Current research

Since 2019, I have been volunteering with Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) wildlife surveys in Ohio with Dr. Don Althoff. I am a fully fledged “5 Hickory Nut Technician” due to my proficiency in humane capture, collecting scat for glucocorticoid stressor hormone profiles, applying ear tags, recording field data, and safe release of animals back to the wild.

Future Research

I have a keen interest in the impacts of carnivores on controlling zoonotic disease in wildlife populations, particularly in areas of human-wildlife conflict and urban-wildlife boundaries. My 2024 NSF GRFP proposal seeks funding for performing field RT-QuIC tests on mountain lion scats to test for presence of infectious Chronic Wasting Disease prions, a growing disease of wildlife management concern with potential for spillover into humans.

Wildlife Tracking

Through Track & Sign Evaluations with Tracker Certification North America, I have leapt into the world of wildlife tracking and reading the landscape for footprints, chew marks, burrows, bones, scats, and more! Currently I have my Level 1 Certification in Track and Sign, and I continually seek to expand my knowledge to higher levels by learning from experienced trackers. I am always eager to learn new field skills such as radio telemetry, GPS tracking, camera trap grids, conservation detection dog handling, and more.