Susan Pagano Headshot

Susan Pagano

Associate Professor

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science
Associate Head, Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences

585-475-7343
Office Location
Office Mailing Address
10-A190

Susan Pagano

Associate Professor

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science
Associate Head, Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences

Education

BS, State University College at Oswego; MS, State University College at Brockport; Ph.D., University of Rhode Island

Bio

Dr. Susan Smith Pagano is an Associate Professor of Biology at Rochester Institute for Technology. She teaches in the Biology and Environmental Science programs in the School of Life Sciences and has developed elective courses in Comparative Animal Physiology, Ornithology, and Animal Nutrition. Dr. Pagano is a physiological ecologist who studies the dynamic relationships between fuel utilization, physiological condition and diet quality in migrating songbirds at stopover sites, with expertise in the application of plasma metabolite profiling in birds as a field technique. Her research initiatives also include nutritional ecology with a focus on the nutritional and biochemical differences among native and invasive wild fruits, and physiological implications for birds that consume them. Recent work has focused on an assessment of refueling physiology and diet in Catharus thrushes migrating through the Braddock Bay area, and outcomes of the work inform habitat management and conservation. She is a Teacher-Scholar and has mentored about 50 undergraduate research students at RIT, in addition to several graduate students, many of whom are from traditionally under-represented groups in STEM fields. Dr. Pagano is a Research Associate affiliated with the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory and is on their Board of Directors. She is actively involved in professional service and is an elected Fellow of the American Ornithological Society.

585-475-7343

Personal Links
Areas of Expertise

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Hendricks, Paul A. and Susan Smith Pagano. "Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) harvesting and caching fruits of Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)." Canadian Field-Naturalist. (2023): Accepted 03-17-23. Web.
Pagano, Susan Smith, et al. "Patterns in the physiological condition of three species of thrushes during autumn stopover near the south shore of Lake Ontario." The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 135. 2 (2023): 210-223. Print.
Pagano, Todd, et al. "Accessibility in undergraduate research experiences: a novel CURE." Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research 4. 3 (2021): 61-62. Print.
Williams, Heather M., Katharina Dittmar, and Susan Smith Pagano. "A Parasite Reduction Conservation Intervention does not Improve Fledging Success or Most Condition Metrics for Purple Martins." Condor: Ornithological Applications 122. (2020): 1-14. Print.
Seewagen, Chad L., Eric J. Slayton, and Susan Smith Pagano. "Physiological Indicators of Habitat Quality for a Migratory Songbird Breeding in Forest Invaded by the Alien Shrub, Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)." Conservation Physiology 8. (2020): 1-12. Web.
Cullen, Anthony C., et al. "All in the Timing: How Fruit Nutritional Content Influences the Timing of Fruit Consumption of Two Invasive Shrubs." Plant Ecology 221. (2020): 951-963. Print.
Ross, Annemarie D., et al. "Assessment of Climate Science Knowledge and Perceptions of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students." Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities 22. 1 (2019): article 8. Web.
Hoh, Christina, Susan Smith Pagano, and Christopher J. Norment. "Spatial Variation in White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) Refueling Rate Near a Migratory Barrier." Wilson Journal of Ornithology 130. (2018): 891-901. Print.
Win, Shwe Sin, et al. "Anaerobic Digestion of Black Solider Fly Larvae (BSFL) Biomass as Part of an Integrated Biorefinery." Renewable Energy 127. (2018): 705-712. Print.
Oberkircher, Meghan C. and Susan Smith Pagano. "Seasonal Variation in Chronic Stress and Energetic Condition in Gray Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis) and Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia)." Auk:Ornithological Advances 135. (2017): 83-90. Web.
Smith, Susan B., et al. "Chemical and Biological Research with Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Students: Ensuring a Safe and Successful Laboratory Environment." Journal of Chemical Health and Safety 23. (2016): 24-31. Print.
Pagano, Todd, et al. "Exploring Nutmeg’s Intriguing Place in History using Narrative and Project-based Approaches in the Science Laboratory." Journal of Laboratory Chemical Education 4. 1 (2016): 9-18. Web.
Pagano, Todd, et al. "Determination of Nicotine Content and Delivery in Disposable Electronic Cigarettes Available in the USA by Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry." Nicotine and Tobacco Research 18. 5 (2016): 700-707. Print.
Seewagen, Chad, Michale Glennon, and Susan B. Smith. "Does Exurban Housing Development Affect the Physiological Condition of Forest-Breeding Songbirds? A Case Study of Ovenbirds (Seiurus Aurocapillus) In the Largest Protected Area in the Contiguous United States." Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. July/August (2015): 1-. Print.
Pagano, Todd, et al. "Exploring Nutmeg’s Intriguing Place in History using Narrative and Project-Based Approaches in the Science Laboratory." Journal of Laboratory Chemical Education 4. 1 (2016): 9-18. Web.
Smith, Susan B., et al. "Local site variation in stopover physiology of migrating songbirds near the south shore of Lake Ontario is linked to fruit availability and quality." Conservation Physiology 3. 1 (2015): cov36. Web.
Pagano, Todd, Annemarie D. Ross, and Susan B. Smith. "Undergraduate research involving deaf and hard-of-hearing students in interdisciplinary science projects." Education Sciences 5. 2 (2015): 146-165. Web.
Smith, Susan B., Annemarie D. Ross, and Todd Pagano. "Chemical and biological research with deaf and hard-of-hearing students: ensuring a safe and successful laboratory environment." Journal of Chemical Health and Safety 23. 1 (2016): 24-31. Web.
Smith, Susan B., Samantha A. DeSando, and Todd Pagano. "Value of Native and Invasive Fruit-bearing Shrubs for Migrating Songbirds." Northeastern Naturalist 20. 1 (2013): 171-184. Print.
Smith, Susan B. "A Physiological Assessment of Seasonal Differences in Spring and Autumn Migration Stopover at Braddock Bay, Lake Ontario." Condor 115. 2 (2013): 273-279. Print.
Smith, Susan B. and Peter W.C. Paton. "Long-Term Shifts in Autumn Migration by Songbirds at a Coastal Eastern North American Stopover Site." The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 123. 3 (2011): 557-566. Print.
Peer Reviewed/Juried Poster Presentation or Conference Paper
Orfanides, Gabriella, Andrea Patterson, and Susan Smith Pagano. "Characterizing stopover behavior, physiological condition, and haemosporidian infection status of Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) at a Lake Ontario stopover site." Proceedings of the AFO 100 Years: Association of Field Ornithologists Annual Conference. Ed. Association of Field Ornithologists. Plymouth, MA: Association of Field Ornithologists.
Pagano, Susan Smith, Gabriella Orfanides, and Andrea Patterson. "Spring migration stopover patterns in Canada Warblers (Cardellina canadensis) at a northern lakeshore site." Proceedings of the AFO 100 Years: Association of Field Ornithologists Annual Conference. Ed. Association of Field Ornithologists. Plymouth, MA: Association of Field Ornithologists.
Walter, Lauren and Susan Smith Pagano. "A preliminary study of avian window strikes on the RIT campus." Proceedings of the Rochester Academy of Science Fall Scientific Paper Session. Ed. Rochester Academy of Science. Rochester, NY: Rochester Academy of Science.
Hoh, Rachael, et al. "Physiological condition of passerines during fall and spring migration near Lake Ontario." Proceedings of the Rochester Academy of Science Fall Scientific Paper Session. Ed. Rochester Academy of Science. Rochester, NY: Rochester Academy of Science.
Orfanides, Gabriella, et al. "Using radio-telemetry to assess stopover patterns of two songbird species at a Lake Ontario stopover site." Proceedings of the Rochester Academy of Science Fall Scientific Paper Session. Ed. Rochester Academy of Science. Rochester, NY: Rochester Academy of Science.
Bros, Alexandra, Rachael Hoh, and Susan S. Pagano. "Physiological condition of migrating thrushes at a Great Lakes stopover site." Proceedings of the 139th annual Meeting of the American Ornithological Society and Society of Canadian Ornithologists. Ed. AOS. Virtual, Virtual: n.p..
Loi, Cynthia, et al. "Nutrition of non-native fruits for migratory songbirds in the Northeastern U.S." Proceedings of the 139th annual Meeting of the American Ornithological Society and Society of Canadian Ornithologists. Ed. AOS. Virtual, Virtual: n.p..
Bros, Alexandra and Susan S. Pagano. "Energetic condition and refueling in two species of thrushes at a fall stopover site on Lake Ontario." Proceedings of the Joint Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society, Association of Field Ornithologists, and the Northeast Natural History Conference. Ed. NENHC. Virtual, Virtual: n.p..
Loi, Cynthia, et al. "Nutritional quality of native and non-native fruits for migratory songbirds." Proceedings of the Joint Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society, Association of Field Ornithologists, and the Northeast Natural History Conference. Ed. NENHC. Virtual, Virtual: n.p..
Hoh, Rachael, et al. "Physiological condition of passerines during fall migration stopover near Lake Ontario." Proceedings of the Joint Meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society, Association of Field Ornithologists, and the Northeast Natural History Conference. Ed. NENHC. Virtual, Virtual: n.p..
Journal Editor
Pagano, Susan Smith, ed. Northeastern Naturalist. Steuben. ME: Eagle Hill Institute, 2020. Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Pagano, Susan Smith, et al. "Are Invasive Fruits Nutritional Traps for Birds? A Synthesis of Patterns in the Northeastern U.S." North American Ornithological Conference VII. NAOC. Virtual, Virtual. 13 Aug. 2020. Conference Presentation.
Pagano, Susan Smith. "Native Fruiting Plants for Migratory Bird Nutrition." Turning a New Leaf Conference. Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council. Harrisburg, PA. 6 Dec. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Pagano, Susan Smith. "Native Berries for Migratory Birds: A Nutritional Perspective." Cullowhee Native Plant Conference. Western Carolina University. Cullowhee, NC. 18 Jul. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Pagano, Susan Smith. "Native Plants and Migratory Birds: A ‘Fruit-full’ Pairing." GardenWise. Penn State Extension. York, PA. 9 Mar. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Pagano, Susan Smith, Annemarie D. Ross, and Todd Pagano. "Integrating Biology and Chemistry in an Outdoor Ornithology Learning Environment." 137th Annual Meeting of the American Ornithological Society. American Ornithological Society. Anchorage, AK. 27 Jun. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Pagano, Susan Smith, et al. "Exploring the Physiological Condition of Migratory Songbirds Near Lake Ontario: New Insights from Gut Microbiota." 137th Annual Meeting of the American Ornithological Society. American Ornithological Society. Anchorage, AK. 26 Jun. 2019. Conference Presentation.
Pagano, Susan Smith. "Native Berries for Migratory Birds." Native Plants in the Landscape Conference. Bowman's Hill Wildlife Preserve. Millersville, PA. 8 Jun. 2018. Keynote Speech.
Pagano, Susan Smith and Calvin Carrington. "Stopover Physiology of Migratory Songbirds Near the South Shore of Lake Ontario." International Ornithological Congress 2018. IOC. Vancouver, BC, Canada. 21 Aug. 2018. Conference Presentation.
Pagano, Susan Smith. "Can Invasive Fruits be Nutritional Traps." Northeast Natural History Conference. Eagle Hill Institute. Burlington, VT. 14 Apr. 2018. Conference Presentation.

Currently Teaching

BIOL-212
3 Credits
This course provides a synthesis of the ecological, behavioral, anatomical, and physiological characteristics of vertebrates in an evolutionary context.
BIOL-295
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their first three years of study.
BIOL-298
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their first three years of study.
BIOL-301
1 - 4 Credits
This course allows students to assist in a class or laboratory for which they have previously earned credit. The student will assist the instructor in the operation of the course. Assistance by the student may include fielding questions, helping in workshops, and assisting in review sessions. In the case of labs, students may also be asked to help with supervising safety practices, waste manifestation, and instrumentation.
BIOL-313
4 Credits
This course is a comparative study of fundamental physiological mechanisms. It covers a broad range of organisms studied from the standpoint of evolution of functional systems, the mechanisms and morphological variations that exist to deal with functional problems posed by the environment, and the special mechanisms used to cope with extreme environments.
BIOL-444
3 Credits
This course will cover the major principles in ornithology from evolutionary origins to the study of physiology, flight, behavior, life history traits and conservation. Exploration of current topics in avian biology and exploration of bird diversity will be key features of the lecture and lab. Labs will introduce current techniques in applied avian research and monitoring in both the field and lab.
BIOL-495
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory or field work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
BIOL-498
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their final two years of study.
BIOL-599
3 Credits
This course is intended for students with significant research experience to work closely with their faculty mentors to prepare a manuscript for publication or write a proposal for external funding. Students will devote significant time to writing, revision and peer review. A submission-quality manuscript or proposal is expected at the end of the semester.
BIOL-798
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed, graduate level tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum.
ENVS-289
1 - 4 Credits
This is an intermediate course on a topic that is not part of the formal curriculum. This course is structured as an ordinary course and has specific prerequisites, contact hours, and examination procedures.
ENVS-298
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their first three years of study.
ENVS-495
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory or field work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
ENVS-780
1 - 6 Credits
This course will result in an Environmental Science project accomplished by the MS student for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the project advisor. Credit 1-6
ENVS-790
1 - 4 Credits
The thesis option will be available to environmental science graduate students only with prior written approval of program faculty. Students will submit a proposal to a faculty member who agrees to serve as the student's thesis committee chair. The proposal will describe the basic research question to be investigated and the experimental protocols to be employed. Proposals will be reviewed by the program faculty who will give permission to register for thesis credit. This course may be taken several times over the course of a student's graduate program, for variable credits. A written thesis and oral defense are required at the completion of the thesis research.
ENVS-791
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis
ENVS-795
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a graduate level, faculty-directed, student project or research involving laboratory or field work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in Environmental Science graduate program.
ENVS-798
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in the Environmental Science graduate program.

In the News

  • February 2, 2024

    college student watching professor looking at a stack of wood lengthwise.

    Students lean into technology and design to improve the environment

    Students in Campus Ecology explored how culture, art, science, and design influence their views and understandings of nature. They also discussed how interdisciplinary collaboration and leaning into the intersection of technology, the arts, and design could improve communication and understanding of ecological concepts and sustainability goals.

Featured Work