Lab members listed alphabetically by last name. Last updated: November 19, 2024.
Paul Akpejeluh PhD Student Paul’s research interests include rangeland ecology, geospatial mapping, GIS, and remote sensing. He is joining the Living Landscapes Lab to pursue a PhD in Invasion Ecology focusing on developing a national-scale early detection and rapid response tool to predict spread of invasive plants using Cocongrass as focal species. He completed his MS in Applied Ecology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his research focused on monitoring abandoned bomas (livestock enclosures) using multi-scale remote sensing data at multiple temporal resolutions to better understand vegetation dynamics with their surrounding landscapes. He is originally from Nigeria, where he holds a BS in Environmental Science. In his free time, he enjoys landscape and nature photography, watching sports and travelling.
Michael Ferrara Master’s Student Michael will be studying how birds use solar panel arrays with understories of native grasses and forbes compared to those with turf grass. He is passionate about species and ecosystem conservation. His primary research interests are in population dynamics, interspecies interactions and habitat use to protect species of concern. Michael received his B.S. from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and since then has been working with avian species across the eastern United States. He is originally from Long Island, New York and in his free time, he enjoys hiking, birding, photography, traveling, cooking, playing video games and watching sports.
Lindsey LaBrie PhD Student Lindsey is interested in invasive species ecology of riverine ecosystems, especially in the context of climate change. In the Living Landscapes Lab, she will be researching differences in invasive species management policies across the country, determining invasion potential for various aquatic nuisance species throughout the state of Arkansas, and estimating future invasion risks using climate change models and horizon mapping techniques. She completed her M.S. in Biology at the University of South Dakota in May 2023. She received a B.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife and a B.A. in German Language & Literature from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2020. Lindsey is originally from Hastings, Nebraska. When she’s not on the river or thinking about fish, you’ll find her drinking coffee, gardening, painting, cooking, rollerblading, camping, indoor rock climbing, or snuggling with her cat Jinx.
Lauren Luther Undergrad Student Lauren is an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas who is joining the Living Landscapes lab while she completes her honors undergraduate research requirements for her B.S. in biology. She will be working with Michael Ferrara in his studies of bird use of solar arrays, specifically on optimizing the audio recording devices utilized in the study. Lauren has completed a research project in Jamestown, CO, through the Ecosystem Field Studies course studying the effect of pitch on coloration in Ponderosa pines. Originally from central Arkansas, Lauren enjoys spending her free time hiking with her dog, canoeing, and performing with the Razorback Marching Band.
Anne Puchalsky Master’s Student Anne’s research will be focused on King Rail in southeastern Arkansas, furthering the understanding of the species breeding ecology in the state. Her research will work to gather data on dispersal rates and movement ecology of juvenile rails. She will also be investigating how water level management affects reproductive success of the King Rail. Originally from Pennsylvania, she received her B.S. from Penn State and has since worked with Saltmarsh Sparrows and Black-throated green warblers. Her interests include the conservation of at-risk and cryptic species often found in swamp and marsh habitats. In her free time she enjoys working out, birding, herping, wildlife photography and anything else outdoors.
Caleb Roberts PI Caleb is the leader of the Living Landscapes Lab. He works for the U.S. Geological Survey as the Unit Leader of the Arkansas Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit. Caleb’s research interests include ecological resilience, grasslands, landscape ecology, fire, birds, invasive species, plants, community ecology, agroecosystems, complexity theory, and rangelands. Caleb is from western Kentucky, and he enjoys writing, running, reading, cooking, gardening, board games, hiking, and hanging out with his wife, daughter, and cat.
Ken Wilson Master’s Student Ken’s research is focused on ground and shrub nesting birds in Southern Arkansas, and how they are impacted by the presence of feral hogs. Using camera traps, point count surveys, and vegetation surveys, Ken will measure the diversity and occupancy of breeding birds in bottomland hardwood floodplains and upland pine forests and how this is related to the density of feral hogs. This study will help us better understand how to manage a highly invasive species to protect vulnerable bird populations. Ken has previously worked for federal and state wildlife agencies studying secretive wetland birds, ground-nesting warblers, and pygmy owls, among other avian species. Ken is from New Jersey and in his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, martial arts, and spending time with his cat.