Darin McNeil

Darin McNeil is an Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management at the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. He leads the McNeil Lab, focusing on wildlife population responses to conservation actions, particularly forest birds in the eastern United States.

• Ph.D. in Natural Resources from Cornell University (2019)
• M.S. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2015)
• B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University (2013)

Research emphasizes:

• Forest management impacts on bird populations
• Avian demographic responses to conservation practices
• Non-target species effects of habitat programs
• Integration of theoretical ecology (metapopulation theory, source/sink dynamics)

Current projects involve:

• Bobwhite demography and movement tracking
• Eastern Whip-poor-will lifecycle ecology
• Timber management effects on Golden-winged Warblers
• Nectar sampling studies for pollinator conservation

The lab develops novel methodologies including:

• Low-cost acoustic survey techniques
• LiDAR applications for habitat analysis
• Field training video series (CEAP Avian Training)