Education

  • PhD Candidate, Wildlife Biology, University of Montana (2016- present)
  • PhD student, Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, North Carolina State University (2014-2016; moved to UM with advisor)
  • Graduate coursework, Ecology, San Diego State University (2013-2014)
  • Post-bac coursework, Wildlife Biology, Colorado State University (2011-2012)
  • BA, Chinese Language and Literature, Dartmouth College (2001)

Graduate Research Projects

  • Intraguild competition and predator-prey dynamics following large carnivore recovery in the Southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
  • Population status and management of wolves in Scandinavia
  • Global phenology of coat-color changing mammals

Research Interests

I consider myself both an applied wildlife ecologist and a field biologist.  While I am fascinated by the natural world, ecological processes, animal behavior and species interactions, its important to me that my research directly address problems in wildlife management and conservation, and help keep wildlife on the landscape. Some of my specific research interests include:

  • the ecology and conservation of mammals, particularly large carnivores and ungulates;
  • community-level interactions; 
  • spatial ecology; 
  • disease ecology; and
  • the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on species and ecosystems.

I enjoy incorporating field, quantitative and geospatial approaches into my work, and using and optimizing cutting-edge tools in wildlife detection and monitoring.  

I love working in the high-mountain and desert ecosystems of the American West and feel strongly about making an impact for wildlife here at home in the United States.  However, given my previous background in international relations and languages, including Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese, I also hope to work on projects in Asia, Latin America and Europe, as well as with wildlife populations that span political boundaries here in North America in the future.  ​In the meantime, I am very excited to be carrying out my PhD research with Dr. Scott Mills at the University of Montana's Wildlife Biology Program.
Picture
In the lab
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In the field
PictureCougar, Colorado
CPWOcelot, Colombia
PictureGolden eagle, Colorado
Giant Anteater, Colombia
Bighorn sheep, Colorado
Coyotes, Colorado
PictureGreat-horned owl, Colorado
Northern crested caracara, Colombia
Bighorn sheep lambs, Colorado
Mule deer fawn, Colorado
PHOTOS
Unless otherwise noted all photos are mine. 
Camera trap photos:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife  Research  (CPW) or;
Fundación Omacha, research (ocelot, anteater, caracara)