Caz Taylor Ph.D. (Professor). I am a population ecologist. I use mathematical or computational methods combined with field experiments to investigate the dynamics of species. I am particularly interested in how movements of species that are spatially distributed affect their population dynamics. I work on theoretical investigations using network models to describe migratory species. In my most recent work, I am branching out into sustainability science and interdisciplinary studies of socio-ecological systems.
Kiara Valentine (Ph.D. Student). I earned a B.S. in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University where I learned basic field techniques and conservation management. In the more recent years after obtaining my B.S. degree I have developed teaching skills in the environmental education programs at both St. Marks NWR and St. Vincent NWR. While at St. Marks NWR I assisted in monitoring the nest cavities of Dryobates borealis and capturing Ambystoma cingulatum adults for genetic sampling. At St. Vincent NWR, I monitored the effects of predator control on four beach-nesting birds and marine turtles in addition to working on various other conservation projects. My research interests lay in the breeding ecology and ethology of shorebirds and seabirds. In my PhD studies, I would like to explore the effects of human disturbance on mesopredator movements and shorebird/seabird nesting success.
Eliana Montenegro-Pazmino (Ph.D. Student)
Meirun Zhang (Ph.D. Student)
Jay Barras (Undergraduate, Honors student)
Former Lab Members