Academic Staff
Assistant Scientists
Dr. Erik Osnas (Mike Samuel). Erik is working on spatial patterns and CWD transmission rates for white-tailed deer in Wisconsin and Illinois. The specific goals of this project are to provide scientific and technical assistance to WDNR managers, University researchers, and other cooperators and agencies managing CWD in Wisconsin; provide analytical evaluation of management activities to control CWD including spatial and demographic analysis of disease patterns, temporal changes in disease prevalence, monitoring of changes in response to management programs, and assessment of surveillance programs; and provide scientific guidance and technical advice on the development and implementation of disease monitoring and surveillance programs focused on disease control efforts.
Post Docs
Dr. Julie Blanchong (Mike Samuel). The first stage of the project is a characterization of the spatial pattern of deer removal across the IHZ and EZ. Population size estimates together with data of the number of deer removed per section will be used to identify regions within the IHZ and EZ where larger numbers of deer were removed relative to other areas as well as areas where deer removal was lower. The second stage of Julie’s project will be to investigate genetic relationships among male and female deer related to CWD transmission and to use genetic markers to determine susceptibility to CWD based on immune complement pathways. In addition, Julie is completing research projects investigating the relationships among avian cholera outbreaks, bacterial persistence, and wetland environmental conditions.
Dr. Kevin Ellison (Chris Ribic). Kevin is working on a cooperative project with WI DNR studying the impacts of removing tree-rows on grassland birds and their predators within the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area (MRPHA). Previous research has shown that nest predators, particularly raccoons, use wooded fencerows to access grassland habitats. In turn, grassland birds experience reduced nest success near woody vegetation and avoid nesting near wooded edges of fields. However, previous work in Wisconsin has shown that predators like thirteen-lined ground squirrels that live in grassy fields may have as great an impact on grassland bird productivity as woody edge predators like raccoons. Therefore, removing tree-rows as a management tool to improve grassland bird populations may not be as straightforward as once thought. This project will measure nest success before and after the removal of tree-rows between grasslands enrolled in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Predator activity will be measured using infrared trail cameras and sand tracking stations. Snakes will be monitored using coverboards and will be marked to estimate abundance. Grassland bird nests will be found near and far from the tree-rows and monitored using miniature video cameras to identify nest predators. Bird densities will be estimated by banding individuals for re-sighting and mapping singing males during surveys. The study will assess the utility of tree-row removal for improving grassland bird productivity, including non-game songbirds and pheasants. The tree-row removal will be conducted in cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and private landowners.
Dr. Andrew McClung (Mike Samuel). Andrew is working on modeling the ecology of chronic wasting disease by developing spatial models of disease spread and transmission for white-tailed deer. These models will integrate information on disease spread, deer movement and dispersal, landscape features, and disease infection patterns. Project goals will focus on modeling chronic wasting disease outbreaks in Wisconsin and Illinois, understanding the patterns and potential rate of disease spread, and evaluating management options to control disease.
Dr. Gideon Wasserberg (Mike Samuel). Gideon is working on the ecology of chronic wasting disease by developing models to integrate current understanding about deer ecology and transmission of CWD. These models will integrate new information from other research studies on CWD transmission in Wisconsin white-tailed deer and integrate features of other infectious deer diseases such as tuberculosis.
Research Intern
Jean Fantle-Lepcyzk (Chris Ribic). This research provides support to an evaluation of the impact of the Department of Natural Resources Glacial Habitat Restoration Area (GHRA) program of landscape management on habitats and key wildlife species. More specifically the position consists of conducting and coordinating surveys of breeding birds in southern and east-central Wisconsin, and providing and coordinating Geographic Information System (GIS) support for the evaluation. The GHRA program goal is to manage and restore 10% of a 900 square mile landscape (including both grasslands and wetland habitat) to benefit non-game grassland songbirds, ducks, and pheasants.