EDUCATION

Ph.D., Aquatic Resources, Texas State University, December 2014

M.S., Wildlife Ecology, Texas State University-San Marcos, May 2010

B.S., Biology (minor in Chemistry), Henderson State University, May 2008

UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE

2015-present   Assistant Professor. Department of Biology, Eastern New Mexico University

2015                Postdoctoral Research Associate. Department of Biology, Texas State University          

2008-2014       Instructional Assistant. Department of Biology, Texas State University

2010-2014       Research Assistant. Department of Biology, Texas State University

2010-2014       Vertebrate Collection Curator. Teaching Specimen Curator. Michael R.J. Forstner frozen tissue collection curator. Department of                                            Biology, Texas State University

2011-2013       GK – 12 Fellow. National Science Foundation- Project Flowing Waters (Grant No. 0742306). Texas State University

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2015-present   Assistant Professor- Mammalogy; Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences; Landscape Ecology and GIS; Herpetology; Ornithology;                            Conservation Biology, Research Presentation in Biology. Eastern New Mexico University 

2013-2014       Lab Instructor- Genetics. Texas State University

2011-2013       Co-instructor- Biology and Chemistry. Owen Goodnight San Marcos Middle School

GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND AWARDS

Mali, I., and M.R.J. Forstner. 2017. Share with Wildlife Program. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Expanding survey efforts of western river cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) in the Pecos River drainage and its tributaries. Eastern New Mexico University ($32,000).​

Mali, I. 2017. ENMU Internal Research Grant. Soft tick surveys among black-tailed prairie dog burrows. Eastern New Mexico University ($4,861.06)

Mali, I., and M.R.J. Forstner. 2016. Share with Wildlife Grant. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Phase II: Demography of western river cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) population within the Black River drainage. Eastern New Mexico University ($22,500).

Mali, I., and M.R.J. Forstner. 2016. Share with Wildlife Grant. Bureau of Land Management. Phase II: Demography of western river cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) population within the Black River drainage. Eastern New Mexico University ($7,000).

Letter, A. (student PI) and I. Mali (adviser PI). 2016. New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute Student Research Grant. Monitoring water quality parameters within a known range of western river cooters (Pseudemys gorzugi) within Black River Drainage Grant No. Q01862. Eastern New Mexico University ($5,771.76).

Mali, I. 2016. ENMU Internal Research Grant. Assessment of Hantavirus among small mammal communities in Eastern New Mexico. Eastern New Mexico University ($2997.87).

Mali, I., and M.R.J. Forstner. 2015. Share with Wildlife Grant. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Assessment of Rio Grande cooter populations within the southern Pecos river and tributaries in New Mexico. Eastern New Mexico University ($35,000).

Mali, I. 2014. Eben-Elledge Award. Department of Biology. Texas State University ($2,300)

Mali, I. 2014. William E. (Henry) Norris, Jr. Award. Department of Biology. Texas State University ($1,500)

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2013. Abstract. Trapping turtles using hoop-nets: testing assumptions and potential biases. Texas Academy of Science. 116th Annual Meeting, Texas Academy of Science, February 28-March 2, 2013, Schreiner University, Kerrville, Texas.  *winner 2nd place, Best student oral presentation

Mali, I. 2013. Doctoral Research Stipend Award. Texas State University-San Marcos ($4800)

Mali, I. 2012-2013. Graduate Scholarship. College of Science, Texas State University-San Marcos ($2,000)

Mali, I., Thomas R. Simpson, Francis L. Rose. 2011. Abstract. Reproductive patterns of Texas River Cooter (Pseudemys texana) and Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) at Spring Lake, Hays County, Texas, Texas State University-San Marcos, TX. 114th Annual Meeting, Texas Academy of Science, March 3-5, 2011, St. Edwards University, Austin, Texas.  *winner Honorable Mention, Best student oral presentation

SCHOLARLY OUTPUT
Articles (Refereed)

​Duarte, A., and I. Mali. 2018. Modeling dispersal processes for ecological systems. in B.D. Fath, editor. Encyclopedia of Ecology, second edition. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Mirabal J., A.W. Letter, K.J. Waldon, and I. Mali. 2018. Pseudemys gorzugi (Rio Grande Cooter). Attractions to trap baits. Herpetological Review 49(2):323-324.

Suriyamongkol, T. C.D. Wisneski, and I. Mali. 2018. Geographic Distribution. Hemidactylus turcicus. Herpetological Review 49(2):286.

Mali, I., A. Duarte, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2018. Comparison of hoop-net trapping and visual surveys to monitor abundance of the Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi). PeerJ 6:e4677 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4677.

Letter, A.W., K.J. Waldon, and I. Mali. 2018. Geographic Distribution. Aspidoscelis tesselata. Herpetological Review 49(1):73.

Letter, A.W., K.J. Waldon, I. Mali, and R.D. Reams. 2017. Pseudemys gorzugi (Rio Grande Cooter). Maximum clutch size. Herpetological Review 48(4):836-837.
 
Waldon, K.J., A.W. Letter, and I. Mali. 2017. Pseudemys gorzugi (Rio Grande Cooter). Ingested fish hook. Herpetological Review 48(4):837.

Ortega-Berno, V., W.A. Parish, and I. Mali. 2017. Twenty years of herping: updated visual representation of species richness in New Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist 62(3):215-220.

Pitts, S.L., B. Hughes, and I. Mali. 2017. Rattlesnake nuisance removals as the outcome of urban expansion in Phoenix, Arizona. Western North American Naturalist 77(3):309-316.

Mali, I., A. Villamizar-Gomez, I. Krizmanić, R. Ajtić, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2017. Evidence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection in amphibians from Serbian lowlands. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 53(3):686-689.

Curtis, J., I. Mali, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2017. Pseudemys gorzugi (Rio Grande cooter). Hatchling movement. Herpetological Review 48(2):426.

Villamizar-Gomez, A., M.R.J. Forstner, T. Suriyamongkol, K. Forks, W.E. Grant, H.H. Wang, and I. Mali. 2016. Prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in two sympatric treefrog species, Hyla cinerea and Hyla versicolor. Herpetological Review 47(4):601-605.

Mali, I., F.W. Weckerly, T.R. Simpson, and M.R.J. Fosrtner. 2016. Small scale-high resolution terrestrial activity of Trachemys scripta elegans, harvest intensity, and immediate movement responses following harvest events. Copeia 104(3):677-682.

Mali, I., H.H. Wang, W.E. Grant, M. Feldman, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2015. Modeling commercial freshwater turtle production on US farms for pet and meat markets. PLoSONE 10(9): e0139053. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139053.

Mali, I., A. Villamizar-Gomez, T.M. Guerra, M.W. Vandewege, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2015. Population genetics of Texas spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera emoryi) under various anthropogenic pressures in two distinct regions of their range in Texas. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 14(2):148-156.

Parandhaman, A.., I. Mali, and M.R.J. Fostner. 2015. Geographic Distribution. Chelydra serpentina. Herpetological Review 46(4):564.

Sirsi, S., I. Mali, A. Villamizar-Gomez, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2015. Geographic Distribution. Apalone spinifera guadalupensis. Herpetological Review 46(4):563-564.

Villamizar-Gomez, A.., I. Mali, S. Sirsi, and M.R.J. Fostner. 2015.Geographic Distribution. Chelydra serpentina. Herpetological Review 46(3):381.

Donald J. Brown, J.R. Ferrato, C.J. White, I. Mali, M.R.J. Forstner, and T.R. Simpson. 2015. Short-term changes in summer and winter resident bird communities following a high severity wildfire in a southern USA mixed pine/hardwood forest. Forest Ecology and Management 350:13-21.

Mali, I., D. Haynes, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Effects of bait type, bait age, and trap hours on capture success of freshwater turtles. Southeastern Naturalist 13(3):619-625.

Mali, I., T.R. Simpson, and F.L. Rose. 2014. Reproductive demography of two closely related emydine turtles in a spring fed system. Southwestern Naturalist 59(3):325-330.

Brown, D.J., A. Duarte, I. Mali, M.C. Jones, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Potential impacts of a high severity wildfire on abundance, movement, and diversity of herpetofauna in the Lost Pines Ecoregion of Texas. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 9(1):192-205.

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, J.R. Ferrato, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Sampling freshwater turtle populations using hoop nets: testing potential biases. Wildlife Society Bulletin. doi: 10.1002/wsb.427.

Brown, D.J., I. Mali, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Forest wildfire and post-fire restoration action impacts on microclimate and seedling pine tree survivorship. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 5(1):174-182. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3996/072013-JFWM-051.

Mali, I., and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Use of stationary microchip reader for monitoring interpond movement of freshwater turtles. Herpetological Review 45(1):22-25.

Mali, I., M.W. Vandewege, S.K. Davis, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Magnitude of the freshwater turtle exports from the US: long term trends and early effects of newly implemented harvest management regimes. PLoSONE 9(1): e86478. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086478.

Brown, D.J., W.H. Nowlin, E. Ozel, I. Mali, D. Episcopo, M.C. Jones, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Comparison of short term low, moderate, and high severity fire impacts to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem components of a southern USA mixed pine/hardwood forest. Forest Ecology and Management 312:179-192.

Mali, I., B.E. Dickerson, D.J. Brown, J.R. Dixon, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2013. Road density not a major driver of Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) population demographics in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 8(1):131-140.

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, M.C. Jones, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2013. Hoop net escapes and influence of traps containing turtles on Texas spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera emoryi) captures. Herpetological Review 44(1):40-42.

Mali, I., and J.R. Dixon. 2012. Geographic distribution.  Hemidactylus turcicus. Herpetological Review 43(3):445.

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, M.C. Jones, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2012. Switching bait as a method to improve freshwater turtle capture and recapture success with hoop net traps. Southeastern Naturalist 11(2):311-318.

Jones, M.C., D.J. Brown, I. Mali, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2012. Assessment of public knowledge and support for recovery of the endangered Houston toad in Bastrop County, Texas. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 17(3):220-224.

Brown, D.J., I. Mali, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2011. No difference in short-term temporal distribution of trapping effort on hoop net capture efficiency for freshwater turtles. Southeastern Naturalist 10(2):245-250.

Articles (Refereed, in review)

Curtis, J.L., M.T. Milholland, T. Schountz, I. Castro-Arellano, and I. Mali. Detection of hantavirus-specific antibodies in eastern New Mexico small mammals. Journal of Wildlife Diseases.

Mali, I., A.W. Letter, D.H. Foley III, and M.R.J. Forstner. Differential demographics of Rio Grande cooter in two populations from New Mexico and Texas. Journal of Herpetology.

Suriyamongkol, T., K. Forks, A. Villamizar-Gomez, I. Mali, H.H. Wang, W.E. Grant, and M.R.J. Forstner. Using PVC pipes as a conservation tool for green tree frogs (Hyla cinerea) after wildlife in central Texas. Biodiversity.

Invited Book Chapters
 
Duarte, A., and I. Mali. 2018. Modeling dispersal processes for ecological systems. in B.D. Fath, editor. Encyclopedia of Ecology, second edition. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.10573-1

Technical Reports

Mali, I. 2017. Interim Report. Phase II: Demography of western river cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) population within the Black River drainage. Submitted to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 8 pgs.
 
Mali, I., and M.R.J. Forstner. 2017. Final Report. Survey of western river cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) in New Mexico within Black River Drainage. Submitted to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 16 pgs.

Mali, I. 2016. Interim Report. Survey of western river cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) in New Mexico within Black River Drainage. Submitted to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 13 pgs.

Forstner, M.R.J. and I. Mali. 2011. Aquatic diversity assessment Phase I: Nov 2011 initial trapping Bentsen Rio Grande State Park canal system. Submitted to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 5 pgs.

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, M.C. Jones, J.R. Dixon, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2011. Final Report. Assessing Texas’ freshwater turtle populations: project status and results from selected studies. Submitted to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 83 pgs.

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, J.R. Dixon, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2010. Interim Report. Assessing Texas freshwater turtle populations: results from Big Bend National Park. Submitted to the National Park Service. 12pgs.

Mali, I., J.T. Jackson, D.J. Brown, J.R. Dixon, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2010. Interim Report. Assessing Texas freshwater turtle populations: project status and results from selected studies. Submitted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 46 pgs.

Professional Presentations

Mali, I., A.W. Letter, A. Duarte, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2018. Rio Grande cooter ecology on the Black River: results of high intensity surveys in 2016-2017. The Southwestern Association of Naturalists, 65th annual conference, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, April 12-15 (Oral Presentation)

Mali, I., A. Duarte, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2017. Comparison of survey methods enabling estimates of population size and population demographics of Rio Grande River Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi). The Wildlife Society, 24th annual conference, Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM, September 23-27 (Oral Presentation)

Curtis, J., M. Milholland, I. Castro-Arellano, and I. Mali. 2017. Surveillance of hantaviruses in eastern New Mexico.  43rd Annual Student Research Conference, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM, April 5 (Oral Presentation)
 
Letter, A.W., M.R.J. Forstner, D.H. Foley III, and I. Mali. 2017. Differential Demographics of Rio Grande Cooter in Two Populations from New Mexico and Texas. 43rd Annual Student Research Conference, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM, April 5 (Oral Presentation)

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, J.R. Ferrato, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Sampling freshwater turtle populations using hoop nets: testing potential biases. The Wildlife Society, 21st annual conference (Poster Presentation).

Mali, I., M.W. Vandewege, S.K. Davis, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2013. Are newly implemented harvest management regimes the best strategy for protection of wild freshwater turtle populations in the Southeast US? Texas Herpetological Society, Fall 2013 Symposium (Oral Presentation)

Mali, I., M.W. Vandewege, S.K. Davis, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2013. International markets and national impacts to biodiversity: the magnitude of freshwater turtle exports from the US and recent regulatory outcomes. Texas State University-San Marcos, 5th annual International Research Conference (Oral Presentation)

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2013. Trapping turtles using hoop-nets: testing assumptions and potential biases. Texas Academy of Science, 116th annual meeting (Oral Presentation).

Mali, I., S. Schwinning, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2012. Use of demographic sensitivity analysis in management of freshwater turtle harvest. Texas State University-San Marcos, 4th annual International Research Conference (Oral Presentation).

Mali, I., S. Schwinning, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2012. Toward sustainable worldwide utilization of chelonians. World Congress of Herpetology, 7th meeting (Oral Presentation).

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2011. Trapping turtles using hoop-nets: testing assumptions and potential biases. Texas Herpetological Society, Fall 2011 Symposium (Oral Presentation).

Mali, I., M.R.J. Forstner, and D.J. Brown. 2011. Conservation and sustainable use of turtle populations worldwide: past, present, and future strategies. Ecological Society of America, 96th annual meeting (Oral Presentation).

Mali, I., F.L. Rose, and T.R. Simpson. 2011. Relationship of egg and clutch parameters to body size in Pseudemys texana and Trachemys scripta elegans. Texas Academy of Science, 114th annual meeting (Oral Presentation).

Mali, I., D.J. Brown, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2011. Toward sustainable worldwide utilization of chelonians. Texas State University-San Marcos, Department of Biology Colloquium, 16th annual meeting (Oral Presentation).

Mali, I., M.R.J. Forstner, and D.J. Brown. 2011. Toward sustainable utilization of chelonians. The 8th International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability (Virtual Presentation).

Mali, I., F.L. Rose, T.R. Simpson, and F. Weckerly. 2010. Reproductive Patterns of Texas River Cooters and Red eared Sliders. Southwestern Association of Naturalists, 57th annual meeting (Oral Presentation).

Invited Presentations

Mali, I. and T.R. Simpson. 2010. Snake Bites: what to do and what not to do. Paint Creek Wildlife Management Association meeting, Bastrop, Texas (Oral Presentation).

STUDENTS ADVISED (committee chair)
​
Christopher Wisneski, Eastern New Mexico University, Biology of soft tick (Ornithodoros turicata) among prairie dog burrows (2018-present)
Thanchira Suriyamongkol (MJ), Eastern New Mexico University, Reproductive demography of Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) (2017-present)
Andrew Letter, Master's student, Eastern New Mexico University, Diet of Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) (2016-present)
Jessica Curtis, Master's student, Eastern New Mexico University, Prevalence of Hantavirus among small mammals in Eastern New Mexico (2016-2017)

STUDENTS SUPERVISED
Andrea Villamizar, PhD student, Texas State University, Amphibian and reptile disease ecology (2012-2015)
Anjana Parandhaman, Master student, Texas State University, Texas tortoise habitat suitability (2014-2015)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2014-2015      Houston Toad Expert, Fieldwork and Compliance Specialist, Waterlife LLC. Houston toad impact mitigation. Robertson County, Texas.

2014-2015      Jollyville Plateau Salamander Expert, Fieldwork and Compliance Specialist, Texas Department of Transportation. Jollyville Plateau                                      Salamander impact mitigation. Williamson County, Texas.

2013               Houston Toad Expert, Fieldwork and Compliance Specialist, Natural Resources Conservation Services. Houston toad impact mitigation.                              Bastrop County, Texas. 

2012-2014      Houston Toad Expert, Fieldwork and Compliance Specialist, Texas Department of Transportation. Houston toad impact mitigation.                                        Bastrop County, Texas.

2012-2013      Houston Toad Expert, Fieldwork and Compliance Specialist, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Houston toad impact                                  mitigation. Wildfire cleanup operations, Bastrop County, Texas.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional Society Membership

Texas Herpetological Society- President (2014)
Texas Herpetological Society- President Elect (2013)
Texas Herpetological Society- Vice President (2012)

The Wildlife Society (2013-present)       
Turtle Survival Alliance- Member (2012-present)
Texas Academy of Science- Member (2012-present)   

External manuscript reviewer

2015    Biological Conservation (1); PLoSONE (1); Southeastern Naturalist (2)
2012    Herpetological Review (2)