Jonathan is a research biologist with the Eastern Ecological Science Center (EESC) of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Jonathan's research interests primarily focus on studies related to wildlife health and disease ecology, threatened and endangered species conservation, and the use of decision science to navigate complex decision problems. Most recently, he has focused on developing risk assessments for SARS-CoV-2 spillover to North American wildlife, and on management decision-making surrounding CWD spread in various cervid species.
Professional Experience
Jonathan has held research positions focused on field and laboratory work in diverse settings, including aquatic (freshwater, estuarine, marine) and terrestrial systems.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Fisheries and Wildlife
Master’s degree in Ecology from the University of California – Davis
Jonathan has a B.S. in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology
Science and Products
Disease Decision Analysis and Research
COVID-19 Pathways and Wildlife Dynamics
Decision Science Support for SARS-CoV-2 Risk to North American Bats
Decision science support for Chronic Wasting Disease
Evaluating management alternatives for Wyoming elk feedgrounds in consideration of chronic wasting disease
Decision making for Centennial Valley Arctic Grayling conservation on Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Evaluating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to bats in the context of wildlife research, rehabilitation, and control
Decision-Support Tool to Estimate SARS-CoV-2 Human-to-bat Transmission Risk
This application is designed to evaluate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from humans to North American bats during winter field work and specifically surveys of winter roosts and hibernacula for white-nose syndrome.
Decision-Support Tool to Estimate SARS-CoV-2 Human-to-bat Transmission Risk
Science and Products
- Science
Disease Decision Analysis and Research
The Disease Decision Analysis and Research group is a multi-disciplinary team based out of the Eastern Ecological Science Center whose strengths are in ecology, decision sciences and quantitative modeling.COVID-19 Pathways and Wildlife Dynamics
Below are the USGS 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) research projects related to COVID-19 pathways and wildlife dynamics. Select tabs above for related items.Decision Science Support for SARS-CoV-2 Risk to North American Bats
The Eastern Ecological Science Center is working closely with federal, state, and tribal partners to help inform decisions that reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from humans to North American wildlife, including bats.Decision science support for Chronic Wasting Disease
Eastern Ecological Science Center adds the decision analytical skill set to the existing body of USGS expertise on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), in support of our sister DOI agencies. - Publications
Evaluating management alternatives for Wyoming elk feedgrounds in consideration of chronic wasting disease
Executive SummaryThe authors used decision and modeling analyses to evaluate management alternatives for a decision on whether to permit Cervus canadensis (elk) feeding on two sites on Bridger-Teton National Forest, Dell Creek and Forest Park. Supplemental feeding of elk could increase the transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) locally and disease spread regionally, potentially impacting elAuthorsJonathan D. Cook, Paul C. Cross, Emily M. Tomaszewski, Eric K. Cole, Evan H. Campbell Grant, James M. Wilder, Michael C. RungeDecision making for Centennial Valley Arctic Grayling conservation on Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge
This report describes a decision analysis process that was conducted in support of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Assessment on Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) on Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge in the Centennial Valley, Montana.AuthorsJonathan D. Cook, Kyle Flynn, Donovan A. Bell, Matthew E. Jaeger, Jeff Warren, Ryan Kreiner, Jarrett Payne, Jaron Andrews, Andrew Brummond, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Sarah Nelson SellsEvaluating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to bats in the context of wildlife research, rehabilitation, and control
Preventing wildlife disease outbreaks is a priority for natural resource agencies, and management decisions can be urgent, especially in epidemic circumstances. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, wildlife agencies were concerned whether the activities they authorize might increase the risk of viral transmission from humans to North American bats, but had a limited amount of time in which to make deAuthorsJonathan D. Cook, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Jeremy T. H. Coleman, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Michael C. Runge - Web Tools
Decision-Support Tool to Estimate SARS-CoV-2 Human-to-bat Transmission Risk
This application is designed to evaluate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from humans to North American bats during winter field work and specifically surveys of winter roosts and hibernacula for white-nose syndrome.
- Software
Decision-Support Tool to Estimate SARS-CoV-2 Human-to-bat Transmission Risk
Source code to run Shiny app of North American bat SARS2 risk model during winter fieldwork - News