Lab Members
I am always interested in working with exceptional students and researchers. I will periodically have funding available for graduate students, post-docs, or research associates, and when I do I will typically advertise those positions on the Texas A&M job board. In the mean time, if you are interested in the work we do in my lab and would like to get involved, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Current Lab Members
Derek Arnold, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Alaska Fairbanks (starting Spring 2024)
Derek will be assisting with a variety of analytical applications in the lab, primarily focusing on extending the application of spatially-explicit capture-recapture models for use with social species such as wolves.
Sarah Swanson, Ph.D. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks (starting Spring 2024)
Sam will be working with the National Park Service and the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to investigate population genetics of cyclic small mammal populations in Denali National Park.
Sam Simon, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks (starting Spring 2024)
Sam will be working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management to evaluate habitat factors affecting surfbirds on the Steese National Conservation Area.
Tabitha Page, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks (Co-advised with Nina Hansen)
Tabitha is another California native in the lab. She is investigating disease dynamics of small mammals in Alaska and how prevalence rates are affected by human activity.
Kayleigh McCarthy, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Kayleigh is investigating the effects of human visitation on bear behavior and activity at the Anan Observatory near Wrangell, AK. She occasionally let's her upper-midwest (Michigan!) roots show with a "you betcha", but I'm still waiting for her to say "oofda".
Tony Zambito, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tony is working on Prince of Wales Island to evaluate density-estimation approaches and predator-prey dynamics for black-tailed deer. Tony migrated to Alaska from Oregon and has worked on everything from mule deer to bats before deciding to dive-in to the deep end of remote cameras and the joys of bushwhacking through devil's club.
Sarah Trujillo, Ph.D. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sarah will be studying monitoring approaches and community dynamics on Prince of Wales Island.
Miles Spathelf, Ph.D. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Miles works as the GIS Analyst for the Wildlife Habitat Enhancement & Spatial Analysis Program at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and is exploring ungulate migration corridors for his graduate work. When he isn't busy mapping out where the various ungulates of Alaska are hanging out Miles dabbles in data management issues, the thorn in the side of all biologists!
Sara Germain, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sara is a graduate student at UAF and an Assistant Area Biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Nome, AK who is investigating moose population dynamics in the Seward Peninsula in western Alaska. Sara originally hails from New York, but we try not to hold that against her. Sara is a big fan of musk ox hunting and visiting Fairbanks to get an occasional dosage of civilization.
Jeff Wells, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Jeff is a graduate student at UAF and an Assistant Area Biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Tok, AK who is investigating wolf-caribou movements and spatial ecology in the Fortymile caribou herd. Jeff received his undergraduate degree from UAF and, like so many Alaskans, is actually a transplant from the midwest. Jeff likes to spend his spare time with his two daughters doing all the outdoor activities that make Alaska fun.
Former Lab Members
Jennifer Merems, Ph.D. (2023), University of Wisconsin (Co-advised w/ Tim Van Deelen)
Jennifer received her Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she is explored the impacts of wolves on elk space-use and population dynamics. Despite growing up in the deserts of Arizona she decided that the cold of the upper midwest was where she wanted to finish her academic career. Jennifer received her B.S. from the University of Arizona and her M.S. from the University of Idaho. When she isn't busy investigating predator-prey dynamics she enjoys being a big-time introvert and spending time with her dog, Luna. She is now a science communicator for the UW Medical School.
Sebastian Zavoico, M.S. (2022), University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sebastian was a graduate student at UAF who investigated the dynamics of shrub expansion and moose populations in Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Sebastian has lived, studied, and worked internationally and brings a much needed broad perspective to the lab. Sebastian is an off-the-radar dog musher who likes to spend his spare time on the water or in the woods, but mostly on the water. Sebastian is now a Ph.D. student at UAF who is investigating expanding beaver populations in the Arctic.
Janelle Taylor, M.S. (2020), UW-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Janelle was a graduate student at UWSP who investigated the spatial ecology of beavers in Wisconsin. Prior to this she was an undergraduate student at UW-Stevens Point who worked on habitat use patterns of river otters. Janelle was awarded the prestigious Douglas Stephens fellowship and was nominated for the Shikar Safari Club scholarship. Janelle is a closet nerd with a passion for Tolkein and good music, the kind that has guitar solos. Janelle received her B.S. in spring 2018 and will get her M.S. degree in summer 2020. Janelle is currently a Ph.D. Student at UW Madison.
Jeff Stetz, Post-doc (2018), UW-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Jeff was a post-doc who was working with the USGS on a multi-year study of seabird distribution on Lake Michigan in response to concerns regarding avian botulism outbreaks and migratory seabird habitat selection. Jeff likes hockey, beer, and ice fishing, not necessarily in that order. Jeff is currently a regional research coordinator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Palmer, AK
Christi Heun, M.S. (2019), UW-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Christi was a Master's student at UW-Stevens Point who investigated alternative monitoring approaches for river otter in Wisconsin. She used a combination of remote cameras and repeated bridge-site surveys to determine the most accurate and cost-effective means of monitoring river otters. Christi enjoys getting eaten alive by biting flies in the field and, for some crazy reason, really likes her cat Remy. Christi is currently a Senior Representative for Defenders of Wildlife.
Kara White, M.S. (2019), UW-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Kara, who was co-advised by Dr. Robert Lonsinger, was a Master's student at UW-Stevens Point who is investigated the spatial ecology of swift foxes occurring on private lands in western Kansas. Her study site represented one of the primary black-footed ferret recovery areas on private property. She used a combination of GPS collars and remote cameras to assess resource selection and species interactions. Kara is currently a Ph.D. student at South Dakota State University.
Lucas Olson, M.S. (2018), UW-Madison, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Lucas, who was co-advised by Tim Van Deelen and myself, was a Master's student at UW-Madison who investigated the effects of wolves and habitat conditions on ungulates in northern Wisconsin. Using a combination of radio telemetry data and public observations he was able to assess moose population status in the state and model the effects of weather conditions on the spatial dynamics of wolf predation on white-tailed deer. Despite being from Wisconsin Lucas is a Minnesota Vikings fan who would happy to spend every second of the day hunting or fishing. Lucas is currently a research biologist with the Mule Deer Foundation in Laramie, Wyoming.
Bryn Evans, M.S. (2017), UW-Madison, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Bryn, who was co-advised by Tim Van Deelen and myself, was a Master's student at UW-Madison who investigated the effects of restoration and remediation efforts in the St. Louis River estuary on aquatic furbearer populations. Using a combination of remote cameras and aerial surveys, she compared occupancy and relative density patterns of river otter, beaver, mink, and muskrat in the estuary to those at Boulder Lake Reservoir and the St. Croix River. Bryn is a California hippie at heart, as she loves rock climbing and capoeira. Bryn is currently a freelance instructor and biologist in California.
Collaborators
Kristin Denryter, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Jim Herriges, Bureau of Land Management
Kyle Joly, National Park Service
Rick Lanctot, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Phil Manlick, USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station
Gretchen Roffler, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Jeff Stetz, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
I am always interested in working with exceptional students and researchers. I will periodically have funding available for graduate students, post-docs, or research associates, and when I do I will typically advertise those positions on the Texas A&M job board. In the mean time, if you are interested in the work we do in my lab and would like to get involved, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Current Lab Members
Derek Arnold, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Alaska Fairbanks (starting Spring 2024)
Derek will be assisting with a variety of analytical applications in the lab, primarily focusing on extending the application of spatially-explicit capture-recapture models for use with social species such as wolves.
Sarah Swanson, Ph.D. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks (starting Spring 2024)
Sam will be working with the National Park Service and the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to investigate population genetics of cyclic small mammal populations in Denali National Park.
Sam Simon, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks (starting Spring 2024)
Sam will be working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management to evaluate habitat factors affecting surfbirds on the Steese National Conservation Area.
Tabitha Page, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks (Co-advised with Nina Hansen)
Tabitha is another California native in the lab. She is investigating disease dynamics of small mammals in Alaska and how prevalence rates are affected by human activity.
Kayleigh McCarthy, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Kayleigh is investigating the effects of human visitation on bear behavior and activity at the Anan Observatory near Wrangell, AK. She occasionally let's her upper-midwest (Michigan!) roots show with a "you betcha", but I'm still waiting for her to say "oofda".
Tony Zambito, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tony is working on Prince of Wales Island to evaluate density-estimation approaches and predator-prey dynamics for black-tailed deer. Tony migrated to Alaska from Oregon and has worked on everything from mule deer to bats before deciding to dive-in to the deep end of remote cameras and the joys of bushwhacking through devil's club.
Sarah Trujillo, Ph.D. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sarah will be studying monitoring approaches and community dynamics on Prince of Wales Island.
Miles Spathelf, Ph.D. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Miles works as the GIS Analyst for the Wildlife Habitat Enhancement & Spatial Analysis Program at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and is exploring ungulate migration corridors for his graduate work. When he isn't busy mapping out where the various ungulates of Alaska are hanging out Miles dabbles in data management issues, the thorn in the side of all biologists!
Sara Germain, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sara is a graduate student at UAF and an Assistant Area Biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Nome, AK who is investigating moose population dynamics in the Seward Peninsula in western Alaska. Sara originally hails from New York, but we try not to hold that against her. Sara is a big fan of musk ox hunting and visiting Fairbanks to get an occasional dosage of civilization.
Jeff Wells, M.S. Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Jeff is a graduate student at UAF and an Assistant Area Biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Tok, AK who is investigating wolf-caribou movements and spatial ecology in the Fortymile caribou herd. Jeff received his undergraduate degree from UAF and, like so many Alaskans, is actually a transplant from the midwest. Jeff likes to spend his spare time with his two daughters doing all the outdoor activities that make Alaska fun.
Former Lab Members
Jennifer Merems, Ph.D. (2023), University of Wisconsin (Co-advised w/ Tim Van Deelen)
Jennifer received her Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she is explored the impacts of wolves on elk space-use and population dynamics. Despite growing up in the deserts of Arizona she decided that the cold of the upper midwest was where she wanted to finish her academic career. Jennifer received her B.S. from the University of Arizona and her M.S. from the University of Idaho. When she isn't busy investigating predator-prey dynamics she enjoys being a big-time introvert and spending time with her dog, Luna. She is now a science communicator for the UW Medical School.
Sebastian Zavoico, M.S. (2022), University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sebastian was a graduate student at UAF who investigated the dynamics of shrub expansion and moose populations in Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Sebastian has lived, studied, and worked internationally and brings a much needed broad perspective to the lab. Sebastian is an off-the-radar dog musher who likes to spend his spare time on the water or in the woods, but mostly on the water. Sebastian is now a Ph.D. student at UAF who is investigating expanding beaver populations in the Arctic.
Janelle Taylor, M.S. (2020), UW-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Janelle was a graduate student at UWSP who investigated the spatial ecology of beavers in Wisconsin. Prior to this she was an undergraduate student at UW-Stevens Point who worked on habitat use patterns of river otters. Janelle was awarded the prestigious Douglas Stephens fellowship and was nominated for the Shikar Safari Club scholarship. Janelle is a closet nerd with a passion for Tolkein and good music, the kind that has guitar solos. Janelle received her B.S. in spring 2018 and will get her M.S. degree in summer 2020. Janelle is currently a Ph.D. Student at UW Madison.
Jeff Stetz, Post-doc (2018), UW-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Jeff was a post-doc who was working with the USGS on a multi-year study of seabird distribution on Lake Michigan in response to concerns regarding avian botulism outbreaks and migratory seabird habitat selection. Jeff likes hockey, beer, and ice fishing, not necessarily in that order. Jeff is currently a regional research coordinator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Palmer, AK
Christi Heun, M.S. (2019), UW-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Christi was a Master's student at UW-Stevens Point who investigated alternative monitoring approaches for river otter in Wisconsin. She used a combination of remote cameras and repeated bridge-site surveys to determine the most accurate and cost-effective means of monitoring river otters. Christi enjoys getting eaten alive by biting flies in the field and, for some crazy reason, really likes her cat Remy. Christi is currently a Senior Representative for Defenders of Wildlife.
Kara White, M.S. (2019), UW-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Kara, who was co-advised by Dr. Robert Lonsinger, was a Master's student at UW-Stevens Point who is investigated the spatial ecology of swift foxes occurring on private lands in western Kansas. Her study site represented one of the primary black-footed ferret recovery areas on private property. She used a combination of GPS collars and remote cameras to assess resource selection and species interactions. Kara is currently a Ph.D. student at South Dakota State University.
Lucas Olson, M.S. (2018), UW-Madison, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Lucas, who was co-advised by Tim Van Deelen and myself, was a Master's student at UW-Madison who investigated the effects of wolves and habitat conditions on ungulates in northern Wisconsin. Using a combination of radio telemetry data and public observations he was able to assess moose population status in the state and model the effects of weather conditions on the spatial dynamics of wolf predation on white-tailed deer. Despite being from Wisconsin Lucas is a Minnesota Vikings fan who would happy to spend every second of the day hunting or fishing. Lucas is currently a research biologist with the Mule Deer Foundation in Laramie, Wyoming.
Bryn Evans, M.S. (2017), UW-Madison, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
Bryn, who was co-advised by Tim Van Deelen and myself, was a Master's student at UW-Madison who investigated the effects of restoration and remediation efforts in the St. Louis River estuary on aquatic furbearer populations. Using a combination of remote cameras and aerial surveys, she compared occupancy and relative density patterns of river otter, beaver, mink, and muskrat in the estuary to those at Boulder Lake Reservoir and the St. Croix River. Bryn is a California hippie at heart, as she loves rock climbing and capoeira. Bryn is currently a freelance instructor and biologist in California.
Collaborators
Kristin Denryter, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Jim Herriges, Bureau of Land Management
Kyle Joly, National Park Service
Rick Lanctot, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Phil Manlick, USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station
Gretchen Roffler, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Jeff Stetz, Alaska Department of Fish and Game