Current Leadership

President: Carly Thompson (she/her)

I am in my second year of graduate school at the School for Environment & Sustainability, focusing in Ecosystem Science and Management. I work part-time as Programs Manager for Wildlife Conservation Network, a global nonprofit based out of California. I joined the Society for Conservation Biology to meet other career conservationists and discuss the most pressing issues facing biodiversity around the globe.

President / Secretary: Gwynne Powell (she/her)

I am a first-year Ecosystem Science & Management master's student, a born botanist, land stewardship enthusiast, sub-amateur birder, and an avid cat person. I have particular interests in soil-plant dynamics in wetlands and forests, the geological history of the Midwest, and how we can heal our relationship with the land by caring for all its inhabitants.  

Vice President: Jason Hagani (he/him)

I am a spatial ecologist whose work focuses on the intersection between animal movements and anthropogenic activity. I employ remote sensing, statistical modeling, and field-based methods to better understand the mechanisms driving these human-wildlife interactions. My dissertation research will broadly focus on the effects of wildfire on the movements of wildlife – particularly gray wolves – in the Upper Peninsula in collaboration with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. I aim to use an interdisciplinary approach to examine complex conservation issues, combining social and ecological sciences to promote coexistence between people and animals.

Vice President / Web Manager: Fang Chen (she/her)

I am a second year master’s student studying bear movement ecology using geospatial modeling. My research focuses on the anthropogenic impacts on the space use of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in my home country, Taiwan. Particularly, I am interested in how illegal snare traps impact individuals’ behavior by comparing the habitat selection strength between injured individuals and normal ones. I hope my research results can contribute to Asiatic black bear conservation in Asia. 

Graduate Coordinator: Amy Zuckerwise (she/her)

I am a PhD candidate with a focus on the ecology and conservation of felids within socio-ecological systems. My current research investigates co-adaptations of humans with tigers in the Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal using interdisciplinary and cross-scale methods, including wildlife tracking, remote sensing, and participatory mapping of indigenous and local knowledge. I aim to shed light on the nuanced relationships between people and carnivores, contribute strategies for the future of human-wildlife coexistence, and promote more inclusive conservation. 

Treasurer: Anna Yu (she/her)

I am a second-year PhD student focusing on human-wildlife coexistence on complex, shared landscapes. My dissertation research utilizes methods from wildlife ecology, social sciences, and geospatial modeling to study community-based snow leopard conservation in the Sanjiangyuan region on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. My goal is to contribute to the broader discussion on sustainable and equitable human-nature relationships.

Event Coordinator: Sara Thiessen (she/her)

I am a second year master's candidate at SEAS studying Ecosystem Science & Management and Geospatial Data Science. My capstone project involves building a land stewardship plan and spatial data hub for the University of Michigan Biological Station. I hope to pursue a conservation-focused career working with forest and/or soil ecosystems. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, camping, painting, and exploring local coffee shops.

Undergraduate Coordinator: Gigi Lu (she/her)

I am a sophomore double-majoring in EEB and Mathematical Sciences. I’m interested in bridging the fields of biology and mathematics by doing research designing conservation programs using mathematical modelling. I joined SCB to learn more about the culture of conservation and to connect with people who are also passionate about protecting nature. I hope to bring more undergraduate involvement to the club and help aspiring conservationists learn more about the opportunities and viability of a career in conservation. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, meditating, gaming, watching Xianxia C-dramas, and doing Taekwondo.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Neil Carter (he/him)