People

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

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

Postdoctoral Associates

For inquiries visit our Contact page or contact WHEL Principal Investigator Lance McNew, Ph.D.

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.

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:
Fisheries Technician: May 2018-June 2018
Bell’s Vireo and Willow Flycatcher Nesting Ecology Technician: May 2015-August 2015
Lesser Prairie Technician for Kansas State University: September 2014-May 2015; September 2013-December 2013; February 2013-May 2013
Vegetation Survey Technician: October 2013
Shrubland Nesting Ecology Technician: May 2013-August 2013
Elk Habitat Assessment Field Technician: May 2012-September 2012
Lesser Prairie Chicken Trapping Technician: March 2012-May 2012
Stream Monitoring Intern: May 2009-August 2009; May 2011-August 2011
General Teachers Aide within Lab Classes: August 2009-December 2009; August 2007-May 2009

Click here for detailed work.

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.

Hunter Stier (M.S.)

Project Title:
Utility and validation of ESD soil sampling within sage-grouse habitats in Northcentral Montana

Education:
B.S., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 2013

Professional Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.), Department of Animal and Range Sciences, MSU; 2020-present
Wildlife Research Assistant, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, MSU; 2019 & 2020
Wildlife Technician, Yellowstone Wolf and Cougar Project, 2019 & 2020
Wildlife Assistant, Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, 2018
Wildlife and Habitat Consultant, Independent Contractor, 2013-18

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

Olivia Jakabosky
Olivia assists the lab in outreach, presentation, and social engagement. She is currently evaluating the effects of anthropogenic structures, such as roads and trails, on Western Montana grouse abundance. In addition, she is working on a interdisciplinary ecological-sociological study regarding the effects of electric cables on the behaviour of black-and-gold howler monkeys in Pilar, Paraguay.

Education:
B.S., Conservation Biology & Ecology with Sociology & Global Studies minor (in progress)

Professional Experience:
Primatology Intern, Para La Tierra, Pilar, Paraguay 2021
Lab Technician, Debinski Lab, Montana State University 2019
Lab Assistant, Cross Lab, Montana State University 2020

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Lab Alumni

Amanda Lipinkski (Postdoc 2021). Integrated population model for sharp-tailed grouse.
Lara Macon (B.S. 2020). Habitat selection by sharp-tailed grouse broods in relation to rangeland indicators. Lara is a rangeland ecologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
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.