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Our Staff and Students
Current members
Sara Schweitzer
Professor - Wildlife Ecology and Management (50% Research, 50% Teaching)
Degrees
Ph.D., 1994. Oklahoma State University, Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology, (Dissertation: Abundance and conservation of endangered interior least terns nesting on salt flat habitat)
M.S., 1988. Texas Tech University, Department of Range and Wildlife Management, Wildlife Science (Thesis: Evaluation of forage species for improving deer habitat in the rolling plains)
B.S., 1985. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Biology
Areas of Research
Ecology and enhancement of wetland-dependent and beach-nesting bird populations and their habitats
Re-establishment, enhancement, and management of native herbaceous plant communities and the ecology of bird species dependent on them
Ecology and enhancement of declining wildlife populations, especially relative to human disturbance
Publications
Grants
Recognitions and Outstanding Achievements
2006. Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching, The University of Georgia, D.B. Warnell School of Forest Resources, Alumnae Association
2004. Granted membership, Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology by Secretary and Board of Directors
2002. Awarded J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Lecture/Research Grant, Sofia, Bulgaria, 18 September 2002 - 28 February 2003
2001. International Fellow, University of Georgia’s International Fellows Program, Office of Instructional Support and Development
2001. Inducted into Gamma Sigma Delta, Honor Society of Agriculture, University of Georgia Chapter, Athens
1997. Certificate of Appreciation for Contributions as Chair of Research Committee and member of Steering Committee, Georgia’s PIF Migratory Bird Conservation Program
1994. Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Dept. Zoology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
1994. Byron B. Moser Memorial Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement, Oklahoma Chapter of The Wildlife Society
1994. Certificate of Professionalism for the Outstanding Presentation at the 1993 Annual Meeting of the Oklahoma Academy of Science. From the Oklahoma Academy of Science and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
1990. Certificate of completion of Corps of Engineers Training Course Regulatory I, Arlington, Texas.
1989. Certificate of Promotion to GS-9, U.S. Department of the Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, VA
1988. Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Scholastic Honor Society, Texas Tech University Chapter, Lubbock
Mike Murphy
Research Professional - Wildlife Ecology and Management
Degrees
M.S., December 2004. University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources,
Forest Biology (Thesis: The Influence of Taproot Shape on Stem Form in Loblolly and Slash Pine)
B.S.F.R., June 1998. University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife
A.S., April 1992. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Wildlife Technology
Interests
Nongame wildlife management, Invasive plant and animal control, tree physiology
Hayden MARTIN
Masters Student 2007 - (Wildlife Ecology and Management)
Thesis: Wood Storks and Urban Wetlands in Jacksonville, Florida: Health and Contaminant Issues
Degrees
B.S. , Sewanee: The University of the South, Environmental Studies: Ecology and Biodiversity
Interests
Migratory Birds, Endangered Species, Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation
Gretchen E. Nareff
Masters Student 2007 - (Wildlife Ecology and Management)
Degrees
B.S., 2002, University of Vermont: Wildlife Biology
Interests
My research interests are the ecology and conservation of coastal waterbirds, including shorebirds, seabirds, waders, and waterfowl. I am also interested in endangered species recovery, ecosystem restoration, and control of exotic species. My first two internships out of undergraduate college were with captive breeding programs for the Whooping Crane and Mississippi Sandhill Crane. I am an avid birder and hawkwatcher and have competed in the New Jersey Audubon Society's World Series of Birding twice and won the New Hampshire Audubon Society's Bird-a-thon in 2006.
The Wildlife Society Travel Grant, September 2008 ($500)
“Best Paper—Runner-up” Georgia Chapter of The Wildlife Society, September 5, 2008
3rd place in Session V of the Graduate Symposium on February 27, 2009 ($100)
Gretchen has secured a position as an Ecologist with Quest Ecology outside of Tampa, FL.
Kate Spear
Masters Student 2006 - (Wildlife Ecology and Management)
Thesis: Avian Monitoring Within Tourist and Central Reserve Zones of Central Balkan National Park, Bulgaria
Women's Studies Graduate Certificate Program
Research Assistant, Bulgaria Study Abroad and Service Learning Program
Teaching Assistant, Techniques in Wildlife Management and International Issues in Wildlife Conservation
President, Warnell Graduate Student Association
Degrees
B.S.F.R., 2005, Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife
B.A., 2005, French, University of Georgia
Publications
Spear, K. A. 2007. “Lessons from an Indigenous People.” University of
Georgia Research Magazine, 36:2.
Spear, K. A. 2007. “The UGA Herbarium Houses State’s Vast Plant
Collection.” University of Georgia Research Magazine, 36:34.
Spear, K. A., S. H. Schweitzer, R. Goodloe, and D. Harris. 2007.
Effects of Management Strategies on the Reproductive Success of Least
Terns on Dredge Spoil in Georgia. Southeastern Naturalist, 6:27-34.
Carroll, J. P., B. C. Faircloth, and K. A. Spear. 2006. “Pheasant
Origins.” Pheasants Forever Journal, 22:90-92.
Spear, K. A. 2006. “Invasive Eel Lurks in Chattahoochee.” The Log,
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of
Georgia, 06S:17.
Spear, K. A. 2006. “UGA Faculty to Quell Quail Declines.” University
of Georgia Research Magazine, 35:5.
Spear, K. A. 2005. “Republic of Georgia Field Research Enriches,
Educates.” The Log,Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of
Georgia, 05F:13.
Spear, K. A. 2005. “Carter Visit Teaches Life Lessons.” The Log,
Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia, 05S:13.
Spear, K. A. 2004. “Croatia Beckons: Reborn Nation Strives for
Ecological, Social Balance.” The Forester’s Log, Warnell School of
Forest Resources, University of Georgia 04F:7,16.
Grants and Fellowships
2007 Monitoring human disturbance from increased ecotourism on wild
bird populations in Central Balkan National Park, Bulgaria.
International Research & Exchanges Board Individual Advanced Research
Opportunities Fellowship, funded by the US Department of State Title
VIII Program and the IREX Scholar Support Fund. (approx. $3000)
2007 Developing an avian population monitoring program for ecotourism
initiatives in Central Balkan National Park, Bulgaria. Georgia
Ornithological Society H. Branche Howe, Jr. Graduate Student Research
Grant. ($2500)
PATTI NEWELL
Ph. D. Student - 2013 (Wildlife Ecology and Management)
Degrees
M.S., May 2008. Lousiana State University. School of Renewable Natural Resources. Thesis "Pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) and saproxylic beetles in partial cut and uncut bottomland hardwood forests"
B.S., May 1999. University of New Brunswick, Canada. Forestry and Environmental Management. Thesis "Influence of forest service roads on predation of artificial nests"
Publications
Newell, P.J. and S.L. King. In review. Relative abundance and species richness of cerambycid beetles in partial cute and uncut bottomland hardwood forests. Submitted to Canadian J. For. Res., Feb 2009.
Newell, P.J. and S.L. King. In review. Foraging Behaviour of Pileated Woodpeckers in Partial cut and Uncut Bottomland Hardwood Forest. Submitted to Forest Ecology and Management, Jan. 2009.
Banfield, N.K. and P.J. Newell. In proc. First Record of Mangrove Warbler in Arizona. Accepted to Western Birds.
Newell, P.J., M.G. Pollock, C.F. Causey, E.H. Paxton, and M.K. Sogge. 2005. Survivirship and Movements of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers at Roosevelt Lake, Arizona - 2004. U.S. Geological Survey report to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix. 55pp.
Newell, P.J., E.H. Paxton, and M.K. Sogge. 2003. Survivorship and Movements of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers at Roosevelt Lake, Arizona - 2003. U.S. Geological Survey report to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix. 53pp.
Recognitions and Outstanding Achievements
1996, 1997 Alumnae Undergraduate Award, University of New Brunswick
1996 Professional Foresters Scholarship, University of New Brunswick
1997 Forestry Staff and Alumnae Scholarship, University of New Brunswick
1998 Kissick Memorial Prize, university of New Brunswick
Conference Presentations
2008 American Ornithologist Union Conference, Portland, Oregon
2008 Ivory-billed Woodpecker Symposium, LaFayette, Lousiana
2008 Lousiana Professional Biologists Meeting, LaFayette, Lousiana
Research Interests
Conservation of avian species, urban ecology, avian life cycle dynamic
Previous Students
Renee Carleton
Allyson Read
Masters Student - 2004 - 2007 (Wildlife Ecology and Management)
Degrees
M.S. , August 2007. University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources,
Wildlife Ecology and Management (Thesis: Experimental Restoration of Wiregrass Communities)
Publications
Read, A.S. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2007. “Experimental Restoration of Wiregrass Communities: A Preliminary
Comparison of Herbicide Treatments”. Ecological Restoration, March 2007.
Read, A.S. and S.H. Schweitzer. 2007. “A Preliminary Comparison of Herbicide Treatments in the Experimental
Restoration of Wiregrass Communities”. Georgia Forestry Today, March/April 2007.
Sean McGregor
Masters Student - 2004 - 2007 (Wildlife Ecology and Management)
Degrees
M.S. , August 2007. University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife Ecology
and Management
Gary Sundin
Masters Student 2004-2007 (Wildlife Ecology and Management)
Thesis: Reducing Impacts of Hopper Dredging on Marine Turtles in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Degrees
M.S. , May 2007. University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources,
Wildlife Ecology and Management
Gary is currently working as a Research Professional at Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
John Morgan
Masters Student 2000
Upland Game Biologist - Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
I.B. Parnel
M.S. 2002
Wildlife Biologist - Georgia Department of Natural Resources
John B. Sabine
M.S. 2005
Angela B. McMellen
Ph.D. 2006
Policy Fellowship - Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C.
Guo-Jing Weng
Ph.D. 2007
Post-Doctoral Research Scientist - Taiwan
Jamie Managan
M.S. 2006
Wildlife Biologist