Stephanie S. Coster

Stephanie S. Coster is an Associate Professor of Biology at Randolph-Macon College, where she integrates genetic approaches with wildlife conservation and management. Her research spans diverse species such as black bears, spotted salamanders, rails, and elephant shrews, focusing on habitat preservation, invasive species detection, and ecological monitoring.

• Education: PhD in Environmental Studies (2013), MS in Natural Resources (2008) from the University of New Hampshire, and BS in Biology (2002) from Trinity University.

Her work includes developing environmental DNA (eDNA) assays for invasive species like nutria and rusty crayfish, analyzing genetic connectivity in coastal birds, and leading vernal pool restoration studies. She has contributed to the SNAPSHOT USA national camera trap surveys and published extensively in journals such as Ecology and Evolution and Journal of Wildlife Diseases. Dr. Coster also emphasizes hands-on learning through courses like Conservation Genetics and Tropical Biodiversity, mentoring students in lab and fieldwork.

Contact: stephaniecoster@rmc.edu