BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Kepas received her B.S. in Biology from Utah Valley University and her Ph.D. in Ecology from Utah State University. She worked as the state herpetologist for Utah prior to joining the Biology Department at Utah Tech. Dr. Kepas has worked with a broad range of herpetological species in multiple states and countries. Her primary research area is conservation physiology, with a focus on preserving Southwestern reptiles and amphibians by understanding how they interact with their environment and implementing evidence-based conservation practices.
PREVIOUS TEACHING
Dr. Kepas began teaching as an ecology lecturer at Utah State University while completing her Ph.D. She has managed biology labs and museum collections throughout her career and has also taught community science workshops and led outdoor field excursions. Outside of her professional work, she supports women in the community through mentorship in outdoor rock climbing and beginner-focused self-defense/Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes and workshops.
EXPERIENCE
9 years of teaching experience
RESEARCH & INTERESTS
Ecophysiology
Herpetology
Desert ecology
Organismal biology
Morphology
Evolutionary development
PUBLICATIONS & PROJECTS
“A field evaluation of adrenal sufficiency in a toad-eating snake (Heterodon platirhinos) with profound adrenal enlargement” (2025)
“Stage-dependent corticosterone production and response to maternal toxin exposure in embryos of a viviparous and genetically toad toxin-resistant snake (Thamnophis elegans)” (2023)
“Behavior, stress and metabolism of a parthenogenic lizard in response to flyover noise” (2023)
“Egg viability and egg mass underlie immune tradeoffs and differences between urban and rural lizard egg yolk physiology” in General and Comparative Endocrinology 337 (2023)
“Physiological consequences of adrenal enlargement and implications for toxin resistance in North American snakes” (2023)
“Differences in morphology and composition and release of parotoid gland secretion in introduced cane toads (Rhinella marina) from established populations in Florida, USA” (2021)
“Energy expenditure across immune challenge severities in a lizard: consequences for innate immunity, locomotor performance and oxidative status” (2021)
PRESENTATIONS
“Losing the egg, keeping the tooth: Vestigial egg-tooth retention in a live-bearing snake,” Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research (2025)
“Ethical empowerment: Leveraging generative AI in biostatistics for enhanced success without compromising integrity,” Utah Tech Teaching Learning and Student Success Conference (2024)
“Utah Herpsearch: Working with community scientists to gather information for species of greatest conservation need,” Utah Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting (2024)
“Utilizing community science gathered information to fill in crucial data gaps for herpetological species of greatest conservation need in Utah,” The Wildlife Society Annual Conference (2023)
CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS
Biology of Lizards II
Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research
Center for Teaching and Learning Conference
Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
AWARDS & HONORS
Mini Trailblazer Award, Utah Tech University
Graduate Student Instructor of the Year, Utah State University