معرفی
Dr. Madelon Van de Kerk serves as Director of the MS in Ecology program and Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Western Colorado University's Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability. A Netherlands native who moved to the U.S. in 2011, she joined Western in summer 2021 after conducting wildlife research across diverse global ecosystems from Indonesia to Alaska.
Her academic credentials include:
- PhD in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from University of Florida (2016)
- MSc in Animal Ecology and Conservation from Radboud University Nijmegen (2009)
- BSc in Biology from Utrecht University (2007)
Dr. Van de Kerk specializes in quantitative approaches to wildlife conservation, having studied species including mule deer, Dall's sheep, Florida panthers, black bears, and marine species across multiple continents. Her research integrates field data with advanced statistical modeling to address population dynamics, movement ecology, and conservation challenges. She teaches quantitative wildlife research methods and leads the Western Wildlife Lab, which focuses on Intermountain West ecology.
Her publication record reveals expertise in movement ecology and population modeling, with research spanning terrestrial and marine systems. Her work frequently employs sophisticated statistical techniques to understand complex ecological relationships and inform management decisions.
Scientific Recognition:
- The Wildlife Society Award Winner for research on Florida panther dynamics and persistence
As Director of the MS in Ecology program, Dr. Van de Kerk advises graduate students while maintaining an active research program that bridges theoretical ecology with practical conservation applications. Her lab combines field studies with quantitative analysis to optimize wildlife management strategies in changing environments.
