William Severud

William Severud is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University (SDSU). He is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® focusing on wildlife management, population dynamics, and ecological interactions. His research emphasizes large mammalian species like bison, moose, and deer, with a focus on disease, movement patterns, and predator-prey dynamics. He collaborates with Tribal agencies to address subsistence and culturally significant species conservation.

Education:

• B.A. in Biology, Carleton College
• M.S. in Biology, Northern Michigan University
• Ph.D. in Natural Resources Science and Management - Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Minnesota

Research Interests: His work integrates field methods such as GPS collars, conservation detection dogs, and tissue sampling to study animal health and population dynamics. Key themes include parasite transmission via mineral licks, moose reproductive physiology, and impacts of forest management on wildlife disease vectors. He prioritizes community-driven conservation, particularly with Indigenous partnerships.

Teaching & Service:

• Teaches courses on wildlife management techniques, population dynamics, and tribal fisheries/wildlife management.
• Professional memberships include The Wildlife Society and American Society of Mammalogists.

Labs & Facilities: Based in the McFadden Biostress Laboratory (Room 143), his lab emphasizes applied ecological research with a focus on actionable management outcomes.