CURRICULUM VITAE
July 2006
EDUCATION:
- B.A. in Zoology, 1971, University of California, Los Angeles.
- M.S. in Biology, 1973, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.
Thesis title: The coexistence of heteromyid rodents. - Ph.D. in Biology, 1977, University of California, Los Angeles.
Dissertation title: The ecology of migratory wood warblers and the habitat distribution of small migratory landbirds in western Mexico.
AREAS OF RESEARCH INTEREST:
My research interests revolve around habitat selection and the relative importance of landscape-level and local-scale variables in determining the suitability of sites to various landbird species. Most of our survey efforts have been focused in conifer forest and riparian habitats in the northern Rockies and in northern Mexico. We're especially interested in conifer forests that have been disturbed by recent wildfires and/or timber harvesting, and in riverine systems that are subject to a variety of human alterations. In both systems we're asking how vegetation type and structure (as influenced by land use practices) and landscape context affect bird distribution patterns. Some of our main questions are: How can we best model the distribution pattern of any bird species? For any given species, why has natural selection led to a distribution pattern that is non-random in space? Do patterns of habitat occupancy reflect habitat suitability? How important is disturbance in maintaining diversity in these systems?
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:
- University of Montana—Asst. Prof., 1977-1982; Assoc. Prof., 1982-1987; Prof., 1987-present
- Connecticut Public Television—Host of “BirdWatch”, a PBS distributed series, 1998-2000
COURSES TAUGHT:
- Undergraduate: Montana Wildlife; Ornithology; Field Ornithology; Animal Ecology; Community Ecology; Avian Census Methods; Field Ecology; Senior Thesis
- Graduate: Advanced Ornithology; Advanced Animal Behavior; Evolutionary and Behavioral Ecology; Avian Ecology; Fire Ecology; Behavioral Ecology Seminar; Ecology Seminar