Dr. Jonathon Valente
I am a research ecologist and statistician who uses advanced quantitative tools to answer questions at the intersection of fundamental ecology and applied conservation. My research aims to understand the factors impacting the distributions and population dynamics for individual species and whole communities, then use that information to identify populations of conservation concern and ultimately develop effective conservation and management actions. I am the Assistant Unit Leader of the Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, which means I am a federal scientist stationed at Auburn University. I also have a faculty appointment in the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and the Environment at Auburn, through which I teach and advise graduate students.
Sinka Khadijah Abubakar (MS student)
I am Sinka Khadijah Abubakar, a graduate student reading Natural Resources. Broadly, my research interest lies in remote sensing applications in the environment and for natural resources management. I have expertise in using GIS and remote sensing technologies for Landscape Mapping, Fragmentation Analysis, Land Use Land Cover Change and Intensity Analysis, and Carbon Stock Assessments. My current research focuses on using remote sensing to characterize vegetation structure in and around different Wildlife Management Areas across the state of Alabama as part of an Inventory and Conservation Planning action. I wish to become a great asset in the near future and contribute to regional and global discussions and engagements in line with Earth Observation for landscape analysis, forest monitoring, and biodiversity conservation.
Justin Hall (Research assistant)
I am the Inventory and Conservation Planning (ICP) Project Manager. I received my B.S in Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech in 2016. During this time, I worked on a variety of projects including small mammal live trapping, mammal camera trapping, and endangered species monitoring. After graduation, I worked as an endangered species survey technician, National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) lead technician and full-time ecologist, American robin field assistant, and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) CWD technician. My primary interests include migratory bird ecology, ecology, management, and conservation of shorebirds and secretive marsh birds, small mammal population dynamics, and the effects of forest management on bird and mammal populations.
Lucas Parvin (MS student)
I am interested in exploring the complexities of animal behavior, especially in response to environmental changes and human disturbance, in ways that inform and enhance management aimed at conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services.