To conserve fragile ecosystems, we must understand the ecology and connectivity of individual species. My projects examine pieces of the puzzle, such as genetic connectivity, habitat use, and species interactions. Good decisions are made based on understanding the relationships between actions and outcomes. The research in my lab sits at this nexus, co-developed with land stewards and communities to improve conservation outcomes. 

Graduated from the Hawaii Wildlife Ecology Lab in 2022 with a PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, specializing in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology. Her doctoral research used spatial and statistical models to assess environmental impacts on Hawaiian waterbird reproductive success and the role of Hawaiian Indigenous resource management in recovery efforts. She completed the first statewide assessment of projected waterbird nesting habitat loss due to sea level rise in Hawaiʻi and evaluated the potential for Indigenous wetland agro-ecosystems (loʻi) to offset these losses. She now serves as a Project Coordinator at the Hawaii Wildlife Ecology Lab, supporting decision analysis projects to optimize resource allocation for long-term natural resource persistence, and remains active in community outreach and youth education programs.

An ecologist specializing in quantitative methods, including ecological modeling, spatial prioritization, and GIS techniques for wildlife and resource management. He earned his Master’s degree from the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab in 2019, and his work bridges scientific research with practical conservation and natural resource management solutions. His current research focuses on the impacts of invasive wild ungulates under both environmental and human-mediated conditions to improve wildlife management strategies across Hawaiʻi. He is also engaged in projects centered on sustainable recreational trail use and design. Born on the windward side of Oʻahu, he is an avid hiker who enjoys walking his dog along the beach and surfing whenever possible.

Claire was born in Pennsylvania and led a wild and winding life through her early twenties. She graduated with a B.S. in Natural Resources & Environmental Management from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa after completing the first two years of her degree at the Community College of Denver. Claire is interested in many aspects of coastal ecology and grounds her work through growing and sustaining reciprocal relationships to place, community, and collaborators. She is currently working to understand the occupancy and resource partitioning of migratory shorebirds in Heʻeia, Oʻahu.

Molly is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in the Natural Resources & Environmental Management department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is focused on studying the population genetics of the Pueo (Hawaiian Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus sandwichensis), but is also interested in the genetic structure of Short-eared owls at a global scale. Molly grew up in Texas and received her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2010, she moved to Hawaiʻi and began working at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, where she still serves as the manager of the Vertebrate Zoology collections.

Wade is a graduate student who originally started as an intern in the lab as a freshman in undergrad. Being born and raised in Hawai'i, he has always had a keen sense of pride with natural resources in our environment. He is pursuing a masters degree to better his knowledge on our natural resources to better the ecosystem for future generations. Wade has worked on multiple projects in the lab as an intern in the past, but he will be focusing his time in grad school on axis deer movement on Maui.

Koa was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, and graduated with a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He is continuing in the program to study the relationships between lo‘i kalo managers and the native waterbirds (Aeʻo, ʻAlae ʻula, and ʻAlae keʻokeʻo) that reside within them. Before joining the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab, he was a Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science intern with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Hawaiʻi Endangered Bird Conservation Program, working on ʻAlalā conservation breeding. In addition, Koa worked with Colorado State University, banding and GPS transmitting ‘Alae ‘ula and ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o. This research sparked Koa’s love of waterbirds!

Mary is a graduate student in Natural Resources and Environmental Management at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Born and raised in Rizal, Philippines, her background and experiences living in urban environments have shaped her interest in the relationships between people and place. Her current research focuses on the philanthropic gap between local businesses and environmental nonprofits, examining how cross-sector partnerships can better support community-based restoration and stewardship efforts.