ASSOCIATE EDITOR – May 2019 to Current
Current Landscape Ecology Reports, Springer
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – March 2019 to Current
Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Lab (GLEL), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
WILDLIFE RESEARCH BIOLOGIST – November 2013 to Current
fRI Research Caribou Program, Hinton, AB
PhD RESEARCHER – January 2009 to April 2015
Université Laval, Québec, QC
TECHNICIAN & RESEARCH ASSISTANT – June 2004 to July 2014
Foothills Research Institute Grizzly Bear Program, Hinton, AB
PARK RANGER – June 2003 to November 2003
SEPAQ (Société des établissements de plein air du Québec), Mont Orford, QC
PROFESSIONAL SKI PATROL – November 2002 to May 2004
Castle Mountain, Pincher Creek, AB
Current Landscape Ecology Reports, Springer
- Editor for the 'Landscape Change - Causes and consequences' section of the journal. Responsibilities include submitting review topics that synthesize significant developments in current research and review submitted manuscripts.
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – March 2019 to Current
Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Lab (GLEL), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
- As a research associate with the Geomatics and Landscape Ecology lab (GLEL) at Carleton University, my research interests merge landscape ecology and wildlife conservation: Can we extrapolate how species respond to attributes of their local environment such as patch size, patch isolation, and edge effects to large areas as a way to infer effects of habitat fragmentation over landscapes and regions? How does habitat heterogeneity and landscape configuration influence species responses across scales? Broadly, I’m interested in understanding how environmental factors influence animal behaviour, including habitat selection, predator-prey dynamics, and ultimately population dynamics. I am particularly interested in non-invasive and multi-species approaches to answer these complex questions. Cross-scale extrapolations of animal responses are central themes of my research. I’m also a member of the Bear Specialist Group (BSG) under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and under that umbrella, I’m leading a field-based project looking at habitat selection patterns and distribution overlap between sloth bears and Asiatic black bears in and around protected areas of the Terai Arc of Nepal and India.
WILDLIFE RESEARCH BIOLOGIST – November 2013 to Current
fRI Research Caribou Program, Hinton, AB
- Develop & implement research activities towards delineating priority areas for on-the-ground restoration activities within woodland caribou ranges, and to understand use of linear features by caribou, alternate prey (moose, deer, and elk), their predators, and humans using GPS collar data and non-invasive methods (camera traps, scats, and tracks & signs). Build and update Resource Selection Functions (RSFs) for wolves, grizzly bears, and caribou. Collaborate towards understanding food resources for caribou and grizzly bears in response to mountain pine beetle. Supervise students, interns, & technician on field activities, undergraduate theses, and related projects. Conduct aerial surveys for pellet collection involving hazards assessments during winter. Occasional assistance with necropsy and mortality surveys. Grant writing, dialog with program partners, publish peer-reviewed publications. Oversee and conduct all aspects of specific research projects, from acquiring funding to publication of peer-reviewed publication.
PhD RESEARCHER – January 2009 to April 2015
Université Laval, Québec, QC
- Developed unique research questions & study designs, secured research funds, and implemented all aspects of research to investigate the links between environmental conditions and grizzly bear behaviour. Established and monitored sampling plots for berry-producing shrub species, established and monitored weather stations near dens during winter, and conducted telemetry flights. Collaborated with stakeholders and designed a denning-focused resource selection function (RSF) for grizzly bears in Alberta. Supervised students towards completion of undergraduate theses. Capture and handling of grizzly bears.
TECHNICIAN & RESEARCH ASSISTANT – June 2004 to July 2014
Foothills Research Institute Grizzly Bear Program, Hinton, AB
- Supervised and conducted field work towards the collection of data on the availability of food resources and habitat selection of grizzly bears. Conducted scat analyses for a diet-based food model. Conducted field work during the 1st DNA-based population census of grizzly bears in Alberta (2004) involving the selection of sites for DNA hair snags, site preparation, and sample collection and maintenance. Installed and monitored field equipment during adverse conditions (-35C to +35C), Developed and maintained databases and protocols, and conducted GIS analyses. Capture and handling of grizzly bears. Acquired an extensive knowledge of plant species occurrence and distribution.
PARK RANGER – June 2003 to November 2003
SEPAQ (Société des établissements de plein air du Québec), Mont Orford, QC
- Supervised campground attendants, conducted trail maintenance, patrolled boundaries and trails. Developed and maintained projects aimed at increasing public awareness and monitoring of endangered species within the park.
PROFESSIONAL SKI PATROL – November 2002 to May 2004
Castle Mountain, Pincher Creek, AB
- Performed safety and forecasting work involving the monitoring and control of avalanche terrain and snowpack interpretation of avalanche hazards. Administered first aid in remote areas, maintained ski run safety and performed occasional ski run grooming duties (operated machinery). Participated in the planning and operation of the Avalanche Awareness Days.