Education
University of Montana
M.S. Wildlife Biology · Missoula, MT · 2025
Thesis: Probability of Use and Occupancy Sampling Design for Rocky Mountain Red Fox
Drake University
B.S. Zoology, minor in Environmental Science · Des Moines, IA · 2011
Senior Thesis: A Comparative Analysis of High Pathogenic and Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza A Protein Sequences. In collaboration with Dr. Heidi Sleister, Department of Biology.
Work Experience
Present
Graduate Research Associate
Multiregional Multispecies Mesocarnivore Monitoring · USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station
Great Falls / Missoula, MT
PI: Jody Tucker
- Design and lead development of a multiregional database and data management ecosystem for large-scale mesocarnivore monitoring
- Write R code for automated reports, maps, and data analysis pipelines; develop project-wide macros integrating Access, R, and ArcGIS
- Work with USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station to develop protocols for multiregional monitoring of wolverine, fisher, lynx, red fox, and marten
- Assist with writing scientific publications on noninvasive monitoring techniques
Aug. 2022
Veterinary Technician
Best Friends Animal Hospital
Great Falls, MT
Practice Manager: Amanda Norton
- Intake, triage, and monitoring of patients; assisted with surgery, anesthesia, and postoperative care
- Collected samples, took radiographs, performed lab tests, and maintained animal care records
- Supervised veterinary assistants and conducted owner discharge appointments
Apr. 2020
Mesocarnivore Monitoring Technician
Multispecies Mesocarnivore Monitoring Program · University of Montana
West Yellowstone / Missoula, MT
PI: Jessie Golding
- Conducted snow track surveys for wolverine, fisher, lynx, montane red fox, and marten
- Collected eDNA and traditional DNA samples (scat, urine, hair); backtracked target species
- Safely operated and maintained snowmobiles in remote winter terrain
Dec. 2019
Junior Specialist
Siskiyou Deer and Puma Project · University of California
Mt. Shasta, CA
PI: Heiko Wittmer
- Visited GPS collar kill sites; assisted with mountain lion captures using hounds and cage traps
- Conducted black-tailed deer fawn captures and radio telemetry; investigated collared deer mortalities
- Conducted vegetation surveys and trained ten interns for deer pellet surveys
- Collected field data using Collector for ArcGIS in challenging terrain and weather
Apr. 2018
Terrestrial Biologist
National Park Service · Yosemite National Park
El Portal, CA
Park Biologist: Sarah Stock
- Organized and led targeted captures for Pacific fisher; assisted with mountain lion research planning
- Developed and managed trail camera databases across multiple projects
- Assisted with feather searches, owl surveys, and project report writing
Apr. 2018
Ecological Technician
Integral Ecology Research Center
Blue Lake, CA
Co-Founder: Greta Wengert
- Assisted with mountain lion research database development and small mammal trapping
- Worked cooperatively with Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest
Oct. 2017
Fisher & Mountain Lion Field Technician
Kings River Fisher Project · USFS Sierra National Forest
Shaver Lake, CA
PI: Craig Thompson
- Managed day-to-day operations for a crew of two; trained and oversaw CDFW scientific aides and project volunteers
- Designed, built, and maintained project Microsoft Access database, datasheets, and ArcGIS maps
- Visited mountain lion GPS collar kill sites; conducted captures with hounds and box traps
- Conducted ground and aerial radio telemetry for fishers; located and monitored den and rest sites
- Set and checked box traps daily during winter fisher trapping seasons; assisted with processing captures
Presentations
Evidence of Niche Separation Between Red Foxes and Coyotes in the US Rocky Mountains
Optimizing local surveys for broad-scale wildlife population monitoring
Lion prey selection in the Sierra National Forest; influence of forest management and implications for mesocarnivores
Development of a Thermocouple Device to Measure Zebra Finch Nest Temperature During Incubation
Skills
Technical & Computational
- Statistical programming and modeling — R, R Shiny, JAGS, C++, Bayesian modeling
- Database and data management — SQL, Microsoft Access, Adobe Suite
- Geospatial tools — ArcGIS, ESRI Online Applications, Google Earth Engine, Arcade
- Camera trap and occupancy software — Presence, LOAS, CPW Photo Warehouse, GPS Plus X
- Field data collection apps — Survey123, Field Maps, CyberTracker, Avenza Maps, CalTopo
- GPS hardware — Garmin handhelds, Trimble Juno S Series
- Operating systems — Windows, macOS, Linux
Field & Natural History
- Camera trapping and noninvasive monitoring
- Trapping for small carnivores, mountain lions, ungulates, and small mammals
- Ground and aerial radio telemetry — GPS and VHF collars (Vectronics, Holohil, SirTrack)
- Snow track surveys and eDNA collection
- 4WD vehicle operation in hazardous conditions; snowmobile operation
- Basic mechanical skills including field vehicle maintenance
- Animal care and handling — 55+ species
- Flora identification — Montana, Midwest, Sierra Nevada, and Northern California, native and invasive species
- 15+ years hiking and camping across western North America
Teaching & Leadership
- Co-chair, TWS Biometrics Working Group Graduate Student Special Committee · 2025–2026
- Lead instructor, TWS BWG and SDWG Introduction to R Workshop · 2025–2026
- Developed and led R programming workshop for incoming graduate students
- Led University of Montana Wildlife Biology R Users Group
- Invited Guest Speaker Committee Member · 2023–2024
- Wildlife Biology Graduate Seminar Coordinator · Spring 2023
- Co-led student initiative on harassment prevention and inclusion at field sites
- Public outreach and science communication — zoo education programs and conference presentations
Certifications
- USFS Snowmobile Training · Jan. 2020
- American Heart Association CPR/AED Certification · Jan. 2020
- National Safety Council Defensive Driving (8-hour) · Dec. 2019
- First Aid / National Health and Safety First Aid · Dec. 2019
- American Avalanche Association Level 1 · Mar. 2019
- US Forest Service Driver License · Jan. 2017, current
- ATV Safety Institute Rider Course · Dec. 2014
- Basic Aviation Safety, A-100 (USFS) · Jul. 2014
Honors & Awards
Service & Membership
- TWS Biometrics Working Group Student Excellence Award · 2026
- AmeriCorps — successful completion of 1,700-hour term of service · Dec. 2012
- The Wildlife Society — Member since 2013
Drake University
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude
- Presidential Scholarship · 2010–2013
- President's List · Fall 2010, Fall 2011
- Dean's List · Spring 2011
- Transfer Peer Mentor · Spring–Fall 2010