Research/Teaching Experience:
Visiting Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Biology/Dept of Environmental Science Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI Teaching UG courses: Ecology and Conservation with lab (BIOL224) Environmental Science (ENVS115) Behavioral Ecology with lab(BIOL390) Animal Behaviour with lab(BIOL290) Wildlife Ecology with lab(BIOL390) Form and Function with lab (BIOL390) |
Assistant Professor of Research
Ceasar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
Texas A&M University-Kingsville, TX
Evaluation of breeding mottled duck survey project in TX and LA State. Conduct spatial analysis of mottled duck population distribution in the western Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana. Investigate the environmental variables influencing visibility correction factors. Revise the existing survey to better meet the requirements of the survey team. Evaluate South Texas Brush Country and Rio Grande valley ecozone for identifying possible duck habitat and survey areas. Collaboration with science team from USFWS, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. and Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Ceasar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute
Texas A&M University-Kingsville, TX
Evaluation of breeding mottled duck survey project in TX and LA State. Conduct spatial analysis of mottled duck population distribution in the western Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana. Investigate the environmental variables influencing visibility correction factors. Revise the existing survey to better meet the requirements of the survey team. Evaluate South Texas Brush Country and Rio Grande valley ecozone for identifying possible duck habitat and survey areas. Collaboration with science team from USFWS, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. and Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Azrieli Fellow / Post-Doctoral Researcher
Ben- Gurion University of the Negev, Israel Tested game theory models of behavioral interactions between predator (egret) and prey (goldfish) in spatially heterogeneous environments (collaborative work with Dr William Mitchell, Indiana State University). Testing the effect of different prey densities, food availability and killing efficiency of predators on outcomes of behavioral interactions. We particularly tested if predator-prey behavioural games to changed or novel environments match the quantitative behavioural predictions of optimality theory. We asked if the behaviours that evolved in natural circumstances help species make the transition, or will they be maladaptive to changing conditions. This is important, as organisms will rely increasingly on their ability to adapt to human-dominated habitats. Our results indicated that both players respond behaviorally to each other and can tailor their behaviour to take advantage of the other player’s response to maximise their fitness. We also tested how variations in predator-prey personalities (bold versus shy individuals) influence predator-prey foraging games. |
GIS Specialist (Movement Ecology co-operative project)
Sir Sandford Fleming College, ON and University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Analyzed through spatial and statistical analysis, the movement ecology metrics (distance moved, edge crossing speed, turn direction and angles) of 15 GPS collared elephant concerning forest and river edges in Kruger National Park. Mapped the distribution of elephant clusters-annual home ranges in relation to a number of forest edges and rivers encountered. Visualization of movement data in Google earth and project results through Microsoft Visual basic .NET Add-in toolbars in ArcMap.
Sir Sandford Fleming College, ON and University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Analyzed through spatial and statistical analysis, the movement ecology metrics (distance moved, edge crossing speed, turn direction and angles) of 15 GPS collared elephant concerning forest and river edges in Kruger National Park. Mapped the distribution of elephant clusters-annual home ranges in relation to a number of forest edges and rivers encountered. Visualization of movement data in Google earth and project results through Microsoft Visual basic .NET Add-in toolbars in ArcMap.
Postdoctoral Associate
Lakehead University, Dept. of Biology Studied long-term population dynamics of small mammals in the boreal ecosystem in relation to climate change. Analyzed long-term data sets (30 years) on marked and recaptured animals for their survivability/reproductive status and density-dependent habitat selection. Analyzed climate variables to detect changes in the long term. Space use and vigilance of snowshoe hares while measuring foraging tenacity in artificial resource patches placed in risky open versus safe alder habitat. |
Lecturer
Lakehead University, Dept. of Biology
Taught the mandatory “Evolutionary Concepts” course to 65 undergraduate students in Biology. Developed course material for classroom lectures and lab sessions.
Lakehead University, Dept. of Biology
Taught the mandatory “Evolutionary Concepts” course to 65 undergraduate students in Biology. Developed course material for classroom lectures and lab sessions.
PhD Candidate
Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University Thesis: Domestic ungulates in protected areas and the potential for indirect interactions via shared predation In many parts of the world, protected areas harbor permanent livestock that range freely with native herbivores. Studies dealing with livestock in protected areas have primarily focused on interactions such as competition for food resources with native herbivores, habitat degradation, and human-carnivore conflicts caused by livestock depredation. The negative effects of such interactions are a major threat to the survival of many mammalian prey and predator species. However, the role of indirect interactions between native herbivores and domestic prey, via their common enemy, has received comparatively little attention and poses a significant knowledge gap in understanding the net impacts of domestic prey on native herbivores |
M.Sc. Candidate (Desert Sciences)
Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel Thesis: Influence of cover on the foraging behavior of Negev Desert gerbils Cover types differ in their properties of providing safety and concealment for prey species. We studied the influence of three different cover types on patch use, foraging behavior and resource competition of two coexisting desert rodents (G. a. allenbyi and G. pyramidum) in the Negev desert. We experimentally manipulated the availability of cover types in the sandy habitats, thus manipulating the predator lethality towards the rodents. We used artificial food patches ("electronic seed trays") to record the foraging behavior of the gerbils that were individual marked and identified by PIT tags. We used sand tracking to aid in measuring the activities of foxes, snakes, and gerbils in the experimental plots. |
Park Biologist/Consultant
Gir National Park and Sanctuary, Gujarat State, India Assisted Divisional forest manager in wildlife conservation of critically endangered Asiatic lion, carried out research projects and prepared technical reports and scientific articles on wildlife management and population estimates, assisted in preparation for protected area management plan, coordinated with several research consultants and academicians for the World Bank-funded eco-development projects, organized seminars and training workshops conducted by the management for the stakeholders, maintained office library. |