- Large Mammal Ecology, Endangered Species, esp. Grizzly bear and black bear ecology
- Non-invasive sampling / Using DNA to monitor bear populations
- Remote photography
- Genetics
- Stable isotopes (used for diet estimation)
Education (more details)
- 2017. MSc Wildlife Ecology and Management (2014-Nov 2017 expected)
- 2007. Graduate level coursework: BIOL 595-02 Field Ecology of East Africa (3 credits). University of Montana, USA.
- 2003. Honors B.Sc. Biology. University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Other courses/workshops: Animal Trapping Techniques for Researchers and Managers, Conservation Genetics for Natural Resource Managers, Design Refresher: Fundamentals of Sampling & Monitoring Design, Glacier National Park Bear Management Training, CPR, Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness First Aid, PADI Open Water Diver, ArcGIS
Certifications
- Open Water Diver (PADI Certified)
- CPR (AERIE Backcountry Medicine Certified)
- Wilderness First Responder (AERIE Backcountry Medicine Certified)
Awards
- 2017 Persons Case Scholarship ($1,000), The Government of Alberta
- 2016 Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship - Master's level ($10,800), The Government of Alberta
- 2016 Graduate Student Scholarship ($3,000), The Government of Alberta
- 2015 Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship - Master's level ($10,800), The Government of Alberta
- 2015 2015-2016 Dr. Alice E. Wilson Award ($5,000), Canadian Federation of University Women
- 2014 Exceptional Performance Award ($1000) from US Geological Survey and University of Montana
- 2014 Excellence Award from US Geological Survey and University of Montana
- for “contributions to grizzly and black bear research and management 2000-2014”
- 2014 Glacier National Park arrowhead for my years volunteering and work in Glacier National Park, Montana.
- 2010 Outstanding Wildlife Article Award, The Wildlife Society.
- Selected from among wildlife articles published in any journal in the world in the last 3 years. For Journal Article: Kendall, K. C., J. B. Stetz, J. Boulanger, A. C. Macleod, D. Paetkau, and G. C. White. 2009 Demography and genetic structure of a recovering brown bear population. Journal of Wildlife Management. 73 (1):3-17.
Skills (detailed list)
Professional Experience
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Current (2016-2017) |
Student Representative International Association for Bear Research and Management |
| Current (2015-2018) | 2016-2018 President, 2015-2016 Secretary Edmonton Chapter, Canadian Federation of University Women |
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Current
(2014-2017)
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Student, MSc Wildlife Ecology and Management Applied Conservation Resarch Lab, University of Alberta |
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Current
(2014-2017)
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Layout Editor International Bear Association Newsletter. International Association for Bear Research and Management |
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2003-2015
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Biological Sciences Technician/Research Associate University of Montana (for Chris Servheen, USFWS Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator - Grizzly Bear Recovery Program). Detailed to Northern Divide Grizzly Bear Rub Project (2009-2014), Cabinet-Yaak Grizzly Bear DNA Project (2011-2013), and Northern Divide Grizzly Bear Project (2003-2008), USGS Glacier Field Station, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. Also working on Bear Behavior Project using remote cameras (project webpage) The objective of the three bear research projects I've been involved with is to conduct research that provides information needed by various agencies for immediate and long-term management of the grizzly bear population in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem. The projects are large, multi-agency studies applying non-invasive hair collection and genetic techniques to estimate the population of grizzly bears, a threatened species. Duties: As part of the project core staff (and Project Manager 2010-2014) I am involved with all facets of our research projects from design, hiring, and field work through to manuscript preparation and publication. (duty information in detail) |
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2002
(May-June)
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Volunteer Biological Sciences Technician, Pronghorn Mate Selection Project, National Bison Range Wildlife Refuge, Montana, USA. Duties: (7 days/week) observation of female pronghorn for pregnancy status, if non-pregnant observed for fawns, catching fawns, tagging and measuring fawns. |
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2001
(July-Aug)
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Volunteer Biological Sciences Technician, Lynx Hair Trap Transects, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. Duties: (2 days/week) hiking 3-10 miles/day, setup/take down of non-invasive hair trap transects, and sample collection. |
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2001
(Jan-Jun)
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Intern Biological Sciences Lab Technician, Greater Glacier Bear DNA Project, University of Idaho, Idaho, US. Duties: (5 days/week) processing hair samples collected during the 2000 field season by clipping hair follicles, DNA isolation, PCR, setup and running of amplifed DNA samples through acrylamide gels with an ABI sequencer. |
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2000
(May-Aug)
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Intern Biological Sciences Field Technician, Greater Glacier Bear DNA Project, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. Duties: (11 days/2 weeks) hiking 10-12 miles/day, setup/take down of non-invasive hair traps, non-invasive sign survey of trails, and sample collection (hair and scat), also some preparation of supplies for the crew. |
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1999
(Sept-Dec)
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Research Assistant, Health Canada, Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Alternative Strategies and Regulatory Affairs Division, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Duties: (5 days/week) worked in an office environment on various projects related to pest management in Canada. |
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1999
(Aug 17-Sept 4)
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Earthwatch Volunteer, South African Elephant Project, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, South Africa. Duties: (12 days over 2 weeks) Assessment of Elephant Impact on Vegetation in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. |
- Non-invasive Sampling: black bear hair traps in Yaak Mountains, MT, U.S.A. (2 days July 2002), black bear hair traps in Flathead Valley, MT. U.S.A. (2 days July 2003), identification of bear rubs in Banff National Park, AB, Canada (2 days May 2006), wolverine hair snag post in Glacier National Park, MT, USA (4 days 2012 = all bait/collections of one station and installed/maintained remote camera on site), toad DNA sampling (opportunistically 2009-2010 while conducting bear research)
- Invasive Sampling (Culverts, Foot/Leg Snares): Foot Snares for black bears in Flathead Valley, MT. U.S.A. (2 days July 2003), Foot Snares for grizzly bears in South Fork Flathead area, MT, U.S.A. (2 days May 2005) , Foot Snares for black bears in Yaak Mountains, B.C., Canada (3 days May 2007), Assist MTFWP Grizzly Bear Conflict Specialist in capture/release of bears (2-6 days/year 2003-2012), Assist GNP bear rangers in capture/release of bears (several days May 2008), wolverine log cabin trap in Glacier National Park, MT, USA (2 days each year Feb-Mar 2005, 2006, 2007), mist net/owl banding (1 day, 2015)
- Radio-Tracking: Black Bears in Swan Valley, MT, USA (1 day July 2001); Big Horn Sheep in Glacier National Park, MT, USA (2 days April 2006); Wolverines in Glacier National Park, MT, USA (2 days 2005, 2006, 2007)
- Observations: Golden Eagle Nest Monitoring in Glacier National Park, MT, USA (4 days July 2001, 2 days in 2002), elephant breeding herd age class and counts (S. Africa)
- Vegetation Plots: Huckleberry Plot Monitoring (1 day each fall 2003-2006), vegetation transect plots (S. Africa)
- Sept 2002-Feb 2003 Waitress, Demetre's Family Eatery Restaurant in Ontario, Canada (5 days/wk)
- May-Aug 1998 Intern, Ideal Pest Control, Ontario, Canada (5 days/wk)
North & Central America Canada (grew up in southern Ontario, visited British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec) United States (lived in Montana for 10+ years plus 3 summers, visited many western states WA, ID, CA, AZ, NM, as well as ND, WI, MN, IL, MI, NY)Mexico (2 weeks 2007: Monterrey, south of Victoria - El Cielo, Puerto Vallarta)Belize (1 week in w Belize inc. 1 day in Guatamala, 1 week on Ambergris Caye)Europe England & Scotland (2-3 weeks per year: 1982, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006) Italy (4 weeks 2005)Greece (mainland, 1 week 2005)Africa South Africa (17 days 1999)
Tanzania (14 days 2007)
