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Human-Elephant Interactions
As part of a larger collaborative effort with Connected Conservation, I work to affect positive change and minimize undesirable interactions between humans and elephants around Zambezi National Park and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. To better understand how overlapping resource use and changing landscapes impact humans and elephants, I use spatial analysis and mixed method approaches, incorporating machine learning to model crop-raiding by elephants.
I started this work as a PhD student at the University of Georgia. We are preparing work for publication and more work is forthcoming.
Sustainable agriculture in African drylands
Dr. Kunwar Singh of AidData, William & Mary and I investigated rainwater harvesting, a sustainable solution to water scarcity in African drylands under changing climatic conditions. We recognized a need for synthesizing the effectiveness of rainwater harvesting investments from international funding sources, the barriers each project reported, and the impact projects were able to achieve. We reviewed projects focused on rainwater harvesting for smallholder agriculture across African drylands, identifying trends and knowledge gaps in the implementation of this sustainable agricultural technique. This review has been submitted for publication and is currently in review.
Monthly NDVI (proxy for vegetation health) values and number of conflict reports submitted. Spans the region southeast of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Data courtsey of Connected Conservation, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife.
Forest health on heirs land and on corporate-owned single family residencies in Atlanta, GA
In a project designed by Dr.s Cassandra Johnson Gaither of the US Forest Service and Marguerite Madden of University of Georgia, we attempted to examine differences in tree health between single family residences in Atlanta, GA and single family residences that are suspected to be owned by corporations. We also worked to identify differences in forest health on potential heirs' land (property passed generationally without a will).
Modeled suitability for Bsal in Costa Rica. Red and orange indicates higher suitability and blue and green indicate lower suitability.
Assessing the Risk of the Emergence of a Fungal Pathogen to Costa Rican Salamanders
In collaboration with Henry Adams, we used species distribution models to predict where the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, could have the most success if introduced to Costa Rica and identified high priority areas for monitoring based on risk and salamander biodiversity. This work was part of Adams' master's thesis. Findings are published in PlosOne and can be found here.
Spatially Predicting the Impact of Artificial Night Light and Noise on Wildlife Habitat Across the United States
While at Boise State University, I used a functional sensory ecology approach to map the effects humans have on wildlife. Specifically, I developed spatial indices of risk to anthropogenic noise and light pollution to aid management of mammals and birds with conservation significance and to identify vulnerable habitat corridors.
Potential Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining on Biodiversity in Madre de Dios, Peru
I studied artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Madre de Dios region of Peru. ASGM activities have been expanding in Madre de Dios despite attempts to limit them. This region of the world is a biodiversity hotspot and home to Manu National Park, Tambopata National Reserve, as well as significant human diversity, including tribes in voluntary isolation. My work identified biodiverse areas that may be vulnerable to mercury pollution from ASGM. Results were published in Tropical Conservation Science and can be found here.
Gold mining in the Madre de Dios Region of Peru.
Past Primate Behavior and Diet Research
Past Primate Behavior and Diet Research
I previously studied primate diet and ecology. After graduating with my BSc, I studied factors affecting primate diet and how primates select their diet. Past work included:
Sex differences in the diet of sifakas
For my master's thesis, I studied diet composition of males in comparison to lactating females in Verreaux's sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi) at Berenty Private Reserve in Madagascar with Dr. Lisa Gould. I identified differences diet and behavior between male and female sifakas during the early lactation period.
Variables affecting orangutan feeding tree revisitation rates
I examined variables affecting feeding tree revisitation rates in wild orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) with Dr. Erin Vogel of Rutgers University. Orangutans have large ranges and consume hundreds of plant species. By studying when and why orangutans return to certain feeding trees and not others, we may be able to improve conservation practices and further understand how orangutans survive in a complex habitat. The results of this research were presented at the 2014 American Society of Primatology annual meeting in Atlanta, GA.
Seasonal variation in the diet of titi monkeys
Working with Dr. Kimberly Dingess, we examined differences in the diet composition of the Bolivian titi monkey (Callicebus donacophilus) in relation to seasonality. These results were presented at the 2014 International Primatological Society's meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2014.
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