Mark Cook, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

West Palm Beach, Florida Area

Section Lead for the Systemwide Everglades Research group, a team of eight ecologists and biologists conducting restoration related research in the Everglades and Florida Bay.Design and direct wildlife related research for guiding Everglades restoration and water management decisions. The research is aimed at understanding the wetland ecosystem processes that control populations of migratory wetland birds, with particular emphasis on hydrology and nutrients. Develop and maintain… Show more Section Lead for the Systemwide Everglades Research group, a team of eight ecologists and biologists conducting restoration related research in the Everglades and Florida Bay.Design and direct wildlife related research for guiding Everglades restoration and water management decisions. The research is aimed at understanding the wetland ecosystem processes that control populations of migratory wetland birds, with particular emphasis on hydrology and nutrients. Develop and maintain successful collaborative projects and relationships with multiple institutions (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Audubon Society, various universities).Write scientific papers for peer reviewed journals and reports for management.Coordinate the wildlife research program at the Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) facility, a 30-ha physical model system of the Everglades (four 7-ha macrocosms) used for multidisciplinary studies of wading birds and aquatic fauna, tree islands, vegetation communities, and peat soils.Editor and contributor to the multi-agency annual South Florida Wading Bird Report, the official data source (nesting and wintering populations) for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (2005-present).Communicate avian research and restoration issues with local and national media.Initiated, developed, implemented, and managed scientific contracts with a total value over $1.1 million. Scientific advisor to restoration managers and other agencies on focal migratory bird species.Technical advisor on the strategic goals and wildlife jurisdictional matters of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to Senior Planners, the Office of Council and the Executive Office.Implement programs to accelerate the recovery of phosphorous impacted regions of the Everglades for the benefit of wildlife as mandated by the Everglades Forever Act. Show less

West Palm Beach, Florida

Design and direct wildlife related research for guiding Everglades restoration and water management decisions. The research is aimed at understanding the wetland ecosystem processes that control populations of migratory wetland birds, with particular emphasis on hydrology and nutrients. Develop and maintain successful collaborative projects and relationships with multiple institutions (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Audubon Society, various… Show more Design and direct wildlife related research for guiding Everglades restoration and water management decisions. The research is aimed at understanding the wetland ecosystem processes that control populations of migratory wetland birds, with particular emphasis on hydrology and nutrients. Develop and maintain successful collaborative projects and relationships with multiple institutions (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Audubon Society, various universities).Write scientific papers for peer reviewed journals and reports for management.Coordinate the wildlife research program at the Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) facility, a 30-ha physical model system of the Everglades (four 7-ha macrocosms) used for multidisciplinary studies of wading birds and aquatic fauna, tree islands, vegetation communities, and peat soils.Editor and contributor to the multi-agency annual South Florida Wading Bird Report, the official data source (nesting and wintering populations) for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (2005-present).Contributor to the annual South Florida Ecosystem Report (www.sfwmd.gov). Expert reviewer/assessor for all avian related RECOVER (Everglades Restoration) research projects and documents.Communicate avian research and restoration issues with local and national media.Initiated, developed, implemented, and managed scientific contracts with a total value over $1.1 million. Scientific advisor to restoration managers and other agencies on focal migratory bird species.Technical advisor on the strategic goals and wildlife jurisdictional matters of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to Senior Planners, the Office of Council and the Executive Office.Implement programs to accelerate the recovery of phosphorous impacted regions of the Everglades for the benefit of wildlife as mandated by the Everglades Forever Act. Show less

West Palm Beach, Florida

Berkeley, California

Examined the role of environmental constraints (biotic and abiotic) on avian reproductive strategies using an altitudinal gradient in Puerto Rico. Initiated and developed experiments and collaborations (U.S. Forest Service, University of Puerto Rico) to investigate effects of microbial infection and ambient temperatures on avian incubation patterns. Initiated a study to examine the potential consequences of invasive Africanized bee populations for cavity nesting endemic birds… Show more Examined the role of environmental constraints (biotic and abiotic) on avian reproductive strategies using an altitudinal gradient in Puerto Rico. Initiated and developed experiments and collaborations (U.S. Forest Service, University of Puerto Rico) to investigate effects of microbial infection and ambient temperatures on avian incubation patterns. Initiated a study to examine the potential consequences of invasive Africanized bee populations for cavity nesting endemic birds such as the Endangered Puerto Rican Parrot. Monitored, captured, banded and extracted blood samples from Marbled Murrelets off the northern California coast.Helped initiate a graduate project on egg viability in Tree Swallows and Mountain Blue Birds in Mendocino County, California.Provided statistical advice and analyzed data on human tree-use in Africa using information theoretical approaches.Supervised full-time field and laboratory technicians plus two USDA Forest Service personnel for three six-month field seasons (2000-02). Committee member for a graduate student at the University Of Puerto Rico, San Juan. Show less

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Avian Behavioral Ecology

Studied breeding strategies of Black Guillemots Cepphus grylle on the Orkney Islands, northern Scotland. Focused primarily on causes.

Master Of Science (M.Sc.), Ecology

Experimentally examined the relationship between food supply and provisioning strategy in the Atlantic Puffin on the Isle of May, Scotland.

Bachelor Of Science (B.Sc.), Zoology/Marine Zoology

BSc in Zoology/Marine Zoology