Maggie Batton Email & Phone Number

my background spans from field work to data analysis and project management. in my time as the Enhanced Rabies Surveillance (ERS) technician for the USDA, I frequently communicated with federal, state, and local cooperators to monitor and test for wildlife rabies in the state of Vermont. I collected biological samples to test for rabies virus and other diseases such as tularemia and canine distemper. I handled and entered data into databases and assisted in writing quarterly and yearly reports. Currently I'm pursuing a Master's degree in Natural Resources with a Wildlife Biology concentration in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. my research focuses on improving oral rabies vaccination (ORV) strategies in urban areas using varying methodologies. My study uses trail cameras to identify rabies vaccine bait fate. in addition to the camera study I am assessing the effectiveness of using a new (to Vermont) baiting method in addition to our traditional ORV strategies at increasing seroconversion rates in raccoons. I will be using modeling techniques to predict specific vaccination outcomes and to inform Cooperators on effective ORV management strategies in urban environments. In my time with the USDA, I have also designed an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) management research study in collaboration with the University of Vermont while pursuing my Master's degree. this project led me to coordinate and manage a large scale trapping project that took place over four 10-day periods in an urban environment from 2021-2022. I also assisted in coordinating oral vaccination efforts in Burlington, Vermont. These projects involve working with heavy amounts of data in excel and in ArcGIS Pro that require significant attention to detail, organization, and have drilled in the importance of data cleaning. I designed and organized a camera trapping research project in Burlington, Vermont from 2021 to 2022. After spending significant time designing the study, I deployed and checked 100 cameras per season. due to the large number of cameras deployed, this project required two technicians (myself and one other) to carry out. I oversaw the technicians duties related to this project as well. I also have a range of technical skills that I have gained in my 6 years in the field as a wildlife technician. some of my experience includes trapping mesocarnivores, opossum telemetry, camera trapping, collecting biological samples for disease testing, wildlife handling, bird banding, and mist-netting.