Will Janousek, Ph.D.

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.