Read Mikey's blog about his field work in the Falkland Islands from March 15 to May 6.

PhD. Candidate in Ecology, Department of Zoology & Physiology

Graduate Fellow

Topics for the Classroom:

Ecology

Animal Biology

Conservation Biology

Mathematical Modeling

Animal Dissections

Genetics

Evolution

B.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) and Philosophy from Vanderbilt University

Current Research:

Rats (Rattus spp.) have been introduced to thousands of islands around the world, causing detrimental effects to native flora and fauna. I study the effects of invasive Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) on passerine birds in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). (The Falklands are located off the southeast coast of Argentina.) Using a dataset of surveys from 150 islands, I study the differences in metacommunity dynamics between islands with rats from those without rats. I also study the effects of rodent eradications on birds.


Background:

I grew up in Missouri and always enjoyed the outdoors. I moved to Tennessee for college and stayed there, attempting to start a business that produced 100% biodegradable packaging peanuts. When the economy crashed, I decided to go back to school and to move to my favorite part of the country-the West. I really enjoy living and playing in the mountains. I’m passionate about my research and other conservation issues.