Meet the Team

Kristina Beggen 

Kristina is a PhD student in Environmental Studies and Sociology at the University of Oregon and is the graduate employee for the Wildlife and Parks course in spring 2025. Kristina’s research explores the human dimensions of wildlife management from a critical environmental justice lens. Her research thus far has focused predominantly on wolves, but this experience has provided an excellent opportunity to broaden her canid-oriented research. Kristina has a beautifully mysterious dog named Okie, and she always knows what phase the moon is in. 

Emma Milanes Gomez

Emma is a University of Oregon senior majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Sustainable Business. Emma was born in Mexico City and moved to the Pacific Northwest when she was nine. Due to the differing environments, Emma has always been interested in nature, humans, and culture, and how these aspects interact and feed into one another. Emma is excited about the chance to learn more and gain valuable experience while working with the Wildlife and Parks team. She looks forward to taking her new knowledge and skills into her future career. Outside of school, Emma loves reading, swimming, and spending time with family and friends. 

Carter Rosato

Carter is a senior majoring in Environmental Science at the University of Oregon. Hailing from Ventura, CA, Carter has always held a unique appreciation for the outdoors; though she misses the beach, here in Eugene, she can often be found hiking, playing golf, or enjoying the sunlight that spring term affords. During her four years of study, she has fostered her interest in hydrology by looking at anthropogenic impacts on groundwater and drought, particularly concerning infrastructure and agriculture on the West Coast. When out of the field, hobbies like reading, playing piano, supporting the dramatic arts, and various outdoor activities fill her time. 

Chloe Wood

Chloe  is a senior at the University of Oregon majoring in Environmental Studies and Sociology with a minor in Public Policy Planning and Management. Chloe was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. She works at the Collegiate Recovery Center at the university and is interested in how humans interact with the environment and addiction recovery. Outside of school Chloe enjoys educating others about harm reduction, spending time outdoors connecting with nature, going to concerts, and creating art.  

Dylan Morrissette

Dylan  is a third-year (Junior) Environmental Science major focusing in Policy and minoring in Science communication. Dylan loves outdoor recreation, from walking, swimming, to climbing trees, but he’s most interested in learning how humans perceive the environment through recreation and how human recreation affects wildlife. That’s why he likes Wildlife and Parks, because it gives him real-world experience in field work in a career he’s passionate about. 

Erin Skinner

Erin was born and raised in rural Illinois on a small farm, where an early connection to the land helped shape her sustainable values today. After serving as a medic in the U.S. Air Force and moving around for a few years, she eventually relocated from Anchorage, Alaska to Springfield, Oregon to pursue a higher education. Erin is now a senior at the University of Oregon majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainable Business. She is passionate about environmental stewardship, habitat restoration, and advancing conservation efforts in a way that honors decolonized practices and builds community resilience. In her free time, Erin enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with her two cats and dog.

Franny Hall

Franny is a junior studying Environmental Sciences at the University of Oregon. She is from Seattle, WA and loves the outdoors. After college, she hopes to go into conservation and habitat restoration.

Kit Studebaker-Reed

Kit is a transfer student from Colorado Springs, CO. Their curiosity and concern towards nature have led them to pursue a Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon. They enjoy hiking and exploring nature, and consider themself just as at home in the woods as they are in their favorite concert venues. They are passionate about animal behavior, and the way humans impact their environment. They are especially interested in the overlap between psychology and animal behavior. They are excited to take part in this project, and to gain more experience in surveying both people and animals through the course of the study. 

Maya Beal

Maya is a Senior at UO, majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Planning, Public Policy and Management. Outside of the classroom she enjoys spending time outdoors with friends and family. With a passion for sustainability and conservation, after graduation she hopes to continue her professional and academic career within these fields.

Sam Dehmer 

Sam is a fourth-year environmental studies student with a focus on food studies and sustainability. His combined love of cooking and the outdoors has led to an avid interest in wild and domestic food systems and how they influence society. Originally from California, he has lived in Thailand and Louisiana, but now his family calls Bend, Oregon home. He enjoys many outdoor activities including rafting, hunting, fishing, and foraging, as well as playing piano and saxophone.

Samantha Albin 

Samantha is a senior honors student at the University of Oregon majoring in Environmental Studies and Sociology. Originally from California, Samantha grew up with a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Drawn to the intersection of people and the planet, she is passionate about exploring how social systems and environmental challenges are deeply connected. Outside of academics, Samantha enjoys playing intramural volleyball, listening to music, and drawing.

Thomas Schmidt

Thomas is a junior here at UO currently studying Environmental Science and Forensic Anthropology. Currently living in Colorado, he enjoys being in the woods and working around just about any animal. Tommy hopes to gain more experience studying wildlife in a natural setting and has learned a lot during his time in the Wildlife and Parks Team! On top of spending time around animals, Tommy also enjoys reading and drawing.