Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Graduate Students
| Student Name: Acevedo-Charry, Orlando Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: oacevedocharry@ufl.edu Advisor: Acevedo & Robinson Research: Tropical ecology and conservation, bird communities and population trends, biodiversity response to environmental gradients, citizen science and community-based monitoring linked with quantitative tools Interests: Outdoors activities such as hiking, birding (not competitive, just for fun), herping, sound recording and some of photography. I am also enjoying dancing (mostly salsa) as well as friendly conversations with a coffee, wine, or a beer on the hand |
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| Student Name: Aguilar, Trenton Degree: PhD Email: trenton.aguilar@ufl.edu Advisor: Carthy, Allen Research: Sea turtle ecology |
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| Student Name: Baecher, Alex Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: jbaecher@ufl.edu Advisor: Scheffers Research: Amphibian Conservation and Ecology Interests: Herping, hiking, swimming & canoeing, coding & data visualization, his fiancée—Kristin, his dog—Ollie, cooking, and brewing kombucha |
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| Student Name: Beatty, Meghan Degree: PhD Email: meghan.beatty@ufl.edu Advisor: Fletcher Research: Spatial ecology, population biology and conservation of Southeastern American Kestrels (Falco sparverius paulus), movement ecology and conservation of snail kites Interests: Birding, camping, reading, dance, travel, country music |
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| Student Name: Botero Arias, Robinson Degree: PhD Email: robin@ufl.edu Advisor: Loiselle, Ross Research: Population Dynamics, Reproduction Ecology and Strategic Management for Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) in the Middle Solimðes River, Mamiraua Reserve, Brazil Interests: Conservation and management strategies for natural resource in Amazon; Caimans, crocodilians and Alligators, wildlife research |
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| Student Name: Chen, Po-An Degree: PhD Email: poanchen@ufl.edu Advisor: Sieving Research: Informationscapes ecology in family Paridae Interests: birding, watching movies, tasting delicious food as well as cooking |
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| Student Name: Cooke, Sarah Degree: MS (SNRE) Email: sarahkcooke@ufl.edu Advisor: Mazzotti Research: Spatial ecology and management of non-native herpetofauna in southern Florida Interests: Scuba diving, herping, traveling- basically any outdoor activity and music |
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| Student Name: Cruz-Hernández, Virnaliz Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: virnaliz.cruzher@ufl.edu Advisor: Acevedo Research: Disease ecology, spillover prediction, data science Interests: Jigsaw puzzles, jogging with dogs, swimming, beach, and learning to program |
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| Student Name: Dumandan, Patricia Kaye Tahura Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: pdumandan@ufl.edu Advisor: Ernest Research: ecological dynamics of wildlife assemblages Interests: population and community ecology, ecological modelling, painting, swimming, hiking, running |
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| Student Name: Elmquist, Lara Degree: MS Email: lelmquist@ufl.edu Advisor: Fletcher Research: breeding behavior, foraging ecology, and conservation of snail kites Interests: birding, going to the beach, board games, watching movies, spending time with friends over good food and drinks |
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| Student Name: Fluck-Essig, Isadora Degree: PhD Email: ifluckessig@ufl.edu Advisor: Baiser Research: Theoretical, methodological, and applied aspects of community ecology; general research interests: ornithology, comparative methods/approaches, ecological and spatial distribution of neotropical taxa, patterns and processes driving species diversity, and environmental diversity gradients Interests: My main personal interests fall into nature research, but I am also interested in arts. In my free time, besides birdwatching, I enjoy reading books about art history, drawing (especially birds) and crafting |
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| Student Name: Franklin, Laura Degree: PhD Email: laurafranklin@ufl.edu Advisor: Lashley Research: Understanding factors that influence white-tailed deer population dynamics in Osceola Wildlife Management Area Interests: Hiking, canoeing, sifting through field guides, tracking critters, coffee, my pet rats (Rosie, Petunia, Lily, and Daisy), the American Southwest, Sarah Jarosz (musician), Hamilton the musical, podcasts (Lore and Park Predators are my favorite series), favorite book: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, trivia, solo adventuring in my Subaru, pizza, and my Rez Dog, Zona. |
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| Student Name: Furst, Alex Degree: MS Email: alex.furst@ufl.edu Advisor: Ellington Research: The assessment of Argentine Black and White Tegu abundance, habitat use, and their impacts on native wildlife. Interests: Camping, fishing, hiking, herping, watching sports |
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| Student Name: Ghimirey, Yadav Degree: PhD Email: yadavghimirey@ufl.edu Advisor: Oli Research: Carnivore ecology and interaction in the mid-hills of Nepal with a special focus on felid species Interests: I like spending time with my family, play football (soccer) and listen to songs |
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| Student Name: Grace, Savannah Degree: PhD Email: savannah.grace@ufl.edu Advisor: Wisely & Austin Research: Disease ecology with a focus on how genetic variation within Florida white-tailed deer populations affect susceptibility to epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) infection Interests: Exploring with my husband and dogs, swimming, traveling, and catching up on good TV |
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| Student Name: Gulick, Christopher Degree: PhD Email: cgulick@ufl.edu Advisor: Powell Research: Using spatial data of wildlife to inform conservation at the ecosystem or community level Interests: Fishing, hiking, hunting, and birding in his free time |
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| Student Name: Hari Haran, Priyanka Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: phariharan1@ufl.edu Advisor: Bruna Research: The effect of forest fragmentation and restoration on bird communities of the Western Ghats mountain range, India Interests: Reading, writing, cooking, singing, birding, and science communication |
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| Student Name: Haro, Daniel Degree: PhD Email: dharo@ufl.edu Advisor: Romagosa Research: Ecophysiology, herpetology, management of Argentine black and white tegus Interests: Reading, writing, visiting museums, and boxing |
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| Student Name: Hengstebeck, Kodiak Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: khengste@ufl.edu Advisor: Romagosa Research: Occupancy rates of Burmese Pythons in Gopher Tortoise burrows, and how it affects the resident tortoises Interests: Scuba diving, backpacking, and playing sports (hockey, volleyball, football, etc.) |
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| Student Name: Herren, Rick Degree: PhD Email: rherren@ufl.edu Advisor: Carthy Research: Sea turtle population dynamics and foraging habitats in the Gulf of Mexico out of the Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key Interests: Surfing, hiking, diving, computer games and playing ultimate Frisbee |
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| Student Name: Hussain, Lameace Degree: MS Email: lhussain1@ufl.edu Advisor: Morales Research: My research focuses on DEI issues with outreach approaches used by state wildlife agencies-- i.e how well do state wildlife agencies take into account BIPOC and other marginalized communities when doing outreach activities and programs, focusing on biases and barriers of both the agency and those communities Interests: I'm a herpetologist both professionally and for fun, so my favorite activities including hiking around looking for reptiles and amphibians. I also enjoy kayaking and going to music events. Fun fact: I hosted a bluegrass radioshow for a couple of years when I lived in Kentucky |
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| Student Name: Jeffery, Brian Degree: PhD Email: bjeffe01@ufl.edu Advisor: Fletcher Research: Ecology of snail kites Interests: My personal interests are photography, boating, fishing, and camping |
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| Student Name: Juarez-Sanchez, Diego Degree: PhD Email: adjuarez@ufl.edu Advisor: Romagosa Research: The influence of landscape and human activities over the presence of otters in two rivers in northern Guatemala Interests: Carnivores ecology and population dynamics |
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| Student Name: Klinges, David Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: dklinges@ufl.edu Advisor: Scheffers Research: Tropical landscape ecology, Spatial and temporal scaling, Forest microclimate, Ecological forecasting Interests: Hiking, camping, skiing, herping, and most other things you'd expect of an Ecology student |
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| Student Name: Kyasiimire, Beatrice Degree: PhD Email: be.kyasiimire@ufl.edu Advisor: Hostetler Research: Ecological and Social costs of linear infrastructure development in Protected areas, Uganda. Interests: Reading, listening to Music, Cooking, Wildlife watching, Nature walks, Watching games (football) and Family time. |
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| Student Name: Lasky, Monica Degree: PhD Email: lasky.monica@ufl.edu Advisor: McCleery Research: Behavioral ecology of African wildlife Interests: Horseback riding, hiking, and traveling |
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| Student Name: Lamichhane, Saneer Degree: PhD Email: slamichhane@ufl.edu Advisor: Oli Research: Tiger occupancy inside and outside of protected areas, the spatiotemporal pattern of interactions between tigers, human, prey, and sympatric carnivores, and whether human disturbance effects tiger and prey population dynamics. Interests: Playing guitar |
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| Student Name: Manes, Constanza Degree: PhD Email: c.manes@ufl.edu Advisor: Carthy Research: Environmental drivers behind cancer disease (Fibropapillomatosis) in sea turtles Interests: Running, practicing martial arts, jigsaw puzzles, reading, music |
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| Student Name: Manning, Morgan Degree: PhD Email: morgan.manning@ufl.edu Advisor: Acevedo Research: Modeling mammal responses to disturbance and potential for sustainable harvest in Amazonian indigenous territories Interests: Quantitative ecology, computer programming, SCUBA diving, cooking, and going on walks with my Great Dane, June |
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| Student Name: McKee, Rebecca Degree: PhD Email: rmckee@ufl.edu Advisor: McCleery Research: Mammalian responses to invasive Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades |
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| Student Name: Miller, Storm Degree: MS Email: storm.miller@ufl.edu Advisor: McCleery Research: evaluate and develop novel approaches to attract and improve upon detection methods of the invasive Burmese Python Interests: Weightlifting, cycling, camping, and playing the guitar. |
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| Student Name: Morales, Manuel Degree: PhD Email: mmoralesm@ufl.edu Advisor: Morales |
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| Student Name: Poot, Celso Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: cpoot@ufl.edu Advisor: Ober Research: The Ecology and Conservation of the Central American tapir, (Tapirus bairdii) in Belize Corridor: A Human Dominated Landscape Interests: Road ecology, landscape ecology, hiking, nature photography, traveling and ecotourism |
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| Student Name: Prommer, Matyas Degree: PhD (SRNE) Email: mprommer@ufl.edu Advisor: Oli Research: Interdisciplinary conservation of large falcons |
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| Student Name: Ramis, Fatima Degree: PhD Email: fatima72995@ufl.edu Advisor: Morales & Hallett Research: Human Dimensions of Human – Wildlife interactions focusing on the West Indian Manatee Interests: Being outside near any body of water, looking for snakes, and coffee! |
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| Student Name: Restrepo-Cardona, Juan Degree: PhD Email: juan.restrepo@ufl.edu Advisor: Hull Research: : Biodiversity conservation and use, ecology, human dimensions, and raptors. Interests: Outdoors activities such as hiking, running, and traveling. I enjoy drinking a good beer, meeting friendly people, and writing. |
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| Student Name: Richardson, Matthew Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: mattrich2387@ufl.edu Advisor: Pine and Martin Research: Spatially ecology, restoration |
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| Student Name: Rogers, Nathan Degree: MS Email: nathanrogers@ufl.edu Advisor: Pine Research: Site Occupancy of Oyster Reefs in Cedar Key Interests: Traveling, Snowboarding, Camping, Football, Live Music |
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| Student Name: Rojas-Bonzi, Viviana Degree: PhD Email: vrojasbonzi@ufl.edu Advisor: Hull and Branch Research: Species interactions and human-wildlife interactions in the Paraguayan Dry Chaco |
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| Student Name: Sanders, Ryan Degree: MS Email: bryver@ufl.edu Advisor: Sieving Research: Protection and management methods of large carnivore and big game species in the Western United States Interests: Hiking, backpacking, music, cooking, reading |
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| Student Name: Serano, Jaren Degree: MS Email: jclaude.serano@ufl.edu Advisor: Carthy Research: This study will be examining how human interventions such as beach renourishment affects natural coastal processes and resilience. Primarily, examining how gas exchange relates to sea turtle nesting, dune building and carbon sequestration Interests: Wildlife Enthusiast, Conservation Biology, Ornithology, Natural Science. Appreciates long hikes |
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| Student Name: Soifer, Lydia Degree: PhD Email: lydia.soifer@ufl.edu Advisor: Scheffers Research: Tropical spatial ecology, three-dimensional biogeography, microclimate ecology, vertical distributions, epiphytes Interests: Any outdoor activities, including hiking, gardening, birding, and camping. I also enjoy reading, running, and dance. |
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| Student Name: Stanley, Rick Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: rstanley@ufl.edu Advisor: Loiselle Research: Bird conservation, spatial ecology, habitat use in human-modified landscapes, avian behavioral ecology, sociality, and sexual selection |
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| Student Name: Teryda, Natalia Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: nteryda@ufl.edu Advisor: Carthy Research: Conservation oriented in marine turtles Interests: Cooking, traveling to new places, making macrame jewelry, symphonic metal, outdoor activities, turtle and tortoise conservation |
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| Student Name: Troy, Savannah Degree: PhD (SNRE) Email: savannah.troy@ufl.edu Advisor: Fletcher Research: Avian biodiversity conservation, landscape ecology |
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| Student Name: Ubeda, Armando Degree: PhD Email: aubeda@ufl.edu Advisor: Main Research: The movement of elasmobranchs, specifically spatial segregation patterns of sharks and rays by size and sex Interests: Hiking, camping, foraging mushrooms, surfing, scuba diving, fishing, traveling, reading, writing, music, grilling, traditional karate, and soccer. |
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| Student Name: Xiong, Peter Degree: MS Email: pxiong@ufl.edu Advisor: Romagosa Research: Bait/lure assessment and trap optimization for management of the Argentine black and white tegu Interests: Diving, spearfishing, cooking, and photography |
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| Student Name: Zhang, Ke Degree: PhD Email: kezhang1122@ufl.edu Advisor: Powell Research: Apply genetic method and spatial analysis in answering ecological questions Interests: Cooking, swimming, cross fit, live music, and watching movies |
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| Student Name: Zuluaga, Marlyn Degree: PhD Email: mzuluagaegas@ufl.edu Advisor: Loiselle Research: The effects of fire disturbance regime and white-tailed deer populations on longleaf pine ecosystems Interests: Hiking, camping, really anything outdoors, wildlife rehabilitation, (watching) hockey, cooking, learning new things |
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