Jonathan Cook, Ph.D.
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, species conservation, and the use of decision science to navigate complex decision problems. Most recently, he has focused on providing decision support to state, federal, and tribal decision makers related to the management of wildlife diseases.
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
Honors and Awards
2025 Non-monetary USGS center award. Eastern Ecological Science Center. For supporting U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the management of injurious wildlife species.
2023 Department of Interior STAR Award (Individual award). For supporting U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in conservation actions for Arctic Grayling on Red Rocks Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Montan
2023 Department of Interior STAR Award (Group award with Michael Runge, Evan Grant, and Jaime Ashander). For serving as the Science Lead on Tick-borne Disease management in the Northeastern Unit
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 26
Estimating the social and economic consequences of proposed management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge Estimating the social and economic consequences of proposed management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge
The National Elk Refuge (Refuge) is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and includes habitats for bison and elk. Bison and elk provide opportunities for wildlife-related recreation and contribute to the tourism industry in and around Jackson, Wyoming. Over the last century, the Refuge has provisioned supplemental feed to elk and, more recently, bison during winter months to...
Authors
Margaret C. McEachran, Andrew Don Carlos, Gavin Cotterill, Eric Cole, Jonathan Cook
Bison population dynamics, harvest, and conflict potential under feedground management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming Bison population dynamics, harvest, and conflict potential under feedground management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming
Bison bison (bison) were once abundant across North America but declined due to overharvesting in the late 1800s. The reintroduced population in and around Jackson, Wyoming has averaged 485 individuals between 2018–2023 and is the subject of a planning process to inform management strategies that will guide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s next “Bison and Elk Management Plan” for the...
Authors
Jonathan Cook, Margaret C. McEachran, Gavin Cotterill, Eric Cole
Evaluating elk distribution and conflict under proposed management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming Evaluating elk distribution and conflict under proposed management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming
We evaluated measurable attributes describing the current and future distribution of Cervus elaphus canadensis (elk) across a region surrounding Jackson, Wyoming, for five feedground management alternatives proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a revision to the 2007 “Bison and Elk Management Plan” of the National Elk Refuge. A resource selection function evaluated measurable
Authors
Gavin Cotterill, Paul C. Cross, Eric Cole, Jonathan Cook, Margaret C. McEachran, Tabitha A. Graves
Decision analysis in support of the National Elk Refuge bison and elk management plan Decision analysis in support of the National Elk Refuge bison and elk management plan
Preface This report was developed to evaluate the performance of a set of proposed alternatives for Cervus elaphus canadensis (elk) and Bison bison (bison) management at the National Elk Refuge (NER) in Wyoming, U.S.A., and to inform a National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement focused on developing the next “Bison and Elk Management Plan” (BEMP). The U.S...
U.S. Geological Survey science strategy to address chronic wasting disease and cervid health in 2024–2028 U.S. Geological Survey science strategy to address chronic wasting disease and cervid health in 2024–2028
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a neurological disease similar to scrapie in goats and sheep, has been spreading since the 1960s throughout cervid populations in the United States. It is currently detected in 30 States and now also extends to Canada, Korea, and Scandinavia. CWD is a fatal disease caused by an infectious abnormally folded prion protein. Population-level effects of CWD on...
Authors
Jason Ferrante, Jonathan Cook, Paul C. Cross, M. Hopkins
Structured decision-making workshop: Chronic wasting disease management in free-ranging cervids in Massachusetts Structured decision-making workshop: Chronic wasting disease management in free-ranging cervids in Massachusetts
This document describes the results of a 2.5-day rapid decision prototype workshop that evaluated management activities for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Massachusetts (MA) that were either proactive (i.e., actions taken prior to CWD arrival/detection) or reactive (i.e., actions taken after CWD arrival/detection). The workshop was led by members of the Wildlife Section of the MA...
Authors
Martin J. R Feehan, Jonathan Cook, Margaret McEachran, Susan McCarthy, David Wattles, Meghan Crawford, Michael Huguenin, Graziella DiRenzo
One Health collaboration is more effective than single-sector actions at mitigating SARS-CoV-2 in deer One Health collaboration is more effective than single-sector actions at mitigating SARS-CoV-2 in deer
One Health aims to achieve optimal health outcomes for people, animals, plants, and shared environments. We describe a multisector effort to understand and mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk to humans via the spread among and between captive and wild white-tailed deer. We first framed a One Health problem with three governance sectors that manage captive deer, wild deer populations...
Authors
Jonathan Cook, Elias Rosenblatt, Graziella DiRenzo, Evan Campbell Grant, Brittany A. Mosher, Fernando Arce, Sonja Christensen, Ria Ghai, Michael Runge
Epidemiological modeling of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reveals conditions for introduction and widespread transmission Epidemiological modeling of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reveals conditions for introduction and widespread transmission
Emerging infectious diseases with zoonotic potential often have complex socioecological dynamics and limited ecological data, requiring integration of epidemiological modeling with surveillance. Although our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 has advanced considerably since its detection in late 2019, the factors influencing its introduction and transmission in wildlife hosts, particularly...
Authors
Elias Rosenblatt, Jonathan Cook, Graziella DiRenzo, Evan Campbell Grant, Fernando Arce, Kimberly Pepin, F. Rudolph, Michael Runge, Susan Shriner, Daniel Walsh, Brittany A. Mosher
Reframing wildlife disease management problems with decision analysis Reframing wildlife disease management problems with decision analysis
Contemporary wildlife disease management is complex because managers need to respond to a wide range of stakeholders, multiple uncertainties, and difficult trade-offs that characterize the interconnected challenges of today. Despite general acknowledgment of these complexities, managing wildlife disease tends to be framed as a scientific problem, in which the major challenge is lack of...
Authors
Margaret McEachran, Johanna Harvey, Riley Mummah, Molly Bletz, Claire S. Teitelbaum, Elias Rosenblatt, F. Rudolph, Fernando Arce, Shanglai Yin, Diann Prosser, Brittany A. Mosher, Jennifer Mullinax, Graziella DiRenzo, Jannelle Couret, Michael Runge, Evan Campbell Grant, Jonathan Cook
Evaluating management alternatives for Wyoming elk feedgrounds in consideration of chronic wasting disease Evaluating management alternatives for Wyoming elk feedgrounds in consideration of chronic wasting disease
Executive Summary The 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...
Authors
Jonathan Cook, Paul C. Cross, Emily Tomaszewski, Eric K. Cole, Evan Campbell Grant, James Wilder, Michael Runge
Bayesian forecasting of disease spread with little or no local data Bayesian forecasting of disease spread with little or no local data
Rapid and targeted management actions are a prerequisite to efficiently mitigate disease outbreaks. Targeted actions, however, require accurate spatial information on disease occurrence and spread. Frequently, targeted management actions are guided by non-statistical approaches that define the affected area by a pre-determined distance surrounding a small number of disease detections. As...
Authors
Jonathan D Cook, David Williams, Daniel Walsh, Trevor Hefley
Decision making for Centennial Valley Arctic Grayling conservation on Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge Decision 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.
Authors
Jonathan Cook, Kyle Flynn, Donovan Bell, Matthew Jaeger, Jeff Warren, Ryan Kreiner, Jarrett Payne, Jaron Andrews, Andrew Brummond, Evan Campbell Grant, Sarah Sells
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 26
Estimating the social and economic consequences of proposed management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge Estimating the social and economic consequences of proposed management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge
The National Elk Refuge (Refuge) is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and includes habitats for bison and elk. Bison and elk provide opportunities for wildlife-related recreation and contribute to the tourism industry in and around Jackson, Wyoming. Over the last century, the Refuge has provisioned supplemental feed to elk and, more recently, bison during winter months to...
Authors
Margaret C. McEachran, Andrew Don Carlos, Gavin Cotterill, Eric Cole, Jonathan Cook
Bison population dynamics, harvest, and conflict potential under feedground management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming Bison population dynamics, harvest, and conflict potential under feedground management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming
Bison bison (bison) were once abundant across North America but declined due to overharvesting in the late 1800s. The reintroduced population in and around Jackson, Wyoming has averaged 485 individuals between 2018–2023 and is the subject of a planning process to inform management strategies that will guide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s next “Bison and Elk Management Plan” for the...
Authors
Jonathan Cook, Margaret C. McEachran, Gavin Cotterill, Eric Cole
Evaluating elk distribution and conflict under proposed management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming Evaluating elk distribution and conflict under proposed management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming
We evaluated measurable attributes describing the current and future distribution of Cervus elaphus canadensis (elk) across a region surrounding Jackson, Wyoming, for five feedground management alternatives proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a revision to the 2007 “Bison and Elk Management Plan” of the National Elk Refuge. A resource selection function evaluated measurable
Authors
Gavin Cotterill, Paul C. Cross, Eric Cole, Jonathan Cook, Margaret C. McEachran, Tabitha A. Graves
Decision analysis in support of the National Elk Refuge bison and elk management plan Decision analysis in support of the National Elk Refuge bison and elk management plan
Preface This report was developed to evaluate the performance of a set of proposed alternatives for Cervus elaphus canadensis (elk) and Bison bison (bison) management at the National Elk Refuge (NER) in Wyoming, U.S.A., and to inform a National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement focused on developing the next “Bison and Elk Management Plan” (BEMP). The U.S...
U.S. Geological Survey science strategy to address chronic wasting disease and cervid health in 2024–2028 U.S. Geological Survey science strategy to address chronic wasting disease and cervid health in 2024–2028
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a neurological disease similar to scrapie in goats and sheep, has been spreading since the 1960s throughout cervid populations in the United States. It is currently detected in 30 States and now also extends to Canada, Korea, and Scandinavia. CWD is a fatal disease caused by an infectious abnormally folded prion protein. Population-level effects of CWD on...
Authors
Jason Ferrante, Jonathan Cook, Paul C. Cross, M. Hopkins
Structured decision-making workshop: Chronic wasting disease management in free-ranging cervids in Massachusetts Structured decision-making workshop: Chronic wasting disease management in free-ranging cervids in Massachusetts
This document describes the results of a 2.5-day rapid decision prototype workshop that evaluated management activities for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Massachusetts (MA) that were either proactive (i.e., actions taken prior to CWD arrival/detection) or reactive (i.e., actions taken after CWD arrival/detection). The workshop was led by members of the Wildlife Section of the MA...
Authors
Martin J. R Feehan, Jonathan Cook, Margaret McEachran, Susan McCarthy, David Wattles, Meghan Crawford, Michael Huguenin, Graziella DiRenzo
One Health collaboration is more effective than single-sector actions at mitigating SARS-CoV-2 in deer One Health collaboration is more effective than single-sector actions at mitigating SARS-CoV-2 in deer
One Health aims to achieve optimal health outcomes for people, animals, plants, and shared environments. We describe a multisector effort to understand and mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk to humans via the spread among and between captive and wild white-tailed deer. We first framed a One Health problem with three governance sectors that manage captive deer, wild deer populations...
Authors
Jonathan Cook, Elias Rosenblatt, Graziella DiRenzo, Evan Campbell Grant, Brittany A. Mosher, Fernando Arce, Sonja Christensen, Ria Ghai, Michael Runge
Epidemiological modeling of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reveals conditions for introduction and widespread transmission Epidemiological modeling of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reveals conditions for introduction and widespread transmission
Emerging infectious diseases with zoonotic potential often have complex socioecological dynamics and limited ecological data, requiring integration of epidemiological modeling with surveillance. Although our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 has advanced considerably since its detection in late 2019, the factors influencing its introduction and transmission in wildlife hosts, particularly...
Authors
Elias Rosenblatt, Jonathan Cook, Graziella DiRenzo, Evan Campbell Grant, Fernando Arce, Kimberly Pepin, F. Rudolph, Michael Runge, Susan Shriner, Daniel Walsh, Brittany A. Mosher
Reframing wildlife disease management problems with decision analysis Reframing wildlife disease management problems with decision analysis
Contemporary wildlife disease management is complex because managers need to respond to a wide range of stakeholders, multiple uncertainties, and difficult trade-offs that characterize the interconnected challenges of today. Despite general acknowledgment of these complexities, managing wildlife disease tends to be framed as a scientific problem, in which the major challenge is lack of...
Authors
Margaret McEachran, Johanna Harvey, Riley Mummah, Molly Bletz, Claire S. Teitelbaum, Elias Rosenblatt, F. Rudolph, Fernando Arce, Shanglai Yin, Diann Prosser, Brittany A. Mosher, Jennifer Mullinax, Graziella DiRenzo, Jannelle Couret, Michael Runge, Evan Campbell Grant, Jonathan Cook
Evaluating management alternatives for Wyoming elk feedgrounds in consideration of chronic wasting disease Evaluating management alternatives for Wyoming elk feedgrounds in consideration of chronic wasting disease
Executive Summary The 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...
Authors
Jonathan Cook, Paul C. Cross, Emily Tomaszewski, Eric K. Cole, Evan Campbell Grant, James Wilder, Michael Runge
Bayesian forecasting of disease spread with little or no local data Bayesian forecasting of disease spread with little or no local data
Rapid and targeted management actions are a prerequisite to efficiently mitigate disease outbreaks. Targeted actions, however, require accurate spatial information on disease occurrence and spread. Frequently, targeted management actions are guided by non-statistical approaches that define the affected area by a pre-determined distance surrounding a small number of disease detections. As...
Authors
Jonathan D Cook, David Williams, Daniel Walsh, Trevor Hefley
Decision making for Centennial Valley Arctic Grayling conservation on Red Rocks Lake National Wildlife Refuge Decision 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.
Authors
Jonathan Cook, Kyle Flynn, Donovan Bell, Matthew Jaeger, Jeff Warren, Ryan Kreiner, Jarrett Payne, Jaron Andrews, Andrew Brummond, Evan Campbell Grant, Sarah Sells