Plenary and Workshop People

Yu Kai Tan - Ph.D. candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan

Yu Kai Tan studies the evolution of deep sea carrier snails, and drivers of marine invertebrate diversity. Yu Kai has a Master's in Earth and Environmental Sciences and a Bachelors from Wesleyan University with triple majors in Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences. He plays the violin, stargazes and wants to go diving more than he gets time to. 

Image source: https://lsa.umich.edu/eeb/people/graduate-students

Elizabeth (Liz) White - Ecologist at Niswander Environmental, LLC

Elizabeth White has been at Niswander Environmental for 7 years. She obtained a degree in environmental science from EMU with a concentration in biology. Her environmental career started at Ann Arbor’s Natural Area Preservation (NAP) where she worked on invasive species management, trail maintenance, and controlled burns. At Niswander Environmental, she does a little bit of everything, but her main focus is conducting wetland delineations, designing wetland mitigations, and conducting mussel surveys. Elizabeth is a mother to a happy 3-month-old baby girl and a sweet 10-year-old puppy. 

Image source: LinkedIn

Kristin (Kristi) Judd, PhD - Professor of Biology; Environmental Science and Society (ENVI) Interdisciplinary Program at Eastern Michigan University

Dr Judd is interested in linkages between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Her research focuses on organic matter dynamics and nutrient cycling and the watershed scale processes that control the export of carbon and nutrients from land to water. Her research also focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying these ecosystem fluxes to better predict the consequences of environmental change on both aquatic ecosystems, which are often sensitive to changes in terrestrial inputs, and overall ecosystem elemental budgets (e.g., terrestrial carbon storage or CO2 release to the atmosphere; nitrogen retention or export). 

Kyler Moran - Preserve Stewardship Manager of the Legacy Land Conservancy

Kyler is an experienced naturalist with an unyielding passion for the unique species that call Michigan home. As Legacy Land Conservancy's Preserve Stewardship Manager, he oversees the stewardship and management of eight publicly accessible nature preserves and a department of five staff.  An AmeriCorps and Michigan State University alum (BA Fisheries and Wildlife, 2018), Kyler entered the non-profit land trust world initially through service as a Huron Pines AmeriCorps member with a northern Michigan conservancy. Prior to entering the non-profit field, Kyler worked for Michigan State University and the US Forest Service, leading field and insectary operations for a cooperative Emerald Ash Borer research lab. He joined Legacy’s staff as an Easement Stewardship Coordinator in 2020, before transitioning into his role with the Nature Preserve Program in 2021. Kyler enjoys working with seasonal stewardship staff and volunteers to develop their passions for conservation, and he’s happy to talk endlessly about his newest finds at the thrift store and the most recent cool rock, plant, or bug that he’s encountered. 

Grace Halcrow - Master's Student (thesis)  at Eastern Michigan University

Grace Halcrow is an international student from Toronto, Canada. She graduated with honors at Eastern Michigan University with a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in ecology, evolution, and organismal diversity. As a undergraduate student, her research is focused on freshwater jellyfish ecology and native fish passes. As a graduate student, she has continued her work with freshwater jellyfish. Her thesis focuses on monitoring and detecting freshwater jellyfish using eDNA. Grace teaches introductory cells and molecules lab as a Graduate Assistant. When not in the field or lab, Grace loves micro fishing, reading, and hiking. 

Gavin Edwards, PhD - Associate Professor Chemistry; Environmental Science and Society Interdisciplinary Program

Gavin Edwards was born in Wales, UK. He earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Chemistry from the University of Leicester in England. His doctoral research, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Paul Monks, focused on aircraft-based measurements of atmospheric composition over the North Atlantic. He moved to the United States in 2001 to join the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, where he worked with Dr. Chris Cantrell on the measurement of atmospheric peroxy radicals—key intermediates that influence how the atmosphere cleans itself. He later completed a second postdoctoral appointment at Purdue University with Dr. Paul Shepson, studying biogenic volatile organic compounds emitted by trees under environmental stress. Dr. Edwards joined Eastern Michigan University in 2007 and is now an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry. His research examines air quality, with particular emphasis on the chemical environment inside passenger vehicles and on ambient air quality across Southeast Michigan. Outside academia, Dr. Edwards enjoys time with his wife, four children, and two dogs. His hobbies include astronomy, reading, and following the San Francisco 49ers NFL team and watching Formula One."

Matthew Jackson - Master's student Eastern Michigan University

Matt is originally from Toledo, Ohio. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at Eastern Michigan University. He stayed at Eastern to earn his master's degree in biology where he also teaches as a Graduate Assistant for introductory cells and molecules classes. Matt loves plants, fungi, and arthropods. he can be found working in the school greenhouse or enjoying his garden, playing local recreational sports, or taking a much needed 3 hour nap. 

Image source: LinkedIn

Kathleen Hansen - President of Huron Valley Audubon Society

In her early teens, Kathleen Henson developed a deep love for birds, drawn to their songs and calls. It was mostly a solitary interest, but that never stopped her from sharing her enthusiasm with anyone willing to listen. At thirteen, she had a memorable encounter with an all-blue bird, complete with a blue bill and feet. Kathleen described it to my parents, who weren’t quite sure what to make of it (or me). Soon after, she purchased the Golden Nature Guide to Birds and was thrilled to identify it as an Indigo Bunting. Kathleen's love and fascination with birds continued into her adult years, so much so that she even had a bird book at her desk and would listen to bird songs and calls while working. After retiring from a 40-year career as a support staff member in two Michigan public school systems, Kathleen began attending meetings of her local Audubon chapter. The Huron Valley Audubon Society (HVAS), founded in 1995, held its meetings at the Kensington Nature Center, and became President in September 2011.

During her tenure, HVAS partnered with Michigan Osprey to support the Osprey Recovery Program at Kensington, including outfitting 22 ospreys with telemetry units. In 2018, HVAS also began collaborating with the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority to install a Motus antenna system at Kensington. The system became operational in October 2019 and has since logged over 50 detections. Together, these initiatives track osprey and other migratory birds, providing valuable data that deepens our understanding of these species and helps guide efforts to support them and the ecosystems they depend on.

Today, HVAS meets on the second Sunday of each month at the Lyon Township Library. As a chapter of Michigan Audubon and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, HVAS welcomes the public to attend its meetings and field trips. 

For more information, visit: facebook.com/HuronValleyAudubonSociety.