Kathleen Petersen, PhD Student
I am a PhD student co-advised by Dr. Sarah Sells and Dr. Alex Metcalf. I earned my MS at the University of Idaho, where I studied wolf dispersal using genetic and genomic methods. I have worked in a variety of wildlife field research positions across the West, including predator-prey studies capturing ungulates and black bears, bighorn sheep disease and population monitoring, mesocarnivore camera traps, and avian surveys. These experiences, along with my work with wildlife agencies, have shaped my interest in applied ecology. My research interest focuses on the behavioral and population dynamics of large mammals using quantitative ecology and non-invasive approaches. I am interested in applying these tools to both fundamental questions and applied conservation challenges, with particular emphasis on how human dimensions shape decision-making in carnivore management and how harvest influences carnivore populations. Outside of research, my life revolves around the hunting seasons. You can usually find me chasing my bird dog through canyons, archery hunting, or backpacking into a mountain lake to fly fish.