John Fieberg

John Fieberg is a Professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota, where he applies statistical and mathematical models to ecological problems with emphasis on wildlife telemetry data, survival analysis, and habitat selection modeling.

His educational credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Biomathematics from North Carolina State University
• MS in Biostatistics from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
• BA in Mathematics from Westminster College

Fieberg's research bridges sophisticated modeling using MCMC techniques for complex ecological data and practical statistical guidance for biologists. He focuses on tailoring models to address challenges like imperfect detection in wildlife surveys, autocorrelation in movement data, and functional responses in habitat selection, while advocating for robust yet accessible methods that deliver 99% of analytical value for 99% of applications.

His recent publications (2020-2024) reveal concentrated advancements in animal movement ecology, habitat selection methodology, and statistical validation frameworks. Key trends include innovative goodness-of-fit testing via lineup protocols, integrated step-selection analyses accounting for individual variability, and critical examinations of detection scale in multi-sensor wildlife monitoring systems, complemented by two foundational textbooks on ecological statistics.

He directs the Fieberg Lab, which synergizes research with teaching through courses like Biometry (FW4001) and Statistics for Ecologists (FW8051), incorporating real-world ecological examples to demonstrate statistical concepts and mentoring future quantitative ecologists for natural resource management careers.