About Me

I am a wildlife conservationist whose research is at the intersection of ecological and social science. I use quantitative and qualitative approaches to study how environmental, social, and policy factors influence wildlife populations and species distributions. I also strive to better understand approaches that mitigate conflict and encourage coexistence between people and wildlife.

My research has taken me to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, where I evaluated the ability of the river otter (Lontra canadensis) to serve as an aquatic flagship species for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and assessed various camera-trapping methods to detect elusive carnivore species. I have also been involved in a multiple wildlife ecology projects focused in western Maryland and West Virginia, including a study on assessing the presence, den-site selection, and movements of the eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius), a project assessing carnivore interactions at Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) latrines, and multiple studies involving various bat species in caves and abandoned railroad tunnels.

As an Assistant Professor in the Environmental Science and Sustainability Department and Co-Director of the newly established Watershed Research and Conservation Center at Allegheny College I plan to engage in a variety of student-driven research projects and work to train our next generation of watershed stewards.