helping students discover their place in the world is encouraged” at St. Lawrence.

Barthelmess’ position as director of the St. Lawrence Land Trust, a not-for-profit conservation organization, and her work to develop the conservation biology major are some examples of her on and off-campus activities and achievements. She says that a particularly proud moment was “when my first SLU student graduated from veterinary school.”

In her free time, Barthelmess enjoys the natural scenery of the North Country, remarking that she and her partner “love the outdoors and relish the rural nature of Canton.”