Biology

A native of Zillah WA, I received my BS in Zoology from Washington State University in 2010. While at WSU I gained experience working with captive mule deer and grizzly bears at the WSU animal facilities. I came to EWU in Fall 2010. My Masters' research examines the effectiveness of predator urine in deterring elk from browsing aspen on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge initiated a hunt on portions of the refuge in fall 2010 with the broad management objective of reducing elk  damage to aspen. However, preliminary radio telemetry data collected by another graduate student in our lab suggest that during the hunting season elk move into portions of the refuge, such as the public use area, where hunting in not feasible. In addition to examining the feasibility of using non lethal methods to deter elk browsing on aspen, I will continue montoring elk movements during a second hunting season on the refuge.