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Adrienne Kovach, Assistant Profesor My research focuses on the conservation of species of concern in the Northeast. My work is multidisciplinary and I integrate genetic and genomic tools with population modeling and the collection of ecological and behavioral data. I work with a diversity of vertebrates, including black bears, New England cottontails, tidal marsh and shrubland birds, anadromous fish, and Atlantic cod. I encourage my students to incorporate field, laboratory, and quantitative approaches in their research. |
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Gemma Clucas, Postdoctoral Researcher I use genomic techniques to study population differentiation and demographic history in species of conservation concern. Understanding the distribution of adaptive genetic diversity and barriers to gene flow among populations is vital for effective conservation management plans, whilst at the same time gives clues as to how speciation occurs. Using both RADseq and whole genome resequencing data, I am looking at adaptive divergence between populations of Nelson’s and saltmarsh sparrows, and the stock structure of the Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod fishery. |
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Logan Maxwell, Masters in Wildlife
My research interests lie in using field-collected observational and demographic data in combination with molecular genetic tools to study wildlife population dynamics and evolutionary ecology, all while working within a broader ecological and conservation framework. For my Masters, I am focusing on the interspecific dynamics of two tidal marsh birds threatened by sea-level rise: Saltmarsh and Nelson’s Sparrows. I aim to evaluate drivers and patterns of hybridization between these two tidal marsh specialists that may help enable predictions about hybrid zone dynamics, adaptive capacity, and population viability into the future. |
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Melissa Bauer, Masters in Wildlife
I am interested in using quantitative and molecular tools to understand impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation on wildlife populations. For my Masters research, I focus on the New England cottontail, which has experienced extensive loss of population connectivity due to fragmentation of shrubland habitat. I will use landscape genetic and simulation modeling tools to identify specific landscape influences on cottontail dispersal. I will work with managers to predict the impacts of restoration scenarios, including habitat creation and translocations of captively bred rabbits, on cottontail population connectivity and genetic diversity. |
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Jennifer Spillane, PhD student in Genetics
Co-advised by Brian Olsen (UMaine) I am interested in genomic signatures of adaptation both within and across lineages. For my doctoral research, I am focusing on a group of tidal marsh-adapted sparrows and using comparative genomics to discover which factors predict patterns in the quantitative traits that control these adaptations. I am also interested in the evolution of the sparrows’ specialization to the tidal marsh, including questions of parallel evolution between species and the possible role that hybridization played in shaping the birds’ historic and current ecology. |
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Brett Ferry, Masters in Wildlife My research involves a population viability analysis for the New England Cottontail in southern NH. To accomplish this, I am live trapping and radio collaring rabbits to track survival and dispersal. I am also conducting pellet surveys in the winter for DNA analysis. which will be used for patch population estimates and gaining additional dispersal information. This project is a collaboration between NH Fish and Game and UNH. The results will be used for furthering the management and conservation of this state endangered species. |
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Erica Holm, Masters in Wildlife Co-advised by Matt Tarr My research focuses on evaluating the shrubland bird community in powerline rights-of-way and clearcuts in southern New Hampshire and Maine. It is unknown how birds respond to different management techniques within rights-of-way and clearcuts across both the breeding and post-breeding periods, and I will use mist netting at 36 sites over 2 years to investigate this response. My study seeks to inform management decisions to best sustain the wide range of bird species that rely on these important shrubland areas. |
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Kris Wojtusik, Research Technician While seeing to the day to day needs of the lab, I have the privilege of being able to work on many of the different projects associated with the lab. I use molecular techniques to gather data on Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sparrows, Atlantic Cod, and New England Cottontail’s, and I use field observations out on the salt marshes to collect data for both sparrow species. It is my goal to work in conservation and use both molecular techniques and field observations to better inform us as to the best course of action when it comes to species preservation and persistence. |
Recent Undergraduate Alumns
Sarah Clements 2016 - Genetic structure of an isolated New England cottontail population
Denyelle Surrell 2016 - Nesting adaptations of Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sparrows
Christina Dimeo 2015 - Apprenticeship in Conservation Genetics
Tricia Gunther 2015 - Evaluation genetic diversity between species and populations of cottontails
Stephanie Royka 2014 - Landscape effects on host populations of black-legged ticks
Peter Goode 2014 - Will anadromous blueback herring and alewives hybridize in a tank-spawning environment
Olivia Foy 2014 - Developing a method for DNA extraction and amplification from archaeological cod bone
Emily McDermott 2014 - Influence of Habitat and Landscape Features on Sex Ratio of New England Cottontails
Elizabeth Natola 2012 - Demographic history of New England cottontail
Evan Ehrlich 2012 - Analysis of Behavior and Song in Hybrid Male Saltmarsh x Nelson’s Sparrows
Molly Hunt 2012 - Analysis of Behavior and Song in Hybrid Male Saltmarsh x Nelson’s Sparrows
Denyelle Surrell 2016 - Nesting adaptations of Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sparrows
Christina Dimeo 2015 - Apprenticeship in Conservation Genetics
Tricia Gunther 2015 - Evaluation genetic diversity between species and populations of cottontails
Stephanie Royka 2014 - Landscape effects on host populations of black-legged ticks
Peter Goode 2014 - Will anadromous blueback herring and alewives hybridize in a tank-spawning environment
Olivia Foy 2014 - Developing a method for DNA extraction and amplification from archaeological cod bone
Emily McDermott 2014 - Influence of Habitat and Landscape Features on Sex Ratio of New England Cottontails
Elizabeth Natola 2012 - Demographic history of New England cottontail
Evan Ehrlich 2012 - Analysis of Behavior and Song in Hybrid Male Saltmarsh x Nelson’s Sparrows
Molly Hunt 2012 - Analysis of Behavior and Song in Hybrid Male Saltmarsh x Nelson’s Sparrows
