Current research


My current research topics include:
  • Yurok-wildlife relationship and hunting values in a TEK context
  • Meyweehl (Roosevelt elk) ecology on Yurok ancestral lands via Yurok TEK and molecular scatology
This muenchehl (ceremonial dress) is made from meweehl hide and participates in ceremony, illustrating meweehl as both a cultural and natural resource. 

thank you!

Current research funding support and partnerships:
Redwood National Park
Culver Conservation Genetics Lab, The University of Arizona
Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, U.C. Davis
 Project:
​- Molecular scatology of Meyweehl (Roosevelt elk) in Yurok ancestral lands
Yurok Tribe
Projects:
​- Yurok-Wildlife relationship in a TEK context
- Meyweehl (Roosevelt elk) habitat and diet on Yurok ancestral lands 
U.S. Department of Energy
Project: 
- Development of Southwestern Mountains Climate Resilience Center
​w/Fulé, P., Carbone, M., Dymond, S. ​
Previous research funding support and partnerships:
  • Pathway to Faculty Program, American Indian Science and Engineering Society
  • ​Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology, ​National Science Foundation
  • Wildlife Department, Cal Poly Humboldt (​Postdoctoral fellowship host)

 Completed projects

Click the button below to see the full citations for these products and deliverables.

Mount Graham red squirrel response to post-fire conditions

Here I am snowshoeing on Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona to census red squirrel midden occupancy for research at
​The University of Arizona. 

National Park Service Pathways program Report: Introduction to TEK in Wildlife Conservation

This report was the deliverable to successfully complete my Pathways internship.  I was happy to receive acknowledgement for serving 5 years with the National Park Service!  

Considerations for culturally sensitive TEK research in wildlife conservation

This article was the introductory chapter of my doctoral dissertation, that I revised and published in The Wildlife Society Bulletin in 2018.

Previous Undergraduate
​student research projects

I served as Coordinator for the Rroulou'sik Research Experience for Undergraduates 
​program (2016-2018) at Humboldt State University. 
Each of these Indigenous students' projects were completed under the program. 
​ It was such an honor to serve as program coordinator and to mentor these scholars!

Identification of elk habitat on yurok ancestral lands
​-2018-

Student: Matthew Marshall (Hupa)

Bridging genetic analysis and Yurok language to understand bobcat natural history
​-2017-

Student: Isabel Johnson (Chamoru)

hunting values
​of yurok
​-2016-

Student: Marc "Bubba" Riggins (Hupa)