Robert Ratterman

Robert Ratterman profile image
Department
Biology
Primary campus
Cattaraugus County
Location
AHSC 220
Phone
716.376.7557

Professor

I have taught a variety of biology courses at JCC, including many of the core courses in biology. Since 2003, I have co-taught Tropical Biology, which has proven to be one of my most enjoyable courses. During odd-numbered spring semesters we spend the spring recess exploring the rainforests of Costa Rica and snorkeling the coral reefs of Bocas del Toro, Panama. Over the years we have witnessed the eruption of the Arenal volcano, observed nesting of endangered leatherback sea turtles and zip-lined through rainforest canopies.

In my spare time I tend to my five beehives and enjoy fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye on Lake Erie. In 2011, my then 14-year-old daughter caught the largest walleye in New York State that year — 11 pounds, 8 ounces! Once the leaves begin to turn, my attention turns to fly fishing for steelhead, as well as deer hunting.

My profile photo was taken at base camp on the Kahiltna Glacier in Denali National Park in south-central Alaska. It is here that climbers acclimate as they prepare to ascend the 20,310-foot peak of Denali.  

Education:

  • M.S. Zoology, Iowa State University
  • B.S. Biology, Loras College

Publications:

  • Ratterman, RJ. "The Use of Student Presentations as Supplemental Instructional Tools." US-Russia Joint Conference on Education, The Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 1994.
  • Ratterman, RJ and RA Ackerman. "The Water Exchange and Hydric Microclimate of Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) Eggs Incubating in Field Nests." Physiological Zoology 62 (5), 1989: 1059-1079.
  • Ratterman, RJ and RA Ackerman. "The Environment of Water Exchange of Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) Eggs during Natural Incubation." 99th Session of the Iowa Academy of Science. Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa. 1987.
  • Ratterman, RJ and RA Ackerman. "The Influence of Environmental Factors on the Development of Naturally-Incubating Eggs of the Chrysemys picta." American Society of Zoologists Annual Meeting. Nashville, Tennessee. 1986.
  • Ratterman, RJ and RA Ackerman. "The Exchange and Environmental Fluctuations of Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) Eggs during Natural Incubation." 98th Session of the Iowa Academy of Science. Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa. 1986.

Awards:

  • SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2018
  • President’s Award, Jamestown Community College, 2018