Thesis Topic:  Barn Owl hunting behavior in winegrape vineyards in California

Advisor: Dr. Matt Johnson

Undergraduate Degree/Institution: B.S. in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology (Concentration: Wildlife Ecology and Management, Minor: Range Science) from New Mexico State University

I grew up in Las Cruces, NM where I was surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert. During high school, I volunteered with wildlife biologists at the White Sands Missile Range Environmental Division. This experience sparked my interest in wildlife biology and conservation, which led me to pursue a career in natural resources.

While earning my undergraduate degree from New Mexico State University (NMSU), I had the opportunity to assist a graduate student with their Burrowing Owl translocation study in Arizona. I also worked as an intern with the Environmental Stewardship group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), where I managed an avian nestbox network to monitor cavity-nesting bird species on the Pajarito Plateau. I continued working at LANL for an additional two years once I graduated from NMSU.

After the LANL internship, I spent time working on raptor research projects during seasonal fieldwork positions. As a graduate student at Cal Poly Humboldt, my thesis will focus on the hunting behavior of Barn Owls in winegrape vineyards in California. My goals for the future are to conduct research and contribute to wildlife management and avian conservation efforts. Some of my hobbies include birding, hiking, and playing music.