Jim Gessaman

Academic Background

By the time I began planning for college there was no question about what academic area I would focus on. I looked for college or University that had a good museum in which I could work. In my search for a college, I visited Bowling Green, Miami and Ohio Universites and Earlham. Earlham recruited me to play football and gave me the opportunity to work in a very fine natural history museum on campus.

In my junior year in college I took a cell physiology course that pricked a strong interest in learning about the physiological functions of birds, not just their natural history. This course was a turning point. I was intrigued by the effect of weather on bird physiology and behavior. By my senior year I specifically looked for graduate program that would provide the training and research opportunity to study the effect of weather on birds or other animals. I chose the University of Illinois because they had a graduate program in biometeorology within the Department of Physiology and Biophysics. However, none of the professors in the program studied birds. So I completed a MS degree on a non-bird topic, a heat stress study on humans. At this point I was fortunately at the right place at the right time in my graduate education. My major professor for the MS had collaborated with professors at other Big Ten Universities to obtain a large NIH grant to train graduate students in the area of biometeorology. I applied and was accepted. I knew at this point that I was not interested in doing research on humans for a Ph.D. My true love was still birds. I asked Charles Kendeigh, who was a professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Illinois and a well-known avian ecologist, if I could continue my graduate studies at Illinois as his advisee. He accepted. I was excited by the courses he taught and by the research he and his students had done. My Ph.D. research on snowy owls took me to Barrow, Alaska for more than one year, including 2 winters. Yes, I studied the effect of weather on the snowy owl, an area that had pricked my interest in high school when I was teaching weather and bird classes at the Dayton Museum of Natural History. I graduated from Illinois in 1968. At that time Utah State University (USU) in Logan, UT had received a big grant from the NSF to establish a Centers of Excellence in Ecology, which included the hiring of eight new faculty to bolster the depth of research and teaching of ecology at USU. I was one of the eight hired.

Family History in Logan, Utah

Jim and Ann Gessaman moved to Logan in September 1968 with their two children, Jeff (born 1966) and Elizabeth (born 1968). A third daughter, Janel, was born in Logan in 1971. During these years, Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church choir for more than a decade. All three children attended K-12 in Logan public schools. Jeff earned a MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from USU and now lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their children, Casey and Corissa, in Fort Collins, CO. Elizabeth, who is a data processor, has lived in Phoenix, AZ, since 1990. Janel earned a degree in Secondary Education at USU and now lives in Logan with her husband, Pete, and their three girls, Vickie, Angela, and Danielle. Jim and Ann divorced in 1986. Jim and Debbie Clifford (children: Patrick [1964], Michael [1967], Carrie [1970]) were married in 1988. Jim served as President, treasurer, and Social Action chair in the Cache Valley Unitarian Universalists church; and Debbie served as first president of CVUU, as well as Religious Education director and Membership chair. Jim retired in 2003 after 35 years as a professor of Biology at Utah State University. Debbie retired in 2003 after years of secretarial employment at both Colorado State University and USU and at a local law office.

Religious Affiliations

In 2002, Jim was president of the Board of Trustees of the Cache Valley Unitarian Universalists (CVUU) church, which holds Sunday Services at the Logan Senior Citizen's Center but has its ministerial office at the Faith and Fellowship Center. From childhood to the end of graduate school Jim was a confirmed, active member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. After landing in Cache Valley following graduate school, he attended Trinity Lutheran Church for five years, then First Presbyterian Church for 20 years before he married Debbie. She had been a Unitarian Universalist for many years. Since Cache Valley did not have a UU church in 1988 when they were married, they became active members of First Presbyterian Church for about six years before Debbie became homesick for a community of UU people. In 1996, she and a handful of former UUers and interested folks became the driving force that gave rise to CVUU.

Professional History at Utah State University

Jim Gessaman, an ornithologist, ecologist, and physiologist at Utah State University (USU) from 1968-2003, was the major advisor for 20 students earning a MS degree and 11 earning a PhD. He authored more than 50 publications on bird migration; energetics of flight; physiological adaptations of mammals and birds (with emphasis on hawks, eagles, and owls) to inclement environments; and validations of new methodologies for studying animal energetics and metabolism. During four sabbaticals, he carried out research as a visiting scientist at the Rowlett Research Lab (Aberdeen, Scotland), CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology Lab (Canberra, Australia), UCLA, Savannah River Ecology Lab (South Carolina), and the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research (Texel Island). Jim offered extraordinary opportunities to USU students during spring-break field trips to view museums and natural history sites. He’d rent a full bus with monitors at the seats, grab nature videos, load students up, and head to aquariums, tide pools, wildlife reserves or biology research labs in California and Mexico. He did his own field trips with alumni, friends, and family all over the world. His courses were Ecological Vertebrate Physiology, Mammalian Physiology, Human Physiology and General Biology.

Travels

In addition to being the Semester at Sea (SAS) biologist in Fall ’86, I have since had extensive experience lecturing on cruise ships where I have given four to five biology lectures per cruise: five 2-week cruises (’91,’92,’94,’97,’99) on the Inside Passage to Alaska (World Explorer Cruises: SS Universe and SS Universe Explorer); a one-week cruise around Hawaii’s main islands (American:Hawaiian Cruise Line); a 16-day cruise through the Panama Canal from San Diego, CA to Tampa, FL; and a 17-day cruise to the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

In addition to guiding field trips and lecturing on cruise ships, I have studied the flora and fauna at many other international locations as a researcher and as a tourist. Since Fall Semester 1986, I have spent six months on sabbatical in Australia. My wife and I traveled extensively in the eastern half of that continent and scuba dived 13 times on the Great Barrier Reef. We also spent one month in New Zealand and one week in Fiji. In 1998 we traveled two weeks in South Africa (mostly in the Capetown area and in Durban) and three weeks in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe on safari. Although the Fall ’86 SAS itinerary did not include stops in Africa or Latin America, I have been to both of those areas on wildlife expeditions. I have visited 6 Latin American countries (Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Panama) and 6 African countries (Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe

Major Activities in Each of the First Four Years after Retirement

First Year (July 1, 2003-June 30, 2004): Traveled out of Utah for 6 months: Wyoming-Idaho-2 weeks; Idaho, Oregon, & CA-4 weeks; CA, AZ, NM, TX, & CO-4 ½ months

Second Year: Traveled out of Utah for 4 ½ months: Shasta, CA-1 week; S. Utah-1 week; MN & OH-1 month; AZ & CA-3 months

Third Year: Lived in Tucson, AZ in our RV during winter

Fourth Year: Moved permanently from Utah to Tucson, AZ in mid-August 2006. Current address is: 8822 N. Sky Dancer Cir, Tucson, AZ 85742

Scientific Publications

Scholarly (Refereed) Journals

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1972. Bioenergetics of the Snowy Owl. Arctic and Alpine Res. 4:223.

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1972. Design of a wind tunnel metabolism chamber for small animals. J. Applied Physiol. 33:225.

Sawby, S.W. and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1974. Telemetry of electrocardiograms from free‑living birds: A method of electrode placement. Condor 76:479.

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1975. Book review of "Avian Energetics". Science 185:1009.

Brockway, J.M. and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1977. The energy cost of locomotion on the level and on gradients for the red deer (Cervus elaphus). Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology 62:333.

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1978. Body temperature and heart rate of the snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca). Condor 80:243‑245.

GESSAMAN, J.A. and P.R. Findell. 1979. Energy cost of incubation in the American kestrel. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 63A:57‑62.

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1979. Body water of the American kestrel. Raptor Research 13:91‑96.

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1979. Premigratory fat in the American kestrel. Wilson Bulletin 91(4):625‑626.

Flynn, R.K. and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1979. An evaluation of heart rate as a measure of daily metabolism in pigeons (Columba livia). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 63A:511‑514.

GESSAMAN, J. A. 1980. An evaluation of heart rate as an indirect measure of daily energy metabolism of the American kestrel. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 65A:273‑289.

GESSAMAN, J. A. 1980. Heart rate and body temperature of the Uinta ground squirrel in the field. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 66A:707‑710.

Hayes, S. R. and J. A. GESSAMAN. 1980. The combined effects of air temperature, wind and radiation on the resting metabolism of avian raptors. J. Thermal Biology 5:119‑125.

GESSAMAN, J. A. 1982. A survey of raptors in northern Utah. Raptor Research 16:4‑10.

Hayes, S. R. and J. A. GESSAMAN. 1982. Prediction of raptor resting metabolism: comparison of measured values with tatistical and biophysical estimates. J. Thermal Biology 4:45‑50.

Stalmaster, M. V. and J. A. GESSAMAN. 1982. Food consumption and energy requirements of captive bald eagles. J. Wild. Manage. 46:646‑654.

GESSAMAN, J. A. and J. A. MacMahon. 1984. Mammals in ecosystems: their effects on the composition and production of vegetation. Acta Zool. Fenn. 172:11‑18.

GESSAMAN, J. A. 1984. Body Fat, Body Water, and Total Caloric Value of Uinta Ground Squirrels. Great Basin Naturalist 44(1):176‑177.

GESSAMAN, J. A. 1984. Book review of "Behavioral energetics: the cost of survival in vertebrates". Auk 101:421-422.

Stalmaster, M.V. and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1984. Ecological energetics and foraging behavior of overwintering Bald Eagles. Ecol. Mono. 543:407‑428.

Harris, G.D., H.D. Huppi and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1985. The thermal conductance of winter and summer pelage of Lepus californicus. J. Therm. Biol. 10:79‑81.

GESSAMAN, J.A., J.A. Johnson and S.W. Hoffman. 1986. Hematocrits and erythrocyte numbers for Cooper's and sharp‑shinned hawks. Condor 88:95‑ 96.

Custer, T.W., R.G. Osborn, F.A. Pitelka and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1986. Energy budget and prey requirements of breeding Lapland Longspurs near Barrow, Alaska, U.S.A. Arctic and Alpine Research 18:415‑427.

GESSAMAN, J.A. and K.A. Nagy. 1988. Transmitter loads affect the slight speed and metabolism of homing pigeons. Condor 90:662‑668.

GESSAMAN, J. A. and K. A. Nagy. 1988. Energy metabolism: errors in gas exchange conversion factors. Physiological Zoology 61:507‑513.

GESSAMAN, J.A. and A.G. Goliszek. 1989. Marmot scats supplement hay pile vegetation as food energy for pikas. Great Basin Naturalist 49:466‑467.

Rogowitz, G.L. and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1990. Influence of air temperature, wind and irradiance on metabolism of white-tailed jackrabbits. J. Therm. Biol. 15:125-131.

GESSAMAN, J.A. and S.W. Hoffman. 1990. Body temperatures of migrant accipiter hawks just after flight. Wilson Bulletin 102:133-137.

Kirkley, J.S. and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1990. Ontogeny of thermoregulation in Red-tailed Hawks and Swainson's Hawks. Wilson Bulletin 102:71-83.

Kirkley, J.S. and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1990. Water economy of nestling Swainson's Hawks. Condor 92:29-44.

Hoffman, S.W., J.P. Smith and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1990. Size of fall-migrant accipiters from the Goshute Mountains of Nevada. J. Field Ornithology 61:201-211.

Smith, J.P., S.W. Hoffman and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1990. Regional size differences among fall-migrant accipiters in North America. J. Field Ornithology 61:192-200.

Kennedy, P.L., and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1991. Diurnal resting metabolic rates of accipiters. Wilson Bulletin 103:101-105.

GESSAMAN, J.A., M.R. Fuller, P.J. Pekins, and G.E. Duke. 1991. Resting metabolic rate of Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, and Barred Owls with a tracking transmitter or an equivalent load. Wilson Bulletin 103:261-265.

GESSAMAN, J.A., G.W. Workman, M.R. Fuller. 1991. Flight performance, energetics and water turnover of tippler pigeons with a harness and dorsal load. Condor 93:546-554.

Pekins, P.J., F.G. Lindzey, and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1991. Physical characteristics of Blue Grouse winter use trees and roost sites. Great Basin Naturalist 51:244-248.

Pekins, P.J., J.A. GESSAMAN and F.G. Lindzey. 1992. Winter energy requirements of Blue Grouse. Canadian J. Zoology 70:22-24.

Pekins, P.J., J.A. GESSAMAN and F.G. Lindzey. 1994. Field metabolic rate of blue grouse during winter. Can. J. Zool. 72:227-231.

Kennedy, P.L., J.M. Ward, G.A. Rinker and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1994. Post-fledging areas in northern goshawk home ranges. Studies in Avian Biology 16:75-82.

Pekins, P. J., J. A. GESSAMAN, and F. G. Lindzey 1997. Microclimatic characteristics of blue grouse Dendragapus obscurus roost-sites: influence on energy expenditure. Wildlife biology 3: 243-250.

GESSAMAN, J. A., R. D. Nagle, and J. D. Congdon. 1998. Evaluation of the cyclopropane absorption method of measuring avian body fat. Auk 115: 175-187.

Hinton, T.G., GESSAMAN, J.A., Nagle, R.D. & Congdon, J.D. 1998. An evaluation of whole body potassium-40 content for estimating lean and fat mass in pigeons. Condor 100: 579-582.

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1999. Evaluation of some nonlethal methods of estimating avian body fat and lean mass. In: Adams, N.J. & Slotow, R.H. (eds) Proc. 22 Int. Ornithol. Congr., Durban:2-16. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa.

Delong, J.P. & GESSAMAN, J.A. 2001. A comparison of noninvasive techniques for estimating total body fat in Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks. J. Filed Ornithol. 72:349-364.

Wilson, R. and GESSAMAN, J.A. 2003. Two large bald eagle communal winter roosts in Utah. J. Raptor Research 37:78-83.

Wilson, G.R., Cooper, S.J., and GESSAMAN, J.A. 2004. The effects of temperature and artificial rain on the metabolism of American kestrels (Falco sparverius). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 139:389-394.

GESSAMAN, J.A., Newgrain, K., and Green, B. 2004. Validation of the doubly-labeled water (DLW) method for estimating CO₂ production and water flux in growing poultry chicks. Journal of Avian Biology 35:71-96.

Piersma, T, GESSAMAN, J.A., Dekinga, A., and Visser, G.H. 2004. Gizzard and other lean mass components increase, yet Basal metabolic Rates decrease, when red knots Calidris canutus are shifted from soft to hard-shelled food. Journal of Avian Biology 35:99-104.

Cooper, S.J. and GESSAMAN, J.A. 2004. Thermoregulation and habitat preference in mountain chickadees and juniper titmice. Condor 106:852-861.

Cooper, S.J. and GESSAMAN, J.A. 2005. Nocturnal hypothermia in seasonally acclimatized mountain chickadees and juniper titmice. Condor 107: 151-155.

Scholarly (Unrefereed) Journals

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1973. Methods of estimating the energy cost of free existence. In: J.A. GESSAMAN (ed), Ecological Energetics of Homeotherms. Ecological Energetics of Homeotherms, USU Press pp. 94‑96.

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1973. The effect of solar radiation and wind on energy metabolism. In: J.A. GESSAMAN (ed.), Ecological Energetics of Homeotherms. Ecological Energetics of Homeotherms, USU Press.

Hargrove, J.L. and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1973. An evaluation of respiratory rate as an indirect monitor of free‑living energy metabolism. In: J.A. GESSAMAN (ed.). Ecological Energetics of Homeotherms, USU Press pp. 77‑85.

Johnson, S.F. and J.A. GESSAMAN. 1973. An evaluation of heart rate as an indirect monitor of free‑living energy metabolism. In: J.A. GESSAMAN (ed). Ecological Energetics of Homeotherms. Ecological Energetics Homeotherms, USU Press pp. 43‑54.

Books or Chapters in Books

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1984. Physiological adaptations in arctic birds, in: G.E. Folk, Jr. and M.A. Folk (eds.), Vilhajalmur Stefansson and the Development of Arctic Terrestrial Science. University of Iowa, Iowa City pp. 171‑174.

GESSAMAN, J.A. and L. Haggas. 1987. Energetics of the American kestrel in northern Utah. In: D.M. Bird and R. Bowman (eds.). The Ancestral Kestrel. Res Found., Inc. and Macdonald Raptor Res. Centre McGill Univ., Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec pp. 137‑144.

GESSAMAN, J.A. and G.L. Worthen. 1982. The Effect of Weather on Avian Mortality. Utah State University Printing Services, Logan, Utah.

Invited Reviews

GESSAMAN, J.A. 1987. Energetics. pp. 289‑320 In: B.A. Giron Pendleton, B.A. Millsap, K.W. Cline and D.M. Bird (eds.) Raptor Management Techniques Manual. National Wildlife Federation, Washington D.C.

For More Info: Google James A. Gessaman and several hundred citations of my activities and publications will appear.

gessaman@biology.usu.edu