People

Andrew C. Kasner, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - Wildlife and Rangeland Ecology and Management

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center - San Angelo

Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management - Texas A&M Univeristy

andrew.kasner@ag.tamu.edu

Education

Ph.D. Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences (2004) - Texas A&M University, College Station, Tx

M.S. Biology (1999), B.S. Biology (1995) - Angelo State University, San Angelo, Tx 

Dr. Kasner has been studying birds, reptiles, and fish for over 20 years and is interested in all aspects of the ecology and conservation of birds and other wildlife in his home state of Texas, especially their ecology on working lands and energy industrial development. In his spare time he enjoys birding, fishing, and hunting with family and friends. 

News: Recent press release on Dr. Kasner's position with Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Grant Rogers

Ph.D. Student

Rangeland, Wildlife, & Fisheries Management

Texas A&M Univeristy

grant.rogers@ag.tamu.edu

Education/Certifications

M.S. Animal Science (2013), Angelo State University, San Angelo, Tx

B.S. Natural Resources (2008), University of Arizona, Tucson, Az

Certified Insured Prescribed Burn Manager

Grant is a Research Specialist in Precision Predation Management at the San Angelo AgriLife Research Center. He is pursuing a PhD in Wilidlife Science from the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management at Texas A&M University. Grant conducts research on predation ecology with a goal of finding practical solutions for wildlife conflict in the sheep and goat ranching industry. His experience managing ranches in Texas add to his expertise in animal production and wildlife management on Texas landscapes, and his educational background in Rangeland Management and Animal Science give him a diverse skillset to develop integrated approaches. Grant is excited to be a part of ecological research on predatory birds, non-predatory birds as indicators of rangeland health, and livestock management practices that could mitigate predation. Grant enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with family.

Sarah Macha

Graduate Research Assistant and Field Crew Lead Technician

M.S. Biology graduate program - Angelo State University

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

smacha020@gmail.com

Education 

B.S. Biology (2021) - Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Tx

Sarah is a graduate student in the Kasner Lab, working on the nesting ecology and post-delisting monitoring of Black-capped Vireo in the Western Edwards Plateau, in partnership with the American Bird Conservancy, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and Dr. Ben Skipper (ASU-Biology). She is also assisting with other research efforts in the Kasner Lab on birds, bats, and reptiles.

Her previous research for her undergraduate thesis focused on the spatial ecology of Texas horned lizards using VHF radio telemetry. She also assisted with research on site fidelity of wintering grassland birds in the Southern High Plains and research using tree-core analysis to assess effects of climate on tree growth. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends.

Maika Sloan

Graduate Research Technician

M.S. Biology graduate program - Angelo State University

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

maikasloan3321@gamil.com

Education 

B.S. Wildlife Biology (2025) - West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Tx

Maika is a graduate student in the Kasner Lab, working on monitoring the presence of breeding Mountain Plovers and their habitat during the breeding season in the Northwest Panhandle and Trans-Pecos regions of Texas, in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department state ornithologist, Dr. Tania Homayoun, and Dr. Ben Skipper (ASU-Biology).

During her undergraduate studies, she assisted with other graduate projects, including collecting data on the presence of different bat species in Palo Duro Canyon and tracking Ring-necked Pheasants using GPS receivers. In her free time, Maika enjoys photography and hanging out with her friends. 

Matthew Rector

Research Associate

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center - San Angelo

matthew.rector@ag.tamu.edu

Education/Certifications

Master of Natural Resource Development (2019), Texas A&M University, College Station, Tx

B.S. Rangeland Ecology & Management (2005), Texas A&M University, College Station, Tx

Certified Insured Prescribed Burn Manager

Matthew is a Research Associate with a shared appointment between the Kasner Lab, where he assists with wildlife research projects, and the Prairie Project, where he assists other TAMU colleagues with prescribed fire and range management research. 

Matthew previously worked for USDA-ARS in South Texas, using biological control to eradicate giant cane (Arundo donax), and on a project to control cattle fever tick in South Texas. Matthew is also an avid fly-fisherman and enjoys catching fish on his own hand-tied fly patterns.