Dr. Kyle Barrett is broadly interested in the environmental and biological factors that set the diversity, distribution, and abundance of organisms (ecology!). Most of his work focuses on how large scale stressors such as urbanization and climate change affect animals. Most recently he is exploring how stream-dwelling species respond to watershed development, approaches to finding and sampling rare species, and how to do long-range conservation planning for amphibians and reptiles in the face of climate change and development.

Robert Chamberlin (MS student) is broadly interested in relationships among environmental conditions, species interactions and animal behavior. Robert received his BA in biology from the College of Wooster, Ohio. As an undergraduate, Robert had opportunities to study plant biology in New Zealand and interspecific interactions in neotropical amphibians, with the latter serving as the basis for his thesis titled “Evidence for ecological niche partitioning in Costa Rican glass frogs”. He plans to further a lifelong passion for herpetofaunal study by investigating the influence of chemical contamination on amphibian behavior. Robert’s hobbies outside of his studies include hiking, wildlife viewing, drawing, and rooting for his hometown Steelers.  

Josh Holbrook (PhD student) has research interests in wetland community assemblages (especially amphibians and reptiles), what factors shape these assemblages and how that knowledge translates to conservation. He also gained an interest in invasive species while studying in Florida for his BS (Palm Beach Atlantic University) and MS (Florida Atlantic University). During his BS work in Biology, Josh was first author on the first peer-reviewed paper examining the effects of Burmese Pythons in southern Florida, and studied the effect of fish on wetland reptiles and amphibians in subtropical wetlands. Josh is also interested in citizen science particularly in harnessing the help of recreational field herpers for conservation initiatives, and to that end co-authored The Field Herping Guide with Mike Pingleton, co-founder of HerpMapper. When not in the field or the lab, Josh spends his time with his wife, Beka; and three children, Chava, Josephine, and Jonah; and grows dozens of varieties of fruit trees including figs and pomegranates. 

Bryan Hudon (PhD student) is broadly interested in reptile ecology and conservation. He received a BS in biology from Piedmont College where his honors thesis focused on the thermal biology of reproductive Timber Rattlesnakes in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of north Georgia. He completed an MS in biology from Georgia College and State University. His thesis focused on rare vertebrates along a series of unique low elevation rock outcrops. Over the years, Bryan has worked with the GA DNR on Bog Turtles and Green Salamanders, the Orianne Society on Timber Rattlesnakes, and Bibb County, GA on land assessments and conservation covenants. His research investigates how habitat management strategies and urbanization across multiple spatial scales can influence population trends and conservation planning for rare species and their associated habitats. His primary goals include evaluating the status of non-coastal Pine Snakes across the southern portion of their range, and helping agencies work with private landowners to create conservation corridors. In his free time, Bryan enjoys working with the GA DNR Ecoburners on prescribed fires, fishing, hunting, cooking, and trying new BBQ. 

Emma Rogers (MS student)  is interested in spatial and movement ecology, and how urban development affects these concepts for different species. Emma is also interested in the citizen science aspect of wildlife research, and works to develop new methods for including citizens in research projects in a mutually beneficial and educational way. Emma received her BS in Environmental and Natural Resources with a Concentration in Conservation from Clemson University. While finishing her undergraduate degree she also participated in the Bachelors to Masters program in which she began her graduate studies early. Her Master's thesis research will focus on the impact of urban development on the movement, behavior, and distribution of the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) in the Clemson area. When she is not out in the field tracking turtles, Emma enjoys hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, and cooking.