معرفی
Lisette Waits is a Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Resources at the University of Idaho, affiliated with the College of Natural Resources and the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences. Her research focuses on conservation genetics and molecular ecology, addressing challenges in wildlife conservation, population management, and endangered species recovery across diverse ecosystems.
Education: Ph.D. in Genetics (University of Utah, 1996); B.S. in Genetics (University of Georgia, 1991).
Research Interests: Conservation Biology, Conservation Genetics, Molecular Ecology, Landscape Genetics, and Endangered Species Ecology and Management. Her work spans global collaborations, including studies on wolves, bears, pronghorns, tigers, and amphibians. She emphasizes non-invasive genetic monitoring, environmental DNA (eDNA), and landscape genetics to inform conservation strategies.
Recent Articles Highlight: Her research explores genetic connectivity in cooperatively breeding carnivores, vulnerability of gray wolves to harvest, and predator-prey dynamics in sage-grouse populations. These studies contribute to understanding population dynamics, genetic diversity, and effective conservation practices.
Awards: Over two decades of recognition for research excellence, mentoring, and service. Notable accolades include the Caesar Kleberg Excellence in Applied Wildlife Science (2023), multiple Alumni Mentoring Awards, election as a Fellow of AAAS and The Wildlife Society, and the Arthur S. Einarsen Award for professional service.
Advising & Outreach: A champion of student and postdoc mentoring, having supervised numerous scholars. Her lab provides genetic testing services and hosts international trainees. She conducts workshops on conservation genetics in the U.S., Canada, and Asia, bridging academic research with on-the-ground management.
Labs/Teams: Leads the Laboratory for Ecological, Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics, advancing genomic tools for wildlife conservation and ecological questions.
