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Topics for the Classroom:
- General ecology
- Environment and ecosystems
- River otter biology
- Yellowstone ecology
- Invasive species
- Science fair topics and development
- Careers in wildlife biology
Education:
- B.S. in Wildlife Science, Oregon State University
- M.S. in Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
- Ph.D. Candidate in Ecology
Current Research:
I study the ecology of river otters in Yellowstone National Park. Otters in the Yellowstone Lake ecosystem depend heavily on native cutthroat trout as food. However, illegally-introduced lake trout have contributed to a severe decline in the lake's cutthroat trout population. My research seeks to understand how declines in cutthroat trout may affect the abundance and distribution of otters in Yellowstone Lake. In addition, I am interested in how these recent changes to the Yellowstone Lake food web may extend beyond the lake to affect terrestrial ecosystem processes. Currently, I am using DNA from otter hair and scat to monitor changes in Yellowstone Lake's otter population since the decline in cutthroat trout. I am also measuring nitrogen isotopes in tree rings collected from otter scent-marking sites to investigate whether nitrogen contributions from otters have changed with historical changes in the cutthroat trout population.
Background:
I bring 5 years of teaching biology, and a decade of experience in ecological research, to the UW Science Posse. I study and teach how organisms interact with their environment, so I am interested in taking students outdoors as well as conducting classroom-based lessons. Through a combination of PowerPoint lectures, hands-on activities in the classroom, field sampling, and discussion I will explore topics including: general ecology, predator-prey population dynamics, ecosystems, food webs, environmental change, and research techniques in ecology and wildlife biology.
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