The Lewis Lab

With a research emphasis in applied ecology, our research incorporates the principles of wildlife biology, landscape ecology, and conservation biology. Strong collaborations and interdisciplinary relationships are vital to accomplishing many research projects and my research involves working with diverse and complimentary groups of people, state and federal agencies, and organizations. Much of our research focuses on field-based studies using GPS and VHF telemetry and non-invasive methods (e.g., remote wildlife cameras, bat monitors, scat collection). We also apply GIS spatial modeling across regional, national, and global scales. In addition to research providing critical information to natural resource managers, it also is vital to teach and inspire the next generation of students in our field through research opportunities. 

Please see below for more details about people in the lab and our specific research projects.

Also see the Publications link for additional projects and collaborations.

Madison Bigham -- M.S. student (2024 - present)  

Thesis topic: Sonoran desert tortoise habitat selection, small wildlife use of dry desert washes, and mitigation measures of solar development on burrowing wildlife

Madison is using GPS telemetry data to evaluate space use and habitat selection of Sonoran Desert tortoise in relation to landscape factors and seasons. She is also evaluating the use of dry desert washes by a diversity of wildlife species. In addition, she is reviewing mitigation measures for burrowing wildlife species in relation to solar development. This project is in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management and AZ Game and Fish Department. 

Aung Chan, PhD -- Post Doctoral Researcher (2023 - present)  

Research topic: Estimating wild pig resource damage, populations, and effects on wildlife across two study areas in California and Florida 

Aung is a post doctoral researcher evaluating wild pig populations in the United States and how rooting damage and vegetation are influenced by wild pig populations, seasons, and management activities. In addition, Aung is evaluating wild pig populations through time at study areas in Florida and California in relation to climate and environmental factors. This work is in collaboration with the USDA National Wildlife Research Center.

Julia Hernandez -- M.S. student (2023 - present)  

Thesis topic: Habitat relationships of wildlife along a major river corridor and comparison of connectivity models 

Julia is evaluating habitat relationships for a diversity of wildlife species along the Salt River in Arizona in relation to vegetation, topography, water, human development, human recreation, and other factors. In addition, she is comparing results of habitat use and connectivity from data collected along linear transects compared to dispersed sampling across the landscape. This project is in collaboration with the Central Arizona Phoenix (CAP) LTER program at ASU.

Jay Holm -- M.S. student (2023 - present) 

Thesis topic: Wildlife use of underpass and overpass crossing structures along the CAP canal in Arizona

Jay is evaluating how a diversity of wildlife species use crossing structures along the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal in Arizona. Using wildlife cameras at overpasses and underpasses, he will evaluate the environmental and structural characteristics that promote crossings by small to large mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. This is a collaborative project with the US Bureau of Reclamation. 

Olivia Nguyen -- M.S. student (2021 - present) 

Thesis topic: Effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on wildlife occupancy and activity patterns across a gradient of urbanization

Olivia is using a before-after-control-impact study design to evaluate how a diversity of wildlife species responded to changes in human activity and behavior across the gradient of urbanization due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She is using data from wildlife cameras across the Phoenix Valley. In addition, Olivia is evaluating how results of wildlife occupancy relate to socio-economic data and public reporting data of wildlife. This project is in collaboration with the Central Arizona Phoenix (CAP) LTER program at ASU.

Brianna Russo -- M.S. student (2019 - 2024) 

Thesis topic: Mule deer habitat selection and landscape connectivity in an arid ecoregion

Brianna used GPS telemetry data from mule deer in the McDowell Mountains of Arizona to evaluate trade-offs in how animals responded to landscape features across seasons, especially in relation to water resources and human development. She also evaluated landscape connectivity of mule deer across the southwestern US and northern Mexico. This project was a collaboration with AZ Game and Fish Department and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Conservancy.

Jeffrey Haight -- Ph.D. student (2018 - 2023)  

Dissertation topic: Response of the wildlife community to the gradient of urbanization across local and broad scales

Jeff used wildlife cameras across the gradient of urbanization in Phoenix, AZ to evaluate wildlife communities and species interactions. In addition, Jeff evaluated broad-scale patterns of wildlife communities across the United States in collaboration with our partners with the Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN). This work is also part of the Central Arizona Phoenix (CAP) LTER program at ASU.

Kaela Hamilton -- M.S. student (2020 - 2023)  

Thesis topic: Factors influencing wildlife use of canal crossing structures across multiple scales in Arizona

Kaela evaluated how a diversity of wildlife species used crossing structures along the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal in Arizona. She maintained wildlife cameras at overpasses and underpasses to understand which wildlife use crossing structures and the characteristics that promote usage across multiple spatial and temporal scales. This is a collaborative project with the US Bureau of Reclamation. 

Mark Williamson -- M.S. student (non-thesis) (2020 - 2022)

Project topic: Wolf depredations in the Southwestern US through time 

Mark evaluated the influence of livestock, environmental, and carnivore factors on annual and seasonal trends in cattle depredations by Mexican gray wolves since their reintroduction (1998-2020). This project was in collaboration with the USDA Wildlife Services in Arizona and New Mexico.

Jessie Dwyer -- M.S. student (2018 - 2021)

Thesis topic: Bat habitat use along the gradient of urbanization in the Phoenix metropolitan area

Jessie used acoustic monitors to study how populations and communities of bats change across the gradient of urbanization in the Phoenix Valley, AZ. They collected data across four seasons and provided novel information about bat populations in the region. This project was in collaboration with the Central Arizona Phoenix (CAP) LTER program at ASU.

Peter Schlichting, PhD -- Post Doctoral Researcher (2017 - 2020)

Project topic: Wild pig population dynamics, social interactions, and management

Peter used data from wildlife cameras and GPS telemetry collars to evaluate wild pig populations through time and in relation to management activities. Using data across two study areas in California and Florida, this research will provide novel information about wild pig ecology and how to effectively manage populations to minimize their impact to ecosystems and agricultural resources. This project was a collaboration with the USDA, Tejon Conservancy, and University of Florida.