Graduate

James VanOrman (2016-present)

James joined the lab in 2016. He grew up in southwest Michigan, but became an honorary Yooper during his undergraduate studies at Lake Superior State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. James has done previous research on black-capped chickadee feeding behavior. He is now focusing his research on black-capped chickadee vocalizations, where he is testing the use of gargle calls as flock identifiers.

Samantha Phillips (2017-present)

Sam is taking the lead on our Thornicroft's Giraffe project, working on building a comprehensive sighting database to be used in population demographic descriptions. Sam is gaining experience not only with the laborious computer cataloging portions of the project, but also field experience in South Luangwa National Park, through her participation in the Field Studies of Zambia Course. As an undergraduate, Sam also worked on the Owl Genetics projects in our lab.

Steph Szarmach (2017-present)

Steph joined the lab in 2017, moving to Marquette from the New Hampshire seacoast. She earned her B.A. in biology and environmental studies from Oberlin College. After completing her undergraduate studies Steph worked on a variety of avian research projects, from banding raptors in California and New Mexico to surveying for woodpeckers in Idaho. She has previously done genetic research on Northern Goshawks breeding in a naturally fragmented landscape in southern Idaho. Steph is now shifting her focus from birds to mammals as she works on a genetic study of blue wildebeest in Zambia, using RAD-tag markers to assess genetic diversity, population dynamics, and movements of this migratory keystone species.

Connor Gable (2017-present)

Connor received his Bachelor of Science degree from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in 2016, majoring in organismal biology/ecology with a minor in German communication and culture. While at Kutztown University, he conducted undergraduate research on House Wrens, studying why House Wrens add spider egg cases to their nests. Connor’s Master’s thesis research at Northern is focused on black-capped chickadees and how wood decay fungal communities might influence chickadee nest-site selection. To do this, he is using a mix of next-generation sequencing techniques and traditional field data collection techniques.

Carly Paget (2017-present)

Carly came to the lab from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after earning her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, obtaining dual degrees in zoology and environmental studies and working a handful of positions in museum collections, wildlife rehabilitation, and environmental education. Upon graduation, Carly moved to Cape Town, South Africa to assess the conservation implications for an endangered colony of African Penguins. After her travels abroad, she worked at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she helped train and care for a variety of education animals and assisted with free-flight bird shows. Carly is continuing her passion for birds and behavioral ecology as she contributes further work to the JPCP, examining how habitat quality drives foraging patterns and associated social dynamics among Black-capped Chickadee flocks.

Meggin Weinandt, M.S. (2004-2006)

Thesis: Conservation Implications of Common Loon (Gavia immer) parasites: black flies, haematozoans and the role of mercury.

2009-present: Environmental Analyst - Rocky Mountain Power, Salt Lake City, Utah 

2008-2009: Field Biologist - Pacificorp, Salt Lake City, Utah

2007-2008: Bird Inventory Survey Technician - Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise Idaho

2007: Fisheries Technician - Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise Idaho

2007: Sandhill Crane Field Technician - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (USGS) & Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust, Wood River, Nebraska

Jonelle (Korhonen) Thompson, M.S. (2004-2006)

- N. Cumberlidge major advisor; molecular genetic work performed in Lindsay Lab

Thesis: A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Malagasy freshwater crab genus Hydrothelphusa H. Milne Edwards, 1872, with biogeographical implications for the group.

2009-present: Research Scientist-Genetic Identity Promega Corporation, Madison, WI

2006-2009: Associate Laboratory Director & Forensic DNA Analyst Sorenson Forensics, Salt Lake City, UT

Grant Slusher, M.S. (2008-2011)

Thesis: Non-invasive genetic sampling in the analysis of white-tailed deer populations

2014-present: Research Scientist, UES Inc.

2012-2014: Research Chemist, Henry Jackson Foundation

Sayako Iwanaga, M.S. (2010-2012)

Thesis: Seed type, predator and social influence on foraging black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)

2013-present: Education and Outreach Coordinator, Hawks Aloft Inc., Albuquerque NM

Abbie Debiak, M.S. (2010-2012)

Thesis: A molecular genetic assessment of sex ratios from breeding, migrating and overwintering common loons.

2014-present: Field Ecologist, Superior Watershed Partnership, Marquette MI

2012-2014: USDA Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, Lansing MI

Quentin Sprengelmeyer, M.S. (2012-2014)

Thesis: Revising the Phylogeny of the loons (Gaviidae)

2014-present: Genetics PhD program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (John Pool Lab)

Zach Gayk, M.S. (2014-2016)

Thesis: A survey of the common loon (Gavia immer) genome reveals patterns of natural selection

2017-present: Biology PhD program at the University of Windsor, Ontario (Dan Mennill Lab)

Katie Bjornen (2015-2018)

Thesis: Avian foraging response to jack pine (Pinus banksiana) volatile chemicals