Pennsylvania People

Duane Diefenbach Unit Leader Email: ddiefenbach@psu.edu Website: http://setterrunfarm.com Tel: (814) 865 - 3992

Upon completion of my Ph.D. I worked for the Pennsylvania Game Commission as their biometrician for 7 years. There I began my current research involving grassland sparrows and black bears. Since 1999 I have been a research scientist with the Pennsylvania Unit and enjoy the challenges in integrating research to improve management decisions.

Tyler Wagner Assistant Unit Leader Email: txw19@psu.edu Tel: (814) 865 - 4511

David Walter Assistant Unit Leader Email: wdwalter@psu.edu Tel: (814) 867 - 4763

After finishing my Ph.D. I served as a post-doctoral Researcher at the National Wildlife Research Center for nearly 5 years. A majority of my research explores spatial ecology of various species throughout the U.S. using GIS to further our understanding of wildlife presence/absence, nutrition, and disease.

BJ Scovern Administrative Secretary Email: bys5@psu.edu Tel: (814) 865 - 4511

Frances Buderman Email: feb5019@psu.edu Tel: (814) 865 - 0772

I received my B.S. in Natural Resources, with a concentration in Applied Ecology, from Cornell University in 2010. During my time there I was a laboratory assistant in a wetland ecology lab and a fish ecology lab. I have also been an undergraduate research intern at two biological field stations. At the Rutgers University Marine Field Station I used dual frequency identification sonar to look at bait fish association with pier habitat in the Hudson River. At the University of Virginia Mountain Lake Biological Station I did a red-backed salamander mark-recapture study to assess potential differences in encounter probability between age classes and search method using Pollock’s robust design. I enjoyed the mark-recapture study so much that I decided to pursue similar work for my M.S degree. In the fall of 2010 I started my M.S. at the Pennsylvania State University with Duane Diefenbach.

Devin DeMario Email: dad314@psu.edu

I received my bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science in December of 2007 from California University of Pennsylvania where I completed an independent Honor’s Thesis assessing the presence of endocrine disruption in carp downstream of sewage effluents in the Monongahela River. After graduation I worked as a Fisheries Biologist Aide for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) until August 2008 when I began work as a research technician for the PA USGS CFWRU. Before beginning my Master’s degree I aided in assessing the effects of panfish enhancement regulations in PA lakes with Dr. Tyler Wagner and the PFBC, as well as fish health in the Susquehanna, Potomac, and Shenandoah River’s with Dr’s Vicki Blazer and Luke Iwanowicz of USGS. When I am not working on my thesis I enjoy spending time doing the things that led me to pursue a higher education in natural resource science, hunting and fishing.

Jefferson Deweber Email: jtdeweber@gmail.com

Like most in the field of fisheries science, I spent most of my free hours as a child fishing and enjoying the outdoors. I realized at a young age that I would like to find a career related to these interests, and have never been seriously interested in anything else. I graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in Biology in 2007, and then a M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech in 2010. I am now enjoying my research and ongoing education as a PhD candidate in the PA Fish and Wildlife Coop Unit.

Jason Hill Email: jmh656@psu.edu

Originally from Marshalltown, Iowa Jason earned his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana in 2001. After a yearlong stint working with sea otters for the USGS in Central California, Jason returned to ornithological field research. He participated in research studies in Costa Rica (house wrens), New York (barn swallows), Florida (red-cockaded woodpeckers), Minnesota (American woodcock), California (cavity-nesting birds), and Maui (po'ouli capture team). He completed his M.S. in Ecology at University of Connecticut under Chris Elphick studying post-fledging ecology of saltmarsh sparrows. He is current finishing his PhD at Penn State in Ecology under Duane Diefenbach studying the population dynamics of grassland sparrows on reclaimed surface mines.

Megan Kepler Email: mvk10@psu.edu

My interest in the field of fisheries biology began at a very young age. As I began thinking about my career goals, I wanted to explore the broader field of biology to really get a feeling of how encompassing biology truly was. I attended Lock Haven University and pursued a biology degree with concentrations in cellular and environmental biology. During that time, I was able to complete internships that strengthened my fisheries knowledge, one with the Clinton County Conservation District and a second with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. After this point, I knew I wanted to continue my education and also gain more work experience. I began working as a research technician for Dr. Tyler Wagner of the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit where I was able to assist in a wide variety of research projects. Currently I am a pursuing a master’s degree with Dr. Tyler Wagner as my advisor. My thesis work will focus on Comparative Lake Trout Bioenergetics. Additionally, I enjoy spending most of my spare time outside. Whether it is hunting, fishing or just taking a walk with my dogs, my love for the outdoors has always been a large part of my life and has helped develop my career path.

Clayton Lutz Email: cvl5193@psu.edu

Growing up in central Pennsylvania, I spent most of my childhood exploring the ridges and valleys of the Appalachians. I was fascinated with wildlife and tried to learn anything I could about the plants and animals that I encountered. Consequently, it was a natural fit for me to pursue a career in wildlife. I began by attending Juniata College, where I received a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Environmental Science. While at Juniata, I conducted research on the nesting ecology of map turtles, and my passion for scientific research and wildlife conservation was formed. After graduation, I worked as a nongame biologist for 4 years with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, where I conducted research on the desert tortoise, Sonoran tiger salamander, and Kanab ambersnail. In 2006, I returned to PA to work as a private consultant performing research on bat migration and habitat use, as well as to administer presence/absence surveys in relation to wind energy development. In 2008, I began working for the PA Game Commission trapping, tagging, and radio-tracking white-tailed deer. I began my graduate studies at Penn State in the spring of 2010. My thesis research topic is female dispersal patterns in white-tailed deer. I am also currently a Wildlife Diversity Biologist with the PA Game Commission. I still get the same thrill out of being outdoors and learning about wildlife but now I enjoy sharing those experiences with my wife, one-year-old daughter, and our energetic chocolate lab.

Kelley Salvesen Email: kes33@psu.edu

I attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington and earned my bachelor’s of science in Marine Biology. I started at The Pennsylvania State University in fall 2010, as a Master’s student.

Lori Smith Email: las583@psu.edu

I have always had a strong passion for the outdoors, but it wasn’t until I began my undergraduate studies that I realized I could combined my love for the outdoors with my education. In May 2011 I graduated from Lycoming College with a B.S. in biology/ecology. Throughout my time at Lycoming College I had the opportunity to strengthen my knowledge and experience in fisheries. I have completed internships with National Trout Unlimited, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission working on their unassessed waters initiative. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at their Northeast Fisheries Center. Additionally, during my senior year at Lycoming College I completed an independent honor’s thesis assessing the microhabitat selection of brook and brown trout. Realizing that I wanted to continue to enhance my education within the field, I decided to pursue a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries. Currently I am working with Dr. Tyler Wagner where my thesis work will focus on the seasonal movement dynamics and habitat use of brook and brown trout in north central Pennsylvania. Aside from my studies, I enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, and scuba diving all of which have inspired my present career ambitions.

David Stainbrook Email: david.stainbrook@gmail.com

Before beginning my graduate research with the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, I worked as a biologist aide for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, where I trapped and VHF-collared white-tailed deer, and banded mourning doves, Canada geese, and several species of ducks. I grew up in Northwestern, PA and received my B.S. in biology from Allegheny College in 2007, with a focus in pre-veterinary science. I spend most of my free time outdoors hunting, fishing, hiking, and traveling.

Wendy Vreeland Email: wcv3@psu.edu

As a late bloomer in the field of hunting and fishing, I have been enjoying the outdoors through many different activities beyond my family camping trips as a youngster. Having grown up along the south shore of Long Island, New York, my outdoor experiences included weekend sailing trips to the beach. While in high school, attending an ornithology course changed my life’s path. After completing my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Wildlife Management at the University of Maine, my work experiences have taken me through Maine, Vermont, California and currently Pennsylvania. Aside from hunting and fishing, I spend a lot of time with my husband gardening, making wine and beer, photography, and caring for our English bulldog.

Bret Wallingford Email: bwallingfo@state.pa.us

Bret Wallingford is a deer biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Deer and Elk Management Section in the Bureau of Wildlife Management. His primary responsibilities include population analyses and research of white-tailed deer in PA.

Bret attended Penn State University to earn a B.S. degree in Environmental Resource Management. He then attended North Carolina State University and conducted research on white-tailed deer on Remington Farms (now Chesapeake Farms) to earn his M.S. degree in Wildlife Biology. He began his career with the PGC in July 1990, working for 5 years on pheasant research. From 1995 to the present, Bret has worked on white-tailed deer management and research. He organizes the collection of sex-age-kill data for deer harvests, calculates the population estimates, and makes recommendations for antlerless allocations and deer hunting seasons. He also coordinates activities for the Section’s research activities, which includes Game Commission technicians and graduate students.

Bret is a certified wildlife biologist and a member of the Wildlife Society, and the Northeast Deer Technical Committee. He is married, has two children, and lives in Centre County, Pennsylvania. His time is spent gardening, coaching baseball, cutting firewood, and spending as much time as possible hunting, fishing, and exploring the fields and forests with his children. Bret has been an avid deer hunter for more than 35 years.