Past Students and Researchers

Boone and Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center at Michigan State University

Post-Doctoral Associates 
  • Aniruddha Belsare - 2019-2020 - Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Emory University.
  • Sonja Christensen - 2017-2020 - Current position: Research Specialist, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University.
  • Joanne Crawford - 2017-2019 - Current position: Wildlife Research Biologist, Minnesota DNR.
  • Chad Parent - 2013 - 2016 - Current position: Statistician and harvest survey coordinator, North Dakota Fish and Game. 
  • Amy Dechen Quinn - 2010 – 2011 - Current position: Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Science, State University of New York - Cobleskill.
  • David Williams - 2010 – 2012 - Current position: Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Boone and Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center, Michigan State University.

​​Doctoral Degree 
  • Jonathan Cook, Ph.D. 2020 - Risk, uncertainty and decision-making: assessing chronic wasting disease occurrence risk across an emergence spectrum. Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Center. 
  • Kathryn Frens, Ph.D. 2020 - Conservation in a full world: exploring the relationships among land use policy, human communities, and ecological integrity in the northern forest. Current position: Fishery Management Specialist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
  • Rebecca Cain, Ph.D. 2020  - Evaluating the impacts of landscape and management change on the abundance and distribution of record book white-tailed deer across a large geographic region. Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Mississippi State University Deer Lab. 
  • Sonja Christensen, Ph.D. 2017 - Population impacts and disease patterns of hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer: understanding the role of an emergent disease. Current position: Research Specialist, Michigan State University. 
  • Andrew Crosby, Ph.D. 2017 - Conserving avian biodiversity on managed forest landscapes: the importance of pattern and scale. Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Alberta. 
  • Bryan Stevens, Ph.D. 2016 - Structural uncertainty and the management of modern wild turkey harvests. Current position: Research Scientist, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho. 
  • Andrea Bowling - Ph.D. 2014 - Landscape-level effects of weather and land cover on wild turkey abundance, productivity, and regional harvest potential in New York State. Current position: Lecturer, California State University, Dominguez Hills.
  • Marta Jarzyna - Ph.D. 2014 - Macroecology of breeding birds of New York State: Influences of climate change, landscape fragmentation, and spatial scale.  Current position: Assistant Professor, Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University. 
  • Nathan Snow - Ph.D. 2014 - Hotspots, underreporting, and dynamic space-time influences of wildlife-vehicle collisions.  Current position: Research Biologist, USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center. Fort Collins, CO.  

Masters Degree 
  • Ashley Huinker - M.S. 2020 - American woodcock habitat selection and reproductive success in Michigan. Current position: Farm Bill Biologist, Pheasants Forever.
  • Jennifer Smith - M.S. 2018 - Context matters for black bears: evaluating spatially-explicit density estimators and trade-offs in resource selection. Current position: Forests and Climate Coordinator and Communications Specialist, John Muir Institute of the Environment, University of California, Davis.
  • Jodi Kreuser - M.S. 2013 - Climate change, range shifts, and differential guild responses of Michigan breeding birds.  63 pp.  Current position: Registered Nurse, Eau Claire, WI. 

Undergraduate Research Assistants
  • Garrett Knowlton - B.S. 2020 - Assessing patterns in reporting of white-tailed deer records to the Boone and Crockett Club.
  • Hunter Stanke - B.S. 2019 - Connecting the dots: a landscape approach for Michigan CWD. Current position: Ph.D. student, University of Washington. 
  • Steven Gurney - B.S. 2018 - Behavioral ecology of black bears in the Upper Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Current position: M.S. Student, Michigan State University. 
  • Sydney Manning - B.S. 2017 - Developing realistic wild turkey management models: effects of observation uncertainty and regulation cycle. Current position: M.S. student, North Texas Health Science Center. 
  • Kali Rush - B.S. 2016 - Assessing habitat-specific detection probabilities for white-tailed deer. Current position: Regional Biologist, Ducks Unlimited. 


State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (Advised by William Porter)

Post-Doctoral Associate
  • Richard Lawrence - 1995 – 1997 - Current position: GIS Statewide Program Supervisor, Arizona Game and Fish Department.

​​Doctoral Degree 
  • Megan Kirchgessner - Ph. D. 2012 - Presence and distribution of bovine viral diarrhea virus and Coxiella burnetii in white-tailed deer in the northeastern United States. (co-advised with C. Whipps).  State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Syracuse. 133 pp. Current position: State Wildlife Veterinarian, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
  • David Williams - Ph.D. 2010 - Scales of movement and contact structure of white-tailed deer in central New York. Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.  Syracuse.  140 pp.  Current position: Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Boone and Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center, Michigan State University. 
  • Amy Dechen Quinn - Ph.D. 2010 - Influences of movement behavior and space use in evaluating disease risk among white-tailed deer in central New York.  Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.  Syracuse. 127 pp. Current position: Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Science, State University of New York - Cobleskill.
  • Benjamin Zuckerberg - Ph.D. 2008 - Long-term responses of breeding birds to climate change and reforestation in New YorkState.  Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.  Current position: Associate Professor, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Dawn Gorham - Ph.D. 2005 - Landscape-level analysis of suburban white-tailed deer overabundance.  Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 110 pp. Current position:  Director of Land Preservation, Wildlands Conservancy. 
  • Karl Didier - Ph.D. 2003 - Impact of disturbance and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herbivory on plant community and nutrient dynamics in northern hardwood forests of northern New York State.  Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 170 pp. Current position:  Director of Science & Monitoring, Rainforest Trust. 
  • Kathy Fleming - Ph.D. 2003 - Scale-explicit spatial determinants of population structure in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris).  Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 95 pp.  Current position:  Chief, Branch of Harvest Surveys, US Fish and Wildlife Service-Division of Migratory Bird Management. 
  • Michale Glennon - Ph.D. 2002 - Effects of land-use management on biotic integrity in the Adirondack Park, New York.  Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 135 pp.  Current position: Associate Conservation Scientist, Wildlife Conservation Society.
  • Steve Roberts - Ph.D. 1997 - Relationships between weather and the annual dynamics of wild turkey populations in New York.  Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 95 pp.  Current position: Associate Scientist, Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology, Department of Statistics, Iowa State University.
  • Dale Garner - Ph.D. 1995 - Population ecology of moose in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 99 pp. Current position: Chief, Bureau of Wildlife, Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
  • Kevin Church - Ph.D. 1992 - Comparative ecology of gray partridge in established and translocated ranges of New York.  Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 95 pp.  Current position: Owner, Tallgrass Custom Wood Products. 
  • Brian Underwood - Ph.D. 1990 - Population dynamics of a white-tailed deer population in the central Adirondack mountains of New York: Influences of winter, harvest and population abundance.  Doctoral Dissertation. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 124 pp. Current position: Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, SUNY ESF. 
  • Robin Kruse - Ph.D. 1990 - The dynamics of wildlife habitat in northern hardwood ecosystems in New York’s Adirondack region.  Doctoral Dissertation.  State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 220 pp.  Current position: Research Professor, School of Medicine, University of Missouri - Columbia.
  • Nancy Mathews - Ph.D. 1989 - Social structure, genetic structure and anti-predator behavior of white-tailed deer in the central Adirondacks.  Doctoral Dissertation.  State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 171 pp.  Current position: Professor and Dean, The Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources, The University of Vermont. 
  • Robert Brooks - Ph.D. 1984 - An analysis of the use of national land use inventories for regional avian habitat assessments.  Doctoral Dissertation.  State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. 176 pp.  Current position: Research Wildlife Biologist. US Forest Service, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Masters Degree
  • Brigham Whitman - M.S. 2012- Movement behavior of white-tailed deer in relation to mortality events in a fragmented forest-agriculture landscape.  SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.  58 pp. Current position: Program Specialist, Milwaukee Zoo. 
  • Jonathan Zysik - M.S. 2010 - Using radio telemetry data to calibrate an elk habitat suitability model.  Masters Thesis.  State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.  Syracuse. 58 pp.  Current position: General Dentist, Zysik General Dentistry, Massena, New York.
  • Megan Skrip - M.S. 2010 - Fall-winter survival, habitat, and long-term population change of ruffed grouse in New York State.  Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.  Syracuse.  117 pp.  Current position: Science Communicator, Center for Geospatial Analysis, North Carolina State University. 
  • Matthew Smith - M.S.  2009 - White-tailed deer migration in the Adirondack Park: mechanisms and implications for spread of infectious disease.  Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.  Syracuse.  60 pp. Current position: Senior Environmental Scientist, Anchor QEA.
  • Elizabeth Dowling Danks - M.S. 2008 - An assessment of the impact of residential development on mammal communities in the Adirondacks, New York.  Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. Current position: Adjunct Biology Instructor, Midway University.  
  • Ariel Diggory - M.S. 2008 - Using enduring landscape features and geographic information system to map potential wetlands.  Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.  76 pp.  Current position:  Environmental Program Specialist, Adirondack Park Agency.
  • Anne Woods - M.S. 2007 - Quantifying the relationship between anthropogenic disturbance and biotic integrity in the Adirondack Park. Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.  88 pp.  
  • Zachary Danks - M.S. 2007 - Spatial, temporal and landscape characteristics of moose-vehicle collisions in Maine. Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.   84 pp.  Current Position:   Coordinator, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
  • Jeff Organ - M.S. 2007 - Linking white-tailed deer harvests to population and environmental processes through ecological modeling. Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.  149 pp.  Current Position:  Managing Director, Ecographic Analysis LLC. 
  • Susan Walker - M.S. 2006 - Evaluation of micoclimate within white-tailed deer wintering yards in the central Adirondacks of New York State.  Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.   103 pp. Current Position: Research/Extension Associate, Cornell University.
  • Carolyn Spilman - M.S 2006 - The effects of lakeshore development on common loon productivity in the Adirondack Park, New York.  Masters Thesis.  State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.  50 pp. Current Position: Wildlife Biologist, Audubon New York.
  • Alison Lott - M.S. 2004 - Quantifying the relationship between white-tailed deer and forest regeneration in the central Adirondacks of New York.  Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.  66 pp.  Current position: Mathematics teacher, Wyoming Seminary. 
  • Jeremy Hurst - M. S. 2004 - Evaluation in historical change in white-tailed deer winter yards in the Adirondack region of New York. Masters Thesis. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.  115 pp.   Current position: Big Game Unit Leader, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, New York
  • Sharon Goetz - M.S. 2002 - Statewide habitat assessment for wild turkey in Arkansas.  Current position: Account Executive, Harrington Company. 
  • Brian Miranda - M.S. 2002 - Statewide habitat assessment for white-tailed deer in Arkansas.  Current position:  Ecologist, Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies. USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
  • Anne Oyer - M.S. 2002 - Localized management of white-tailed deer in the Central Adirondack Mountains of New York.  Current position:  Biologist, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 
  • Jennifer Woodard - M.S. 2001 - Localized management of white-tailed deer in a suburban environment.  Current position:  Veterinary assistant.
  • Genevieve Nesslage - M.S. 2000 - An assessment of long-term trends in harvest of white-tailed deer in the Adirondack Park, New York.  Completed doctoral program at Michigan State University in 2005.  Current position:  Assistant Research Professor, Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland. 
  • Brent Rudolph - M.S. 1999 - Evaluating immuno-contraception to control the growth of a free-ranging, suburban deer population in Irondequoit, New York.  Current position: Director of Wildlife Policy, Ruffed Grouse Society. 
  • Bobbi Jo McClain - M.S. 1999 - Evaluating habitat for white-tailed deer in the Adirondack Mountains using satellite imagery. Current position:  Project Biologist, US Army Corp of Engineers. 
  • Karl Didier - M.S. 1998 - Feasibility of restoring elk to New York State.  Current position: Director of Science & Monitoring, Rainforest Trust. 
  • Michale Glennon - M.S. 1997 - Using satellite imagery to assess habitat conditions for wild turkeys on a landscape scale.  Current position: Associate Conservation Scientist, Wildlife Conservation Society.
  • Stacy McNulty - M.S. 1997 - Influence of habitat on recruitment of young in white-tailed deer.  Current position: Associate Director, Adirondack Ecological Center.
  • Clayton Nielsen - M.S. 1996 - Modeling the feasibility of contraceptive management of white-tailed deer.  Completed doctoral program at the University of Southern Illinois in 2001.  Current position: Professor of Forestry, Southern Illinois University.
  • Paul Quinlan - M.S. 1996 - An assessment of wildlife habitat characteristics in Adirondack selection system stands.  Current position: Conservation Resource Supervisor, City of Madison Wisconsin. 
  • Jennifer Fewster (Hill) - M.S. 1995 - Creation of a geographic void in a white-tailed deer population in northern New York.  Current position: High school biology teacher, Florida.
  • Steve Nelson - M.S. 1994 - Ecology of a partially-enclosed, supplementally-fed deer white-tailed deer population.  Current position: Manager of family farm in northwest Iowa.
  • James Schaberl - M.S. 1994 - Assessment of hunting adjacent to park boundaries on the survival and population dynamics of white-tailed deer.  Current position: Division Chief of Natural and Cultural Resources, Shenandoah National Park.
  • Jocelyn Aycrigg - M.S. 1993 - Socio-spatial dynamics of white-tailed deer in the central Adirondack Mountains, New York.  Current position: Conservation Biologist/Research Scientist, Idaho Department of Fish and Wildlife Services and University of Idaho. 
  • Steve Roberts - M. S. 1993 - Survival and reproduction of wild turkeys in south-central New York.  Current position: Associate Scientist, Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology, Department of Statistics, Iowa State University.
  • William Seybold - M.S. 1992 - Ecology and monitoring of white-tailed deer on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Current position: Research Associate, Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho.
  • Daniel Gefell - M.S. 1990 - An exploration of the influence of environmental factors on variation in wild turkey populations.  Current position: Biologist, Syracuse Research Corporation.
  • Dale Garner - M.S. 1989 - Ecology of the moose and feasibility for translocation into the greater Adirondack ecosystem. Current position: Chief, Bureau of Wildlife, Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
  • Mary Bayer Caulway - M.S. 1987 - An analysis of a guild approach to avian habitat assessment.  Current position: Volunteer and Members Coordinator, Greater Worcester Land Trust. 
  • Jody Enck - M.S. 1986 - Brood-rearing ecology of gray partridge in New York. Completed Ph.D. at Cornell University in 1996.  Current position: Advisor and Consultant, Human Dimensions Research Unit at Cornell University.
  • Brian Underwood - M.S. 1986 - Population dynamics of a central Adirondack deer herd.  Current position: Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, SUNY ESF. 
  • Samuel Droege - M.S. 1985 - Response of an Adirondack bird community to understory defoliation.  Current position: Wildlife Biologist with USGS Biological Resources Division, Patuxent, Maryland.
  • Terrance Doyle - M.S. 1983 - Testing the U. S. Forest Service renewable resources evaluation for its suitability in assessing avian habitat - Current position: Refuge Wildlife Biologist with Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, Tok, Alaska.
  • Abby Parness Rudin - M.S. 1982 - Internship with Brukner Nature Center in Troy, Ohio.  Last known position: Teacher, South Orangetown Central School, Mohegan Lake, NY.
  • Nancy Mathews - M.S. 1982 - The capability of U.S. Forest Service resources evaluation in assessing small mammal habitat.  Current position: Professor and Dean, The Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources, The University of Vermont. 
  • Jan Lazarus - M.S. 1982 - Identification of features of wild turkey nest habitat in southeastern Minnesota.  Current position: Research Associate with Dartmouth Medical School.
  • John Hecklau - M.S. 1982 - Feasibility of transplanting wild turkeys into areas of restricted forest cover and high human density.  Current position: Principal, Environmental Design and Research.