Biography
My teaching and research emphasize the relationship between ecosystem dynamics and the spatial patterns that these forces create. I use geospatial technology to quantify these spatio-temporal patterns in heterogenous landscapes. The landscapes I most often work in are arid and semi-arid rangelands, high elevation Great Basin forests, and tropical environments. I truly enjoy teaching undergraduate and graduate students at BYU. The connection between science and gospel principles intrigues me.
Research Interests
My research emphasizes the spatial and temporal dynamics of rangeland ecosystems, plant community dynamics and animal – habitat interactions. I utilize geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technology to answer ecological questions. I am currently working in seven areas of wildland spatial ecology, rangeland ecology and management, and forest ecology and management.Teaching Interests
I currently teach four courses in the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences: Forest Management and Ecology (PWS 419), Rangeland Planning and GIS (PWS 417), Rangeland Landscape Ecology and GIS (PWS 512), and Environmental Biology (PWS 150). In 2023 I taught 1st Year Foundations (UNIV 101) and in 2024 will be teaching PWS 494R (PWS Seminar). I taught BIO 100 - Principles of Biology for 7 years (2008-2014) and PWS 324 - Wildlife Law Enforcement for 2 years (2014-2016).Honors and Awards
- Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Life Sciences (2023 - 2023)
- Teaching Award, Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences (2022 - 2022)
- Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University (2013 - 2013)
- Early Career Teaching Award, Society for Range Management (2012 - 2012)
- Young Scholar Award, Brigham Young University (2012 - 2012)
- 2nd place Ph.D. Oral Presenation competition., Society for Range Management Annual Conference, SLC, Utah (2004 - 2004)
- Department of Rangeland Resources Outstanding Doctoral Student of the Year award, Oregon State University (2003 - 2003)
- First Place Ph.D. Award for the University Graduate Student Conference Science poster competition, Oregon State University (2003 - 2003)
- 1st place Oral Presentation Competition, Society for Range Management, Kona, Hawaii (2001 - 2001)
Memberships
- Society for Range Management (1997 - Present)
- The Wildlife Society (2012 - 2021)
- Society for Conservation GIS (2013 - 2020)
- International Association for Landscape Ecology (2002 - 2008)
- American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (2001 - 2005)
- Society for Ecological Restoration (1998 - 2000)
Professional Citizenship
- Committee/Council Member, Humane Society of America (2016 - Present)
- Committee/Council Member, Society for Range Management (2016 - Present)
- Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Peer Reviewer for Professional Journals (2007 - Present)
- Committee/Council Member, Society for Range Management (2016 - 2016)
- Committee/Council Member, National Academy of Science (2011 - 2013)
- Committee/Council Chair, Society for Range Management (2011 - 2012)
- Committee/Council Chair, SRM Wildlife Habitat Committee (2008 - 2009)