Leading an ongoing research project studying the range-wide population declines of the insectivorous, crepuscular Eastern whip-poor-will in central Illinois. I am studying various aspects of whip-poor-will life history, including their post-fledging survival and behavior, breeding season space use, and their use of torpor in the Midwest. Findings from this study will contribute to the degree requirements for my Masters program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Banded ~1200 passerines and near passerines on long-term migration study. Extracted birds from mist nest arrays, banded them with aluminum USGS bands, and determined sex and age from plumage characteristics.

Contributed to Point Blue’s long-term landbird study at Palomarin Field Station through nest searching and territory mapping for all breeding bird species on site. Nest searched for all breeding passerine species on study grid, with an emphasis on Priority I species: wrentits, Wilson’s warblers, song sparrows, and Nuttall’s white-crowned sparrows. Developed territory maps for all breeding species based on detailed observational data. Color banded nestlings of Priority species and determined fledgling survival. Target netted for adult birds on grid. Meticulous data entry and management to maintain integrity of long-term data sets. Developed critical thinking and science communication skills with intern cohort through regular literature discussion and capstone research projects

I assisted Audubon Minnesota’s Red-Headed Woodpecker Recovery Project through monitoring cavity nests, performing captures, and radio tracking individuals. Attached location devices, collect blood samples, and band new birds during capture protocol. Implemented radio telemetry equipment to track movements and document survival of both adult and juvenile woodpeckers within the reserve. Responsible for intensive data collection and management. Collaborated closely with volunteer citizen scientists from Audubon.

I assisted on a graduate research project that was assessing demographic data and health status of river turtle species in the Kalamazoo River, 9 years after a destructive oil spill. With my research crew, I set out aquatic traps, hand-caught turtles from motorized boats, and tracked movements of adult female turtles using radio telemetry equipment. Working 7 days a week, often in inclement weather, I was able to strengthen my work ethic and flexibility as a field researcher. Additional projects: drawing blood from individuals to assess white blood cell count; locating and protecting turtle nests.

I supported the biology staff at Carolina Sandhills NWR in avian conservation and management, specifically with red-cockaded woodpeckers and mourning doves. I gathered information on the RCW population at the refuge through monitoring of nest sites, nestling bandings, and fledge checks of each clutch. I have significant experience handling wildlife during bandings of both RCW and doves for DNR’s annual population survey. Additional projects: wildlife habitat surveys within longleaf pine ecosystems; setting out frog call loggers to assess the refuge’s populations of pine barrens tree frogs.