Daniel P. Walsh, PhD
Assistant Unit Leader - Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
Daniel joined the Montana Unit in 2022. Daniel worked as a Disease Researcher with Colorado Division of Wildlife and as a Quantitative Ecologist at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center before joining the Montana Unit in 2022. He conducts applied research that develops and applies novel quantitative approaches in conjunction with field research to improve the health of wildlife populations. His research interests are broad, and he has worked on a wide array of taxonomic groups and wildlife health issues including chronic wasting disease, bighorn sheep respiratory disease, avian influenza, white nose syndrome, New Castle disease, among others. One focus of his current research is leveraging systems modeling to inform decision-making and applying scientific principles to the implementation of management efforts to improve the likelihood of desired outcomes. Additionally, Dr. Walsh has helped develop national surveillance strategies for avian influenza and white nose syndrome and has conducted extensive work with the World Animal Health Organisation and others to build wildlife health capacity globally. Dr. Walsh will teach courses in statistical methods for population dynamics and wildlife health modeling.
Daniel received graduate degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife and Statistics from Michigan State University and Colorado State University. He worked as a Disease Researcher with Colorado Division of Wildlife and as a Quantitative Ecologist at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.
Professional Experience
2011 – Present Quantitative Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison WI
2007 – 2011 Disease Researcher, Colorado Division of Wildlife
2003 – 2007 Research Assistant-Michigan State University
2000 – 2002 Research Assistant-Colorado State University
Education and Certifications
Ph. D. Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 2007
M. S. Statistics Michigan State University, 2007
M. S. Fish and Wildlife Biology, Colorado State University, 2002
B. S. Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 1999
Affiliations and Memberships*
Honorary Fellow, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Affiliate Faculty, South Dakota State University
Member of the Wildlife Disease Association
Member of the Wildlife Society
Member of the North Central Section of the Wildlife Society
Member of Wisconsin Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Science and Products
Applying a Bayesian weighted surveillance approach to detect chronic wasting disease in white‐tailed deer
Factors influencing elk recruitment across ecotypes in the Western United States
Chronic wasting disease—Status, science, and management support by the U.S. Geological Survey
Using expert knowledge to incorporate uncertainty in cause-of-death assignments for modeling of cause-specific mortality
Semi-quantitative assessment of disease risks at the human, livestock, wildlife interface for the Republic of Korea using a nationwide survey of experts: A model for other countries
A dynamic spatio-temporal model for spatial data
When mechanism matters: Bayesian forecasting using models of ecological diffusion
The Bayesian group lasso for confounded spatial data
A framework for modeling emerging diseases to inform management
When can the cause of a population decline be determined?
No evidence of infection or exposure to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenzas in peridomestic wildlife on an affected poultry facility
U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020)
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Applying a Bayesian weighted surveillance approach to detect chronic wasting disease in white‐tailed deer
Factors influencing elk recruitment across ecotypes in the Western United States
Chronic wasting disease—Status, science, and management support by the U.S. Geological Survey
Using expert knowledge to incorporate uncertainty in cause-of-death assignments for modeling of cause-specific mortality
Semi-quantitative assessment of disease risks at the human, livestock, wildlife interface for the Republic of Korea using a nationwide survey of experts: A model for other countries
A dynamic spatio-temporal model for spatial data
When mechanism matters: Bayesian forecasting using models of ecological diffusion
The Bayesian group lasso for confounded spatial data
A framework for modeling emerging diseases to inform management
When can the cause of a population decline be determined?
No evidence of infection or exposure to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenzas in peridomestic wildlife on an affected poultry facility
U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020)
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government