principal investigatorS
Lance McNew, Ph.D.
Education:
Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Kansas State University; 2010
M.S., Zoology, emphasis in Wildlife Ecology. Southern Illinois University; 2003
B.S., Zoology, Eastern Illinois University; 2001
Curriculum Vitae
Professional Experience:
Associate Professor, Department of Animal & Range Sciences, MSU; 2020-present
Assistant Professor, Department of Animal & Range Sciences, MSU; 2014-2020
Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center; 2012-14
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Division of Biology, Kansas State University; 2010-12
Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Division of Biology, Kansas State University; 2006-10
Deer Research Biologist, Indiana Department of Natural Resources; 2003-05
Education:
Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Kansas State University; 2010
M.S., Zoology, emphasis in Wildlife Ecology. Southern Illinois University; 2003
B.S., Zoology, Eastern Illinois University; 2001
Curriculum Vitae
Professional Experience:
Associate Professor, Department of Animal & Range Sciences, MSU; 2020-present
Assistant Professor, Department of Animal & Range Sciences, MSU; 2014-2020
Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center; 2012-14
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Division of Biology, Kansas State University; 2010-12
Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Division of Biology, Kansas State University; 2006-10
Deer Research Biologist, Indiana Department of Natural Resources; 2003-05
Jared Beaver, Ph.D.
Education:
Ph.D., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University; 2017
M.S., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, University of Tennessee; 2011
B.S., Biology, Wake Forest University; 2008
Professional Experience:
Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, Department of
Animal and Range Sciences, MSU; 2020-present
Leopold Fellow and Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of
Biology, Wake Forest University; 2018-2020
Distance Education Coordinator and Research Assistant, Texas A&M
Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University; 2014-2017
County Extension Agent and Water and Natural Resources Program
Coordinator, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Bexar County;
2013-2014.
Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University; 2011-2017.
Research Assistant, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas
A&M University – Kingsville; 2011
Grad Research Assistant (M.S.), Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and
Fisheries; University of Tennessee; 2009-2011
Education:
Ph.D., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University; 2017
M.S., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, University of Tennessee; 2011
B.S., Biology, Wake Forest University; 2008
Professional Experience:
Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, Department of
Animal and Range Sciences, MSU; 2020-present
Leopold Fellow and Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of
Biology, Wake Forest University; 2018-2020
Distance Education Coordinator and Research Assistant, Texas A&M
Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University; 2014-2017
County Extension Agent and Water and Natural Resources Program
Coordinator, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Bexar County;
2013-2014.
Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University; 2011-2017.
Research Assistant, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas
A&M University – Kingsville; 2011
Grad Research Assistant (M.S.), Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and
Fisheries; University of Tennessee; 2009-2011
Postdoctoral associates
Amanda Lipinski, Ph.D.
Project: Population ecology of prairie-grouse Education: Ph.D., Natural Resource Science, emphasis in Applied Ecology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; 2019 M.S., Rangeland Ecology and Management, North Dakota State University; 2015 B.S., Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; 2012 Professional Experience: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Montana State University, 2020-present Postdoctoral Instructor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, School of Natural Resources; 2019-2020 Graduate Assistant in Research & Teaching (Ph.D.), Nebraska Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, UNL; 2014-2019 Othmer Research Fellow, UNL; 2014-2016 Graduate Assistant (M.S.), Department of Range Science, North Dakota State University; 2012-2014 |
Graduate Students
Trapper Haynam (Ph.D.)
Project title:
Space use, Movements, and Demography of Greater Sage-grouse in Northcentral Montana
Education:
B.A., Biology (Ecology and Organismal Biology), University of Montana; 2010.
B.S., Geology (Environmental), University of Montana; 2010.
M.S., Systems Ecology, University of Montana; 2017.
Professional Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Department of Animal & Range Sciences, MSU; 2018-present.
Research Biologist, Craighead Beringia South; 2012–2017.
Wildlife Technician, University of Wyoming; 2011
Avian Technician, Craighead Beringia South; 2005–2010.
Project title:
Space use, Movements, and Demography of Greater Sage-grouse in Northcentral Montana
Education:
B.A., Biology (Ecology and Organismal Biology), University of Montana; 2010.
B.S., Geology (Environmental), University of Montana; 2010.
M.S., Systems Ecology, University of Montana; 2017.
Professional Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Department of Animal & Range Sciences, MSU; 2018-present.
Research Biologist, Craighead Beringia South; 2012–2017.
Wildlife Technician, University of Wyoming; 2011
Avian Technician, Craighead Beringia South; 2005–2010.
Elizabeth Leipold (Ph.D.)
Project title: Estimating the Occurrence, Distribution, and Abundance of Dusky Grouse.
Education:
B.S., Biology, Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland; 2011.
M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology, New Mexico State University; 2018.
Professional Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Department of Animal & Range Sciences, MSU; 2018-present.
Project title: Estimating the Occurrence, Distribution, and Abundance of Dusky Grouse.
Education:
B.S., Biology, Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland; 2011.
M.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology, New Mexico State University; 2018.
Professional Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Department of Animal & Range Sciences, MSU; 2018-present.
Morgan Solomon (M.S)
Project Title
Habitat Evaluations for Lesser Prairie-chicken Reintroduction
Education:
B.S., Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, 2015
Professional Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.), Department of Animal and Range Sciences, MSU; 2019-present.
Range Technician, Turner Enterprises, Inc., Montana; 2018 & 2019.
Fisheries Technician, Turner Enterprises, Inc., Montana; 2017.
Fisheries Technician, Idaho Department of Fish & Game, Idaho; 2016.
Wildlife Technician, Stevens Wildlife Consulting, Utah; 2016.
Project Title
Habitat Evaluations for Lesser Prairie-chicken Reintroduction
Education:
B.S., Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, 2015
Professional Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.), Department of Animal and Range Sciences, MSU; 2019-present.
Range Technician, Turner Enterprises, Inc., Montana; 2018 & 2019.
Fisheries Technician, Turner Enterprises, Inc., Montana; 2017.
Fisheries Technician, Idaho Department of Fish & Game, Idaho; 2016.
Wildlife Technician, Stevens Wildlife Consulting, Utah; 2016.
Amber Swicegood (M.S)
Project Title Are Agricultural Cropfileds Ecological Traps for McCown's Longspurs? Education: B.S., Natural Resources, Oregon State University, 2018 Recent Professional Experience: Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.), Department of Animal and Range Sciences, MSU; 2020-present. Seasonal Wildlife Biologist, HWA Wildlife Consulting; 2018-2019. Wildlife Technician, New Mexico State University; 2017. Wildlife Technician, Kansas State University; 2014, 2015-16, 2017. Wildlife Technician, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2017. Wildlife Technician, National Park Service, 2016 |
Undergraduate STUDENTS
Lara Macon
Lara assists with several projects and is developing an independent study evaluating habitat selection by sharp-tailed grouse broods in eastern Montana.
Education:
B.S., Natural Resources & Rangeland Ecology (in progress)
Lara assists with several projects and is developing an independent study evaluating habitat selection by sharp-tailed grouse broods in eastern Montana.
Education:
B.S., Natural Resources & Rangeland Ecology (in progress)
Lab alumni
- Megan Milligan (Ph.D. 2019). Effects of livestock grazing management on the ecology of sharp-tailed grouse in mixed-grass prairie habitats. Megan is a Research Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Bozeman, MT.
- John Pulliam (M.S. 2019). Associations of broad scale vegetation characteristics and abundances, nest densities, and nest survival of mixed-grass songbirds in northern Montana. John is currently a Wildlife Technician at Utah State University.
- Elisabeth Krieger (B.S. 2019). Evaluating the effects of grazing management on insect biomass in the northern mixed-grass prairie. Elisabeth is currently working as a seasonal wildlife technician in the West.
- Sam Wyffels (Ph.D. 2018). Effects of protein supplementation and dormant season grazing on cattle behavior, rangeland condition, and animal performance in northern mixed-grass prairie. Sam is currently an Assistant Research Professor at MSU's Northern Agricultural Research Center.
- Torrey Ritter (M.S. 2018). Ecosystem Pioneers: beaver dispersal and settlement site selection in the context of habitat restoration. Torrey is currently a Non-game Wildlife Biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in Missoula, MT.
- Brittani Johnson (M.S. 2018). Permeability of three-strand electric fences by black bears and grizzly bears. Brittani is a Regional Wildlife Biologist with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in Salmon, ID.
- Skyler Vold (M.S. 2018). Effects of livestock grazing management on the ecology of grassland birds and their predators in a northern mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. Skyer works as the Sage-grouse Conservation Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Hines, OR.
- Smith L. Wells (M.S. 2017). Livestock depredation by grizzly bears on forest service grazing allotments in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Smith is a GIS specialist with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in Helena, MT.
