people

Current Graduate Students

The following individuals are graduate students in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy. They include only a portion of students from our extensive graduate program.

Note: Every attempt is made to keep this list current, but some students listed here may already have graduated from the program.

 

Bauer, Amy
E-mail: abauer@thalia.org
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: I am interested in the policy process and collaboration in environmental governance in regards to marine ecology, specifically marine mammal and coral reef conservation.

 

Blackwell, Kate A.
E-mail: cblackw4@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: The population ecology and genetics of an isolated cetacean population in order to establish baseline information for the population, which will be used to make recommendations regarding its conservation status and actions to take in order to preserve/maintain the population.

 

Brake, Robin
E-mail: r-brake@earthlink.net
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: Participatory modeling, specifically applying spatial models and participatory social processes to identify problem resolutions to environmental situations.   

 

Carpenter, Adam
E-mail: acarpen8@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Human-environment interactions, abilities and limitations of technical solutions to environmental problems, clean energy and climate change issues, and other environmental concerns.

 

Castleberry, Sarah
E-mail: scastleb@gmu.edu
Program: MS Policy track
Research Interest: Public awareness of ocean acidification and other marine conservation issues.

 

Castro, Antonio
E-mail: acastro6@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: My focus of study is co-management of environmental resources through stakeholder engagement and how these management approaches perform in the absence of formal policy structures. Specifically, I will be analyzing marine resource management programs developed by artisanal fishing communities in Latin America.

 

Cella, Emily L.
E-mail: elux@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Marine conservation policy.

 

Crerar, Lorelei
E-mail: lorelei@prestigious.com
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: I am interested in studying Sirenian population genetics. Using ancient bone samples, I hope to develop a haplotype map for an extinct relative of the Florida manatee we have here in the United States. Since there are only two families of Sirenians left on the planet, examination of an extinct relative may lead to conclusions about how to preserve the remaining members of this incredibly reduced order.

 

Didoha, Alexandra V. (Xann)
E-mail: adidoha@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Marine protected areas.

 

Draheim, Megan
E-mail: mdraheim@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: I am interested in the ecology of free-roaming canids and other predators in urban areas. I am currently working in Rock Creek Park in DC studying coyotes, red fox, and gray fox. I also study human attitudes towards predators and predator-human conflicts.

 

Dutta, Trishna
E-mail: tdutta@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: I am interested in looking at the effectiveness of corridors in maintaining genetic connectivity between populations of leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) in Central India. I plan to use non-invasively collected scat and/or hair samples as a source for genetic data. I want to see what (if any) kind of barriers exist to gene flow (e.g. human density, roads, dams, rivers, etc) for this species.

 

Engelman, Lisa
E-mail: lengelma@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Climate Change, Population growth, water resources

 

Fazio, Jillian
E-mail: jfazio@gmu.edu
Program: MS Science track
Research Interest: Temperament in clouded leopards and whether this is a factor that effects aggression and reproductive success in clouded leopards. Whether specific behaviours can be a predictor of possible reproductive success, contrasting between hard-reared and mother reared leopards.
Winner of Outstanding MS Student of 2010 Award

 

Fine, Bob
E-mail: bfine@conservation.org
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Understanding the economic and productive impacts of investments in information technology on achieving conservation outcomes on the ground.

 

Fowler, Chuck
E-mail: cfowler@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Risk-based decision tools for environmental issues.

 

Geiger, Brandy
E-mail: brandy.geiger@amec.com
Program: Graduate Certificate
Research Interest: I am interested in watershed planning, GIS, BMP’s and Low Impact Development.

 

Gleason, Christine
E-mail: cgleaso2@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: My research interest include marine mammal conservation and bridging the gap between education and research. I am particularly interested in the conservation awareness and attitudes of local stakeholders and whale watching tourists and how information collected from these groups can improve both land and boat based education programs.

 

Goldberg, Lisa
E-mail: lwilliae@gmu.edu
Program: MS Environmental Science and Policy
Research Interest: Wetlands and water management.

 

Groover, Richard
E-mail: rgroover@reynolds.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: My research interests primarially focus on dragonflies, mostly their natural history and behavior. Additonally I am researching their dispersal to new or re-constructed lentic habitats.

 

Hanley, Tom
E-mail: tjoom_hanley@urscorp.com
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: Coastal processes, riverine processes, historical ecology, environmental geology, groundwater hydrology.

 

Hansen, Anne
E-mail: ahansen1@gmu.edu
Program: MS Science track
Research Interest: Early Life History, Habitat Use, and Microsatellite Allele Frequency of Two Common Reef Fishes (T. bifasciatum and S. partitus) in Marine Protected Areas of the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico.  I am looking at some of the northernmost tropical reefs on the North American continent.  Currently not much is known about reefs in this region.  A better understanding of the relationship between the fish and reefs of the region is essential to the management of the marine protected areas.

 

Hauck, Jennifer
E-mail: jhauck1@gmu.edu
Program: MS Environmental Science and Policy
Research Interest: Riparian buffer effects on freshwater macro invertebrate diversity.

 

Hendren, Alex
E-mail:
Program: MS Science track
Research Interest: Public awareness of cetacean conservation issues.

 

Hough, Suzanne
E-mail: shough@gmu.edu
Program: MS Science track
Research Interest: Effectiveness of educational methods at the Smithsonian National Zoo.

 

Keltner, Susan
E-mail: skeltner@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: I’m interested in sustainable development and how it relates to business.

 

Kester, Marieke
E-mail: mkester2@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Committee: Larry Rockwood, Nucharin Songsasen (Smithsonian), Elizabeth Freeman and E. Chris Parsons
Research Interest: I am primarily interested in olfactory communication in the maned wolf, a canid endemic to South America. Through chemical analyses of urine, feces and air, I am working to identify and isolate olfactory communication compounds (called semiochemicals). These compounds will then be used in bioassays with maned wolves in captivity to test their biological role.

 

Luksenburg, Jolanda
E-mail: jluksenb@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: Marine mammals, including cetaceans, play an important role in the structure, function and productivity of marine ecosystems, but knowledge of cetacean species is highly disparate. The rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) is a widely distributed but poorly known species. This research project will provide high-quality biological information on the rough-toothed dolphin which can be used to understand the natural history of the species, assess the species’ conservation status and design future conservation projects. Six major aspects will be investigated in detail: abundance, distribution and habitat use, social structure, vocal repertoire, the effect of anthropogenic noise on vocal behavior, and population genetics. For this project, two years of field work will be carried out in the waters of Aruba. This project will enable a detailed assessment of the effects of whalewatching on the biology of the rough-toothed dolphin and will provide a basis for sustainable whalewatching in Aruba. This project will give high priority to working with local people and will serve as a starting point for improving the awareness of marine wildlife among the local population and tourists. This project will serve as the start of a research program on Aruba focusing on the biology and conservation of its rich marine wildlife.

 

Marshall McLean, Kim
E-mail: kimmarshall66@yahoo.com
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Environmental literacy; science/ocean literacy and communication; early childhood/children and nature research. My research investigates the importance of mentoring and early childhood experiences in lifelong marine/environmental stewardship. I am a biologist (M.S.) with NOAA and work on resolving issues in marine conservation.

 

Miranda-Castro, Leopoldo
E-mail: lmiranda@gmu.edu or leopoldo_miranda@fws.gov
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Restoration of shade coffee plantations particularly in tropical Hawaii and Puerto Rico) for the benefit of native, endemic, and migratory wildlife. In addition I am analyzing current environmental and marketing policies and how they could be used to promote shade coffee plantations as biological corridors and buffers linking established natural reserves.

 

O'Bryhim, Jason
E-mail: jobryhim@gmu.edu
Program: MS Science track
Research Interest: My research interests include investigating people’s knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of elasmobranchs (specifically sharks) and what effect these may have on shark conservation. Understanding what may be affecting people’s stances on shark conservation (negative or positive) is important because from this we can then devise methods to further educate the public on issues involving these animals. There are few national or international laws protecting sharks and having the knowledge of what can be done to get support from the public for new legislation is critical.
Winner of Outstanding MS Student of 2009 Award

 

Patterson, Katheryn
E-mail: kpatter3@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Committee: Dr. Esther Peters (Chair), Dr. Robert Jonas, Dr. Patrick Gillevet, Dr. E.C.M. Parsons, Dr. C. Frankenfeld
Research Interest:I am interested in the complexity of marine conservation issues at large and bridging the gap between research and policy makers to invoke change. Specifically, I am now working on coral disease issues in the Florida Keys as our coral reefs are in severe decline. Coral reef diseases have increased exponentially over the last three decades, particularly in the Caribbean, and these diseases have played a major role in the decline of the reef systems. My current research focuses on characterizing the mircroflora of Acropora cervicornis (staghorn coral) and its surrounding environment in order to examine its role in the tissue loss diseases that affect the coral.
Winner of Outstanding MS Student of 2010 Award

 

Razafinjatovo, Paul Philippe
E-mail: prazafin@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Committee: Dr. E.C.M. Parsons (Chair), Dr. Sebastian Troeng
Research Interest: My research interests extend across marine conservation, fisheries, marine spatial planning and other uses of the marine environment, including maritime transportation and ocean energy. I am particularly interested in the provision of effective management that ensures sustainable economic development and protection of the marine environment. Conflicts among ocean users, loss of economic opportunities and degradation of the marine environment result from lack of effective management ant policy. My research studies the needs of the different marine related activities and the search for harmonized cohabitation of such activities in a healthy marine environment.

 

Richardson, Trent
E-mail: trichar2@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: The aquatic sciences, and in particular, mapping coastal environments of the mid-Atlantic region. His dissertation is a geospatial analysis of the environmental and geomorphic changes of Parramore Island, Virginia. The study includes quantifying shoreline movement, detecting vegetative change, and discussing the effects of major storms.

 

Robinson, Kristi
E-mail: krobinso@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: My research, which began in 2001, has looked at comparative dietary trends and space use for three sympatric canids in a Mid-Atlantic ecosystem:  coyote, gray fox, and red fox.  Techniques have been designed to be non-invasive, and have included scat analysis, studying tracks, and DNA work.  The study area comprises 60,000 acres.

 

Roland, Adele
E-mail: aroland@gmu.edu
Program: MS Science track
Research Interest:I am interested in marine biology and marine conservation.  Currently I am looking at the population dynamics of a group of bottlenose dolphins in the Dominican Republic.  These animals live near/in a national park which provides limited marine protection.  Public interest in the dolphins could be leveraged to create greater protection for marine resources in that area.  

 

Romano, Elizabeth Nohelty
E-mail: enohelty@masonlive.gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Committee: Dr. Ancha Baranova (Chair), Dr. Aybike Birerdinc, Dr. Naomi Lynn Gerber, Dr. Cara Frankenfeld, and Dr. E. Chris Parsons
Research Interest: [Dissertation title] Female Breast Carcinoma: Environmental Determinants and International Policies.

 

Ruach, Paige Rothenberger
E-mail: prothenb@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: Coral reef ecology and health, coral disease, marine protected area management, marine resource management.

 

Scott, Caitlyn
E-mail: caitlyn.a.scott@gmail.com
Program: MS Science track
Research Interest: Aquatic mammal intelligence and cognition.

 

Shafer, Craig
E-mail: cshafer@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Terrestrial protected area design, planning and management. I am gravitating towards a case study on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

 

Sides, Steve
E-mail: ssides@paint.org
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Voluntary environmental programs and environmental management systems.

 

Sitar-Gonzales, Ashley
E-mail: asitargo@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Research Interest: Environmental communication methods.

 

Tadesse, Haile K.
E-mail: htadess1@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: My research interests are examining watershed management, forestry, land use change,  biodiversity, water  and air quality. Currently my research focuses on Land use change, carbon sequestration and  soil erosion. This research is an application of remote sensing, land use modeling and GIS techniques.

 

Thornhill, Jennifer
E-mail: jbrostek@gmu.edu
Program: PhD Policy track
Committee: Dr. Chris Parsons (Chair), Dr. Lee Talbot, Dr. Frank Dukes, Dr. Greg Guagnano
Research Interest: My research is focused on the role that science and scientific publications in particular play in the formulation of policy and management decisions.  I am exploring this within the context of gray wolf (Canis lupus) reintroduction and delisting in the U.S.

 

Tracy, Sean R.
E-mail: stracy1@gmu.edu
Program: MS Policy track
Research Interest: As a Fairfax County Public Schools science teacher, I am concerned with a decline in implementation of effective environmental curriculum in public schools. The Virginia Biology SOL exam, given to all VA high school biology students, deemphasizes the ecology unit as a whole. My project focuses on the efficacy of current environmental education programs. I will also survey student attitudes towards environmental concerns, such as conservation, in order to discover where the curriculum falls short.

 

Valdez, Ryan
E-mail: valdezr@si.edu
Program: PhD Science track
Research Interest: As highly productive environments for livestock and agriculture, tropical savannas are in great demand and largely overlooked for "protected" areas status in wildlife conservation. These areas have become more and more important for biodiversity conservation, and as it is the case in Kenya – actually hold more biodiversity than nationally protected areas. In the district of Laikipia, Kenya, a predominantly livestock-rich environment, many ranchers have come to learn and appreciate the value of biodiversity and form pro-wildlife group ranches. Ranches connected in a north-south pattern can offer movement for large mammals such as the elephant, while providing a landscape for an impressive variety of wildlife. I propose to study trophic-level ecological response of a newly purchased property transitioning from intense cattle ranching toward conservancy. The research is affiliated with the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the African Wildlife Foundation, and collaborates with the Mpala Research Centre. This work is carried out under a Ph.D. fellowship between GMU and the Smithsonian’s Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability.