I am currently the Assistant Wildlife Disease Specialist for Alberta Fish and Wildlife. Two important projects that I am currently immersed in, are the Provincial Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program and the Provincial Bison disease surveillance program. Wildlife disease has always been of great interest to me, in particular parasite ecology.
Not to be forgotten, I also have a particular interest in the population genetics of various wildlife species. For the last 10 years I have been involved in several projects which have examined the relationship between effective dispersal events and habitat fragmentation. I have also worked in the field of wildlife forensics, in particular, developing new methods to extract and amplify DNA from atypical sources such as antler, animal hide and faecal material.
I am currently engaged in several population genetics and wildlife disease projects including:
- Examining a contemporary analysis of the genetic population structure of wild bison in Alberta. It is hoped that these results will be analysed in tandem with disease surveillance data to determine dispersal routes on the landscape that could foster the transfer of Bovine TB and Brucellosis known to infect several herds within the province.
- Examination of American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) structure. New nesting sites have been discovered over the last year that are not in the known distribution of this species. We hope to determine from where these birds originated.
- Determining the parasitic fauna of North American Cougars (Puma concolor cougar) in Alberta. There is currently very little data on the species of parasites these animals harbour. This data may also provide information on interactions of this species with other intermediate hosts, and the types of prey species.
- Beginning a survey of Barred Owl blood parasites.
I am always open to collaboration on new scientific endevours, so please, drop me a line if there is something I can help you with.
Cheers