Find Academic Supervisors

Marina von KeyserlingkView profile

Professor

• Animal Welfare Science
• Dairy Cattle Welfare
• Farm Animal Behavior
• +3 more

Marina von Keyserlingk is a Professor in Applied Biology within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She serves as Director of the UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre and leads the renowned UBC Animal Welfare Program, one of the largest and most respected animal welfare science programs globally. Her work has significantly influenced dairy farming practices worldwide, particularly in the areas of dairy cow and calf welfare. Dr. von Keyserlingk's research focuses on animal behavior, housing, and management practices and how these contribute to the health and welfare of dairy cattle. Her work spans multiple dimensions of animal welfare science, including: Dairy cattle behavior and cognition Cow-calf separation practices Pain assessment and management in farm animals Public perceptions of farm animal welfare Alternative dairy farming systems Welfare assessment methodologies Her most recent research examines pain responses in calves, lameness assessment techniques, effects of environmental enrichment on calf cognition, and public attitudes toward dairy farming practices. This work demonstrates a strong trend toward integrating scientific assessment of animal welfare with public values and perceptions, recognizing that sustainable animal agriculture must address both scientific and societal concerns. Dr. von Keyserlingk has received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to dairy science and animal welfare: Elanco Award for Excellence in Dairy Science (2013) Metacam Bovine Welfare Award (2013) Canadian Animal Industries Award in Extension & Public Service (2012) 26th Annual World Buiatrics Congress Keynote Speaker (2010) She has supervised numerous graduate students, including Dr. Lexis Ly who recently completed her PhD in 2025. Dr. von Keyserlingk also teaches undergraduate courses including "Animals and Society" and "Research Methods in Applied Animal Biology." Her research program has secured significant funding that supports multiple postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research staff working within the UBC Animal Welfare Program. The UBC Animal Welfare Program, which she helps lead, is currently recruiting PhD students interested in improving the lives of dairy cattle and the people who care for them. The program continues to be at the forefront of animal welfare science, conducting research that has practical applications for improving animal care worldwide.

• Bayesian Statistics
• Ecological Statistics
• Capture-Recapture Modeling
• +5 more

Prof. Ruth King is the Thomas Bayes’ Professor of Statistics at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Mathematics. Her research focuses on applying Bayesian statistical methods to ecological and public health challenges, including population estimation for hidden groups (e.g., injecting drug users, modern-day slaves) and wildlife conservation. She develops computationally efficient techniques for analyzing large datasets, such as spatial capture-recapture models for animal populations and spatio-temporal abundance models for hidden human populations. Key projects include estimating survival rates of guillemots (30,000 individuals) and improving capture-recapture models to account for animal movement dynamics. Her work bridges statistical methodology with real-world applications, emphasizing rigorous inference and scalable algorithms. King’s academic contributions span Bayesian modeling frameworks, parameter clustering in neuroscientific data, and hierarchical centering in random effects models. She collaborates with biologists and policymakers to address conservation and public health issues. Notable recent projects include incorporating memory effects into spatial capture-recapture models and developing semi-complete data augmentation for state-space models. Her interdisciplinary approach addresses challenges in ecology, epidemiology, and computational statistics, with a focus on methodological innovation for large-scale data. Her scientific contributions are highlighted through over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including work on integrated population models, animal movement dynamics, and hidden Markov models for seabird behavior. King emphasizes the importance of statistics in uncovering hidden information within datasets, advocating for robust methodologies that ‘stand up in court’ when applied to critical real-world problems.

David MacdonaldView profile

Professor

• Wildlife Conservation
• Behavioral Ecology
• Environmental Economics
• +4 more

Professor David Macdonald CBE, FRSE is a leading academic in wildlife conservation, currently serving as the Professor of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Oxford and founding director of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU). He holds a visiting professorship at Imperial College and chairs key committees including the Darwin Advisory Committee and Natural England’s Science Advisory Committee. His research integrates behavioral ecology with interdisciplinary approaches, addressing human-wildlife conflict through ecological, economic, and social science lenses. Notable areas include carnivore conservation (e.g., lions, tigers, and Ethiopian wolves) and the impacts of resource distribution on social structures. Awards include the CBE and FRSE. His work emphasizes policy-relevant science, leveraging long-term datasets and innovative tools like CARACAL acoustic monitoring. He advises on global conservation strategies, including responses to illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss. Education details are not explicitly stated, but his academic trajectory reflects advanced training in biological sciences. Research interests span from felid behavior to the socio-economic dimensions of conservation. Key collaborators include Earthwatch and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Students include Adjany Costa (Graduate Student). His contributions extend to policy via roles in advisory boards and advocacy for evidence-based conservation.

Frances StewartView profile

Assistant Professor

• Wildlife Biology
• Conservation and Management
• Ecological Forecasting
• +3 more

Frances Stewart is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in Northern Wildlife Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Science, Department of Biology. She leads the WILDlab research group focusing on applied wildlife biology in northern regions through field projects, modeling, and community collaboration. She holds a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria, and BScH and MSc degrees in Ecology from the University of Guelph. Her research specializes in quantifying wildlife responses to landscape changes using camera trapping, ecological forecasting, and spatial modeling. Current projects investigate species co-occurrence, habitat selection, and biodiversity conservation in Canada's rapidly changing northern ecosystems, with emphasis on integrating Indigenous knowledge. Publications (2019-2024) demonstrate strong focus on wildlife conservation, climate change impacts, and ecological modeling. Dominant themes include boreal caribou conservation, landscape connectivity, anthropogenic disturbance effects, and predictive ecology frameworks. Methodologically, her work combines field data with advanced statistical approaches to inform conservation decisions. Awards and Honors: Canada Research Chair in Northern Wildlife Biology Wilburforce Leader in Conservation Science Canadian Society of Ecology and Evolution Conference Presentation Award (2018) Advising and Grants: Supervises 2 postdoctoral fellows, 3 PhD candidates, and 4 MSc students Secured funding from NSERC, Weston Foundation, POLAR, and MITACS Emphasizes professional development through conference attendance and publication support Lab and Team: Leads the WILDlab (Wildlife Integration for Land use Decisions Lab) with active field projects across northern Canada. The team collaborates with government agencies (Natural Resources Canada), Indigenous communities, and international researchers to address wildlife management challenges in changing northern ecosystems.

• Remote Sensing
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Environmental Monitoring
• +7 more

Giorgos Mountrakis is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). His research focuses on environmental monitoring using remote sensing, environmental modeling through geographic methods, and decision support systems for ecological and urban challenges. He holds a Dipl. Eng. from the National Technical University of Athens (1998), an M.S. (2000), and Ph.D. (2004) from the University of Maine. His work integrates advanced technologies like satellite imagery, LiDAR, and machine learning to address land cover dynamics, climate impacts, and wildlife conservation. Current advisees include Atef Amriche (PhD candidate in Geospatial Information Science), Babak Haji Seyed asadollah (PhD in Environmental Resources Engineering), Ahmadreza Safaeinia (PhD in Environmental Resources Engineering), and Zhixin Wang (PhD in Geospatial Information Science). Key research themes include: land use/cover classification using deep neural networks, climate change impacts on forests and rangelands, and optimizing spatial-temporal models for large-scale environmental analysis. His projects span global datasets (e.g., Landsat, MODIS) and regional case studies in the US, Mongolia, and Algeria. Publications emphasize methodological advancements in remote sensing, such as fusion of multisensor data, accuracy assessment frameworks, and applications in biodiversity conservation. His work bridges technical innovation with practical environmental decision-making, addressing issues like urban growth prediction and wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation.

Angela FullerView profile

Professor

• Spatial Ecology
• Wildlife Conservation
• Decision Science
• +5 more

Angela Fuller is a Professor at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), leading the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. She holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. Her research integrates spatial ecology and decision science to address wildlife conservation and management challenges. Fuller earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate from the University of Maine system, reflecting her deep roots in ecological research. Her work focuses on spatial patterns influencing wildlife populations, structured decision-making (SDM), and adaptive management. Key projects include studying human-wildlife coexistence, carnivore ecology, and invasive species detection. She teaches NTRES 4601/6601 Decision Making in Natural Resource Management , emphasizing practical applications of decision frameworks. Recent achievements include the 2020 Cooperative Research Units Leadership Excellence Award and Fellow status in The Wildlife Society (2017). Her lab, the Fuller Spatial Ecology and Decision Science Lab, collaborates on innovative projects such as leveraging canine surveillance for spotted lanternfly detection and analyzing avian influenza in bobcats. Notable publications span topics like spatial capture-recapture modeling and SDM for wildlife harvest decisions. Fuller’s contributions extend to interdisciplinary solutions, bridging ecological and social sciences for sustainable resource management. Her lab actively engages in outreach, including media features on emerging wildlife health issues and conservation strategies.

• Mammal Conservation
• Human-Wildlife Interaction
• Wildlife Rehabilitation
• +7 more

Dr Lucy Bearman-Brown is a Senior Lecturer in Zoology and Programme Manager for the BSc Zoology degree at Hartpury University, within the Department of Animal and Agriculture. She holds a PhD in Mammal Ecology from the University of Reading (awarded 2020), an MRes in Biodiversity and Conservation from the University of Leeds (2008), and a BSc in Animal Sciences from Nottingham Trent University (2003). She has been teaching at Hartpury since 2010 and is a PGCHE-qualified educator. BSc Animal Sciences – Nottingham Trent University (2003) MRes Biodiversity and Conservation – University of Leeds (2008) PhD Mammal Ecology – University of Reading (2020) PGCHE – University of the West of England (2012) Her research centers on mammal conservation, particularly human-wildlife interactions and the survival of European hedgehogs in anthropogenic environments. She investigates hedgehog rehabilitation, survey methodologies (including camera traps and detection dogs), and the ethical implications of wildlife monitoring. She also explores the mental health of wildlife rehabilitators and the role of nature in children's education. Her recent publications and projects show a strong focus on hedgehog conservation, including national strategy development, rehabilitation data analysis, and innovative detection techniques. She leads the 'Hedgehog Friendly Campus' initiative and has secured funding from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and the People's Trust for Endangered Species. Most Supportive Tutor Award (2020) She supervises undergraduate and postgraduate research and collaborates with organizations such as Bristol Zoo Project, Field Studies Council, and South African wildlife reserves. She is an active member of the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council and previously served as External Examiner at the University of Brighton. Her public engagement includes appearances on BBC Countryfile, The One Show, and contributions to BBC Wildlife magazine.

• Ecology
• Wildlife Biology
• Climate Change
• +3 more

Simen Pedersen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Forestry and Outback Studies , Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Inland Norway, Campus Evenstad. His research focuses on climate change impacts on wildlife, particularly adaptive responses in mountain hares and deer populations. Key Research Themes: Climate-driven camouflage mismatch in mountain hares, stress physiology in hunted populations, and trophic interactions between large herbivores and forest ecosystems. Methodology: Integrates GPS tagging, camera trap data from SCANDCAM, and molecular techniques to study adaptive genetics and behavioral responses. Publication Trends: Recent work spans from 2025–2016, emphasizing climate adaptation , herbivory impacts , and ecological sustainability . Collaborations with international scientists (Australia, Sweden, Norway) appear across journals like Global Change Biology and Ecology and Evolution . Students: Supervises PhD researcher Simen M Talleraas in the TaigaClimate project , which examines climate and management effects on deer populations. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with the WILDCOM research group (Ecological Communities in Change), working on wildlife population dynamics and habitat use through projects like Hare's change of costume and Territory use in hares .

Amy DickmanView profile

Professor

• Human-Wildlife Conflict
• Wildlife Conservation
• Large Carnivore Ecology
• +3 more

Professor Amy Dickman is a leading academic in wildlife conservation and currently serves as Director of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) at the University of Oxford. She holds the academic rank of Professor and specializes in human-wildlife conflict resolution, particularly focusing on large carnivores like lions and leopards. Her work integrates ecological research with policy development, emphasizing practical solutions for coexistence between humans and wildlife. Professional affiliations include joint CEO of Lion Landscapes (promoting coexistence in Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia) and Chair of the Arabian Leopard Fund's Board. She is also a member of multiple IUCN Specialist Groups, including the Cat Specialist Group and Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Group. Her research interests center on mitigating human-carnivore conflicts through innovative strategies like fortified livestock enclosures, market-based financial incentives, and community-led monitoring. Recent work highlights the importance of addressing socio-political factors alongside ecological challenges in conservation. Key contributions include pioneering the use of camera trapping for lion population monitoring, analyzing the socio-economic impacts of trophy hunting, and advocating for equitable conservation policies that balance global and local interests. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges ecology, policy, and community engagement to address complex conservation challenges in Africa.

Chris JohnsonView profile

Professor

• Conservation Biology
• Wildlife Ecology
• Landscape Ecology
• +2 more

Chris Johnson is a Professor of Landscape Conservation and Management at the University of Northern British Columbia's Faculty of Environment. He holds a BSc from University of Victoria and PhD from UNBC. A Registered Professional Biologist, he chairs the BC College of Applied Biology's Credentials Committee and co-chairs COSEWIC's Terrestrial Mammals Subcommittee. His research integrates wildlife, landscape, and conservation ecology to assess human impacts on ecosystems. Key themes include cumulative effects of resource development, species-distribution modeling, and community-based conservation planning. Recent publications focus on disturbance ecology (fire/forestry), caribou conservation, and methodological advances in wildlife monitoring. Trends show strong emphasis on boreal/Arctic systems and anthropogenic pressures. No awards or specific lab details were mentioned.

• Molecular Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Restoration Genetics
• +3 more

Associate Professor Paul Nevill is affiliated with Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds roles including leadership in the MBioMe group (Minesite Biodiversity Monitoring with eDNA), membership in the TrEnD lab, and involvement with the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country. His research focuses on molecular approaches for species conservation, restoration genetics, and eDNA-based biodiversity monitoring. He collaborates with government agencies, industries, and academic institutions to advance ecological restoration and conservation practices. Paul's educational background includes extensive training in molecular ecology and conservation biology, reflected in his academic publications and projects. He teaches and coordinates units like ENST3000 at Curtin, and supervises HDR students, emphasizing hands-on mentorship in ecological research. His research interests span molecular ecology, restoration genetics, and the application of eDNA to monitor ecosystems. Notable projects include using spider webs and airborne particles for vertebrate detection, assessing soil microbial communities in mine restoration, and evaluating the impacts of land-use changes on root-fungal networks. His work bridges laboratory-based genomics with field ecology, addressing both theoretical and applied conservation challenges. Paul's collaborations extend to global initiatives, such as the 500 Plastome Project for plant conservation, and he actively participates in policy-relevant discussions on ethical seed sourcing and restoration targets. His contributions to ecological solutions are further highlighted through involvement in projects like microbial inoculation for mine-waste substrates and the use of miniaturized spectrometers for soil health assessment. In terms of awards, while no specific prizes are listed, his leadership roles and active membership in the Society for Ecological Restoration underscore his commitment to advancing conservation practices. His work has been published in high-impact journals like Trends in Plant Science , Biological Reviews , and Molecular Ecology , reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his research.

• Applied Ecology
• Biodiversity
• Terrestrial Ecosystems
• +8 more

Dr. Pat White is an Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University , affiliated with the School of Applied Sciences and Centre for Conservation and Restoration Science . He joined the university in 2013 as a Lecturer in Environmental Biology after completing his PhD at the University of Reading and postdoctoral work at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). Education: BSc in Ecological Sciences, University of Edinburgh (2001-2005) PhD in Agri-environmental Research, University of Reading (2005-2009) Pat's research focuses on applied ecology , conservation biology , and innovative survey methodologies . He has pioneered the use of robotics and autonomous systems in ecological monitoring, particularly for terrestrial biodiversity and bat surveys . His work addresses critical questions in habitat management , species conservation , and policy development . Recent publications highlight his leadership in evaluating forestry impacts on wader species and optimizing ecological survey protocols . He has secured multiple grants from Forestry Commission England and The AEB Charitable Trust for projects on curlew conservation , bat monitoring , and seabird disturbance . Awards: Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (2023) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Pat supervises PhD and Master’s students in projects spanning Nubian ibex conservation , otter monitoring , and black grouse studies . He also collaborates with institutions like University of Stirling and University of Aberdeen through the SUPER DTP program.

William PetermanView profile

Associate Professor

• Landscape Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Population Genetics
• +3 more

William Peterman is an Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Management at The Ohio State University. His research integrates field observation, molecular lab work, and quantitative modeling to study biodiversity responses to climate change, habitat alteration, and urbanization. He focuses on animal population connectivity, habitat restoration, and conservation strategies across spatial-temporal scales. Landscape ecology and conservation biology Population genetics and metapopulation dynamics Climate change impact on amphibians and reptiles Recent publications highlight advancements in landscape resistance modeling, hybridization effects on conservation, and climate-agroecosystem interactions. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary methods including biophysical models and camera trap technology for biodiversity monitoring. Current students in his lab include Grant Ravary, Olivia Ruppert, Marissa Roseman, Aidan McCarthy, Jess Dong, Ryan Wagner, and Allison Williams. He has developed specialized software (ResistanceGA) and teaches courses like ENR 5370: Management of Wildlife Habitat .

Jonathan DaviesView profile

Associate Professor

• Phylogenetic Ecology
• Applied Conservation Science
• Ecosystems and Climate Change
• +4 more

Dr. Jonathan Davies is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Forestry, with dual affiliations in the Department of Botany and Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences. His research focuses on phylogenetic ecology, integrating evolutionary biology with ecological systems to address biodiversity conservation and climate change challenges. Academic Rank: Associate Professor Departments: Botany; Forest and Conservation Sciences Research Center: Biodiversity Research Center Email: j.davies@ubc.ca Research Interests : At the intersection of ecology and evolution, Davies' work explores phylogenetic approaches to conservation science, climate change biology, and disease ecology. His lab investigates: Climate change impacts on biodiversity and disease emergence Phylogenetic dilution effects in forest pest dynamics Evolutionary patterns in plant-herbivore interactions Statistical methods for phylogenetic analysis Global biodiversity patterns and diversification rates Eco-phylogenetics of protected area effectiveness

Robert LonsingerView profile

Adjunct Assistant Professor

• Wildlife Ecology
• Carnivore Ecology
• Predator-Prey Dynamics
• +7 more

Robert Lonsinger is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University's Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. He also serves as an Assistant Unit Leader of the U.S. Geological Survey's Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. With a PhD from the University of Idaho (2015), he specializes in wildlife ecology, focusing on carnivore behavior, predator-prey dynamics, and conservation genetics. His research emphasizes practical applications for wildlife management, including occupancy modeling and population viability analysis. Education: PhD, Natural Resources, University of Idaho (2015) MS, Wildlife Science, New Mexico State University (2010) BS, Biology, Gannon University (2002) Key Research Interests: Quantitative wildlife monitoring Carnivore ecology and conservation Genetic tools for population assessment Landscape-level habitat dynamics Dr. Lonsinger leads the Lonsinger Wildlife Ecology & Management Lab, collaborating with agencies to address conservation challenges. Recent grants focus on species like pronghorns, skunks, and mussels. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing innovative methods like machine learning for occupancy modeling and camera trap surveys. Teaching responsibilities include graduate courses on occupancy modeling, statistical inference, and scientific writing. He also conducts ATV safety training for professionals. Editorial roles include Associate Editor for the Journal of Mammalogy and Wildlife Society Bulletin . His work bridges academic research with applied management, contributing to biodiversity conservation in changing landscapes.