Welcome!
Margot Wood in Costa Rica
Hello! I am Margot Wood, and I conduct my work in a biological corridor in central Costa Rica. My work focuses on environmental policies and mammal population ecology. My summer home is a beautiful biological field station located in the misty cloud forest. I share a research site with my fellow blogger, good friend and researcher, Kelsey Neam. I am an avid traveler and love to explore new places and try new foods. I look forward to sharing my research travels with you, and especially look forward to sharing mammal pictures from my camera traps.
Kelsey Neam in Costa Rica
Greetings! I am Kelsey Neam – a graduate student by day and a graduate student by night. My research focuses on the spatial ecology of three-toed sloths in a mosaic landscape. When I am not taking courses and writing grants in Texas, I can be found in the paradise that is Costa Rica. I am fortunate enough to conduct my research in a beautiful country teeming with biodiversity alongside a colleague and longtime friend, Margot Wood. I can’t wait to share my summer adventures! Stay tuned!
Mike Petriello in Nicaragua
Hola (obligatory !). No, seriously, I’m really happy you’re reading this right now! I’m Mike Petriello (see my picture above, yeah, that’s me). This summer will be my third trip back to southwestern Nicaragua, where I will be starting a project to understand how different natural resource monitoring programs (hunting programs) and conflicts over natural resource issues affect what people know and how people learn about forests and animals (in academic terms this is called Local Ecological Knowledge). Although I’m a graduate student, I also do other things with the 5% of my life not devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, just like Margot, Kelsey, and Katherine. I’m a casual birder and budding photographer, two hobbies that go hand-in-hand for many nature enthusiasts and add to my excitement and anticipation for this summer! Stay tuned for some great photos and stories at the forefront of biodiversity conservation from the heart of Central America!
Katherine Dennis
Hello, I’m Katherine Dennis! Considering that my Peace Corps experience helped develop my academic interests, I’m very excited that my research will take me back to Panama. I will be working in a watershed area in central Panama looking at: agricultural systems and sustainable development practices of farming groups; environmental perceptions; and environmental policies associated with watershed and protected area management. I look forward to collaborating with other Applied Biodiversity Science (ABS) students working in the area.
Central America: Applied Biodiversity Science 