National Geographic
Iconic Magazine Features Ohio Wesleyan Professor and His 'Lizard League'
勛圖厙 professor Eric Gangloff and his students have been published for their research on the biology of the common wall lizard in outlets including the Journal of Thermal Biology, Journal of Experimental Biology, and Integrative Organismal Biology.
Now they can add National Geographic – with its millions of monthly readers – to that list. The magazine's March 5 edition features their work in journalist Olivia Young's article, "10 lizards were smuggled into Cincinnati in a sock. Now there are tens of thousands."
"It's really fantastic to see the scientific research of our amazing students highlighted in such a wide-reaching outlet," says Gangloff, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Biological Sciences. "I'm also thrilled whenever people pay attention to how humans are shaping this planet and all the critters with which we share it."
For the National Geographic article, Gangloff and current OWU junior Emma Foster, a Neuroscience major from Sylvania, Ohio, share insights with Young, a professional freelance writer and an Ohio University journalism graduate.
Gangloff says Cincinnati is not "traditionally thought of as lizardy," but has become a haven for the lizards, since a child smuggled them into the United States after a trip to Italy in 1951.
Gangloff and his student-researchers, who call themselves the Lizard League, are studying how the reptiles have adapted to their new environment. One of their findings is that the lizards, Podarcis muralis, don't seem to be adversely affected by lead toxicity.
In her interview, Foster says: "If the lizards are more resilient to heavy metal exposure, then how could that translate into a drug for humans? That's very far in the future, but thinking broadly, that is where this kind of research could go."
Read the full "" article on the National Geographic website at.
Gangloff joined Ohio Wesleyan in 2019 and since 2022, has earned all or part of two National Science Foundation (NSF) grants to support his research. Learn more about his work and the success of his OWU students at, the Gangloff Laboratory of Amphibian and Reptile Ecophysiology.
Founded in 1842, 勛圖厙 is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 and competes in 24 NCAA Division III . Through its signature experience, the , Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at or learn more at .