I am a USGS biologist assessing the population status of the Western bumble bee as well as modeling contact rates between elk to inform chronic wasting disease prevention.
Research Interests
Over the last decade, I have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects investigating many of the issues wildlife face in modern times; from the intersection of disease ecology and conservation, to the impacts of energy development and military operations on endangered species. My Ph.D. research focused on the impacts of forest disturbance such as fire and bark beetle outbreaks on songbird communities throughout the greater Rocky Mountain region. While I tend to talk a lot about birds (they are a favorite of mine after all) I’ve been fortunate to broaden the scope of my research. In 2017, I completed the Directorate Resource Fellowship program with the US Fish and Wildlife Service at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge where I contributed to the development and implementation of critical habitat monitoring for two endangered species: the Rio Grande silvery minnow and Southwestern willow flycatcher. Currently, I work as a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey assessing the population status of the Western bumble bee across North America as well as modeling contact rates between elk on the National Elk Refuge to inform chronic wasting disease prevention.
Professional Experience
2019-Present: Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, West Glacier Field Office, West Glacier, MT.
2014-2018: Lecturer & Teaching Assistant, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT.
2017: Directorate Fellows Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, La Joya, NM.
2009-2012: Teaching Assistant, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA.
2009: Assistant Biologist, Tetra Tech Environmental Consulting, Stephenville, TX.
2008: Field Biologist, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Hood, TX.
2007-2008: Field Biologist & Crew Lead, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, Washington, DC.
Education and Certifications
B.S. Wildlife Conservation & Management, 2007, Kansas State University
M.A. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, 2012, University of California – Santa Cruz
Ph.D. Wildlife Biology, 2018, University of Montana
Science and Products
Developing Tools to Evaluate Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission Risk
USGS Chronic Wasting Disease Research at NOROCK
Western Bumble Bee and Native Pollinator Research
Science and Products
- Publications
- Science
Developing Tools to Evaluate Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission Risk
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) infects and kills ungulates (deer, elk, moose), and has been spreading across North America for the past 20 years. Some ungulate populations have declined because of CWD and there are no viable vaccines or treatments for this disease. Therefore, tools that assist wildlife managers in preventing and mitigating CWD can be powerful assets in protecting our nation’s big...USGS Chronic Wasting Disease Research at NOROCK
Over the past 20 years, chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wyoming has been spreading slowly outward from the southeastern corner of the state toward the Greater Yellowstone Area and Wyoming's elk feed grounds, where more than 24,000 elk are supplementally fed each winter.Western Bumble Bee and Native Pollinator Research
The western bumble bee was historically one of the most common bumble bees across the western U.S. and Canada. However, our research and others found it has declined substantially across its range and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering it for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and other land managers need information to inform... - Data
- Software
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