Broadly, I use advanced population modeling and develop novel methodologies to address complex conservation problems for threatened species, predominantly birds. An important goal in all the research I do is to efficiently and effectively translate results into conservation action<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a postdoctoral associate at the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology my research is focused on advancing conservation of two highly imperiled bird species: the Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus<\/em>) and Spotted Owl in southern California (Strix occidentalis occidentalis<\/em>). For the Pinyon Jay I am using acoustically-derived observations and vegetation information to assess landscape scale-patterns of occupancy. In addition, I am using both acoustic and count-based bird observations to develop an acoustically-based Pinyon Jay abundance index. For Spotted Owls I am using passive acoustic survey data and fire data to assess owl distribution in southern California. Collectively, this work will inform conservation decision-making for these species and their broader ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prior to joining the Lab, my research informed conservation decision-making of threatened bird species and communities in Florida, USA. For example, as part of my Master’s work, I designed and implemented a monitoring program across a national forest in Florida to understand the impact of scrub habitat management practices (e.g., clearcuts, prescribed burns) on bird species of concern, particularly the occupancy and abundance of the state-threatened Southeastern American Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus). <\/em>My PhD research was primarily focused on the Everglade snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus<\/em>), a federally endangered wetland-dependent raptor. I used an extensive 28-year dataset on snail kite reproduction and movement and designed a field experiment to answer questions related to forecasting and understanding complex population dynamics. Research topics included testing social information use in snail kites during dispersal, forecasting site-specific nest initiation and nest survival, and estimating source-sink dynamics across the entire range of a metapopulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before becoming involved in research, my career in conservation began as a teacher in an environmental education program. I am always interested in outreach and mentorship opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n BS, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Rhode IslandEducation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
MS, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
PhD, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","program":[23,37,80],"project":[],"class_list":["post-19523","staff","type-staff","status-publish","hentry","program-bioacoustics-research-program","program-postdoctoral-fellows","program-researchers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/19523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/staff"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"program","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program?post=19523"},{"taxonomy":"project","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project?post=19523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}