Lab Members
Meet our students and staff, both past and present!
Dr. Courtney Conway
Principal Investigator
Courtney is the leader of the USGS Idaho Coop Unit, Professor of Wildlife Sciences, and Affiliate Professor of Biological Sciences. His recent research has focused on: demographic traits of greater sage grouse; conservation of northern Idaho ground squirrels; habitat suitability for marsh birds; the causes of migratory behavior of burrowing owls throughout North America; and the effects of management actions on wildlife populations.
Postdoc. Researcher
Neil Paprocki
Neil is from western New York, completed his B.Sc. in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University, and his M.Sc. in Raptor Biology from Boise State University. His research interests broadly encompass aspects of behavioral and population ecology of birds. In his free, time Neil enjoys birding, camping, hiking, running, skiing, and playing board games.
Research Associate
Kathryn Sliwa
Kathryn's research interests include movement ecology, conservation, and wildlife health and disease. She received a B.S. in Conservation and Wildlife Management from Delaware Valley University and earned a M.S. with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University—Kingsville. Her thesis focused on nilgai antelope movement ecology and how nilgai impact cattle fever tick eradication efforts in South Texas. Kathryn currently works on the Ridgway’s rail and secretive marsh bird projects in California and Arizona.
Research Associate
Cody Tisdale
Cody's research interests lie in how anthropogenic activities impact the environment and how wildlife species react to these various influences. He also has a particular interest in game species to ensure that populations are sustainably managed in the presence of both human encroachment as well as hunter harvest. Cody is currently working on the Grouse & Grazing Project studying the interactions between Greater sage-grouse and cattle grazing.
Ph.D. Student
Emily Martin
Emily received her B.A. in biology from Bates College in 2014 and spent the ensuing decade working on a wide variety of species, from the cryptic terrestrial salamanders of Shenandoah to the enigmatic forest elephants of Tanzania. Emily joined the Conway lab in the fall of 2022 after being awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. When she isn't thinking about snakes, Emily can usually be found hooting for owls or hiking with her dogs in the backcountry.
Ph.D. Student
Anthony Locatelli
Anthony is originally from Wisconsin. He went to the University of Minnesota for his B.S. and Texas A&M University for his M.S., both in wildlife biology. In general, Anthony is interested in avian ecology, spatial ecology, migration, conservation biology, wildlife management, and numerous other subjects. For his Ph.D. dissertation, he is focusing on postbreeding movements, migration resource selection, and survival of burrowing owls. In his spare time Anthony likes to hike, forage, bird, camp, watch the Packers, and go on road trips.
M.S. Student
Matthew Dunning
Matthew received his B.S. in Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2019 and spent the next few years traveling the country working with a variety of avian species. Matt joined the Conway lab in the Fall of 2024. His research interests include avian movement/migration and exploring the population structure of Burrowing Owls across their entire range. In his free, time Matt enjoys plant collecting and pursuing art projects.
M.S. Student
Emma Hakanson
Emma is from Minnesota and completed her B.S. in Natural Resources at Northland College. Before moving to Idaho, Emma’s experience primarily included data management, GIS, and electrofishing for minnows. She became a graduate student in 2024 and is interested in the effects of competition on population dynamics and spatial ecology. In her free time, Emma is usually playing a variety of video games, reading/listening to audiobooks, or talking to people about squirrels.
M.S. Student
Shelby McCahon
Shelby grew up in a small town in North Dakota where her current graduate research now takes place. For the past 10 years, she lived in Alaska and has worked on a variety of avian, small mammal, and toxicology projects. She graduated with her B.Sc. in Wildlife Biology in 2020 from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and started her master's degree in Natural Resources in Fall 2022. Outside of research, Shelby enjoys practicing aerial arts, backpacking, birding, and photography.
M.S. Student
Alice Morris
Alice is originally from Natick, Massachusetts. She received her B.A. in Biology from Boston University in 2014, and spent the next few years working for various universities and agencies on wildlife research projects around the U.S. before returning to school for her master’s. When she isn't catching squirrels, Alice loves hiking and backpacking to explore Idaho’s wilderness areas. She also loves drawing and painting, and often draws artistic inspiration from her research.
Research Technician
Rose An
Rose graduated from the University of Southern California in 2023 with both her Bachelor's and Master's in Environmental Studies. Rose has been as avid birder for over a decade and hopes to get a Ph.D. studying avian conservation. When she isn't actively thinking about or looking for birds, Rose can be found reading, crocheting, drawing, or playing video games.
Research Technician
Neylan Bryan
Neylan received her B.Sc. from Washington State University in 2023, majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. She has a broad range of research interests, but mammalian behavioral ecology takes the cake. Neylan loves everything active, artistic, and outdoors, and has a particular fondness for activities that combine these elements.
Research Technician
Natalya Hebert
Originally from upstate New York, Natalya graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology in 2022. For the next two years, she worked as a field technician on various projects around the country, primarily focused on movement and behavioral ecology. She now works as a research technician in the Conway Lab and is preparing to start a Master’s Degree studying Yuma Ridgway’s Rails later this year.
Former Members
Cydney Yost
M.S. Student, 2021-2025
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"Effects of selenium on Ridgway’s Rails."
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Wildlife Habitat Technician,
Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game
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Reese Wray
M.S. Student, 2021-2024
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"Effects of Noise from Military Flights on Behavior of Greater Sage-grouse."
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​Range & Wildlife Conservationist,​
Pheasants Forever (WY)
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Grace Overlie
M.S. Student, 2021-2024
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"Effects of Spring Cattle Grazing on Arthropod Communities in Idaho Sagebrush Ecosystems: Impacts for Greater Sage Grouse Conservation."​
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​Lab Manager,​​​​​​​​​
University of Idaho​​
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Kim Sawyer
M.S. Student, 2020-2024
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"Survival and Habitat Selection of Light-footed Ridgway’s Rails Differs Between Captive-released and Wild Juveniles: Effects of Time in Captivity, Release Date, and Tidal Stage."​​​​
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Biologist,​
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service​​​​
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Neil Paprocki
PhD. Student, 2019-2024
Postdoc. Researcher, 2024-Present​​​
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"Causes of Differential Migration in Birds."​​​​​​
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Anne Yen
M.S. Student, 2019-2024
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"Western and Clark's Grebes: status of range-wide breeding colonies and the factors that affect daily nest survival."​
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​Biologist,​​​
Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife​​​​​​​​​​
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Ty Styhl
M.S. Student, 2018-2024
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"Ontogenetic shifts in diet of sage-grouse chicks based on DNA metabarcoding."
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Ecological Projects Coordinator,
South Santiam Watershed Council​
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Dave Gotsch
M.S. Student, 2014-2024
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"Effects of cattle grazing on abundance of arthropod prey of the greater sage-grouse."
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Biologist,​​​​
WEST Inc.​​​​​
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Nolan Helmstetter
M.S. Student, 2019-2023
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"Influence of Land Use and Habitat on Sage-Grouse Nest Predators."
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Ph.D. Student,
Montana State University
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Bryan Stevens
Postdoc. Researcher, 2016-2018
Research Scientist, 2018-2023
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Led quantitative ecology and modeling projects on sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, and secretive marsh birds.
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Research Wildlife Biologist,
U.S. Forest Service​​​​​​​
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Austin Allison
M.S. Student, 2018-2022
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"Foraging behavior and survival of the northern Idaho ground squirrel are influenced by climate, hibernation behavior, endogenous state, and competition with a coexisting congener."
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Ph.D. Student,
Colorado State University​​​
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Deo Lachman
M.S. Student, 2016-2020
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"Behavioral and environmental factors affecting nest-site selection and nest survival in a colonial-nesting waterbird."
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Zone Data Biologist,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Andrew Meyers
Research Associate, 2016-2020
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Coordinated the Grouse & Grazing Project, a 10-year field experiment to quantify the effects of livestock grazing on Greater Sage-grouse.
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Wildlife Biologist,
Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife​​​​​​​​
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Carl Lundblad
M.S. Student, 2011-2014
Ph.D. Student, 2014-2020​​
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"Life-history Evolution, Abiotic Constraints, and Climate Adaptability of Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) Breeding Along a Latitudinal Gradient."
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Research Scientist,
U.S. Geological Survey​​​​
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Eamon Harrity
M.S. Student, 2016-2019
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"Remotely sensed metrics help map range-wide habitat suitability and identify habitat restoration priorities for an endangered marsh bird."
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Wildlife Project Manager,
Sky Island Alliance
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Ian Riley
M.S. Student, 2015-2019
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"Sampling methods for lek and brood counts of greater sage-grouse: accounting for imperfect detection."
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Assistant Wildlife Area Manager,
Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
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Amanda Goldberg
Ph.D. Student, 2013-2018
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"Diet, disease, and hibernation behavior of northern Idaho ground squirrels."
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Research Biologist,
U.S. Geological Survey
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Wes Glisson
Research Associate, 2014-2016
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Led development of spatial GIS models for secretive marsh birds throughout North America.
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Aquatic Plant Specialist,
Washington State Dept. of Ecology​​​​​​​
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Zach Swearingen
M.S. Student, 2012-2015
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"Effectiveness of management actions intended to benefit wildlife populations on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area."
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Regional Manager: Wildlife Habitat,
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
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Lynnette Dornak
Postdoc. Researcher, 2013-2014
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Coordinated nation-wide spatial analyses of GIS models to document the effectiveness of protected areas on conserving bird populations.
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Associate Professor,
University of Wisconsin-Platteville​​​​​​​​
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Maria Gerene Garcia
M.S. Student, 2010-2014
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"Why are burrowing owls declining in the northern portions of their breeding range?"
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Natural Science Instructor,
Mid-State Technical College
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Kathi Borgmann
Ph.D. Student, 2005-2010
Postdoc. Researcher, 2013-2014
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"Causes of seasonal changes in risk of avian nest predation in montane riparian areas: a test of alternative hypotheses."
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Communications Coordinator,
Cornell University
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Kristen Dillon
M.S. Student, 2010-2013
"Elevational gradients in avian clutch size."
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Habitat Management Plan Coordinator,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Meaghan Conway
Research Associate, 2008-2013
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Field crew leader on several research projects, including a study evaluating the effectiveness of fire as a restoration tool for endangered Yuma Ridgway's Rails and documenting variation in burrowing owl demographic traits.
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Fish and Wildlife Biologist,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service​​​​​​​​​​
Lenny Santisteban
Postdoc. Researcher, 2009-2010
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Led projects on secretive marsh birds throughout the United States.
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Chief Environmental Scientist,
Freeport-McMoRan​​​​​​​
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Dominic LaRoche
Research Associate, 2003-2011
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Coordinated several field-based research projects, including a study evaluating the effects of drought on desert riparian birds and another project on optimal survey methods for band-tailed pigeons.
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Senior Manager of Biostatistics,
Codetta Bio​​​​​​
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Alberto Macías-Duarte
Ph.D. Student, 2003-2011
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"Change in migratory behavior as a possible explanation of burrowing owl population declines in northern latitudes."
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Professor,
Sonora State University
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Christopher Nadeau
Research Associate, 2002-2011
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Project leader for projects on burrowing owls in Washington and secretive marsh birds in Arizona and California. Coordinated the National Marshbird Monitoring Program.
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Climate Change Adaptation Scientist,
Acadia National Park
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Brit Oleson
M.S. Student, began 2010
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"Why are burrowing owls attracted to agricultural areas in North America?"
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Wildlife Manager,
Arizona Game & Fish
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Chris Kirkpatrick
Research Associate, 2000-2010
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Led research projects on montane forest birds, desert riparian birds, buff-breasted flycatchers, red-faced warblers, and band-tailed pigeons.
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Physical Therapist,
Carondelt St. Mary's Hospital​​​​​
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Kari Decker
M.S. Student, 2007-2009
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"Seasonal decline in clutch size: A test of six alternative hypotheses."
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Director of Wildlife and Habitat,
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
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Sonya Steckler
M.S. Student, 2005-2009
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"Effects of vocal behavior on brood parasitism of Arizona Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii arizonae)."
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Clinical Liaison,
University Avon Rehabilitation Hospital
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Mark Ogonowski
M.S. Student, 2003-2007
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"Factors affecting migratory behavior of burrowing owls."
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Senior Fish and Wildlife Biologist,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Katie Hughes
M.S. Student, 2002-2007
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"Effects of nest-site selection on probability of nest despredation in band-taild pigeons."
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Assistant Director of Academic Advising,
University of Arizona
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W. Alice Boyle
Ph.D. Student, 2000-2006
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"Why do birds migrate? The role of food, habitat, predation, and competition."
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Associate Professor,
Kansas State University
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Sarah (Lantz) Reif
M.S. Student, 2002-2005
"Nesting ecology and habitat selection of western burrowing owls in the Thunder Basin National Grassland, Wyoming."
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Habitat Division Administrator,
Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
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Victoria Garcia
M.S. Student, 2001-2005
"Effects of food and ectoparasites on age of natal dispersal in burrowing owls."
Fish and Wildlife Biologist,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Lisa Ellis
Research Associate, 2002-2004
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Coordinated 4 study sites in Washington and Arizona, conducting detailed demographic studies of burrowing owls.
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Idaho State Supervisor,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Matthew Smith
M.S. Student, 2000-2004
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"Function of manure-scattering behavior of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia)."
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John Simon
Research Associate, 2000-2002
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Owner,
John Charles Simon Consulting
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