Nurturing a lifelong fascination with wildlife

I think as a kid, I really kind of resonated with large cats and was always fascinated by large cats and other carnivores—wolves, things like that. I read voraciously, and as I got into more of the actual science of it, I realized that we were losing these species rapidly. Species at the top of the food chain exist in low densities and tend to come into conflict with humans. So if you think about things like mountain lions, wolves, or even coyotes—partly because they’re misunderstood. Sometimes it’s for real reasons, like preying on livestock. It’s not an easy nut to crack. Studying these animals can be difficult because, in a sense, they’re competing for resources with humans. But they’re often incredibly beautiful. The public loves them or hates them, creating complex interactions between humans and top predators. I find that fascinating to study. It’s never boring, though often controversial. I grew up in California and completed both my undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees at the University of California at Davis, specializing in ecology with an emphasis on conservation biology. I’m now a professor in the Fish and Wildlife Department. My job includes teaching undergraduate and graduate courses and conducting research on animals that are typically difficult to study—larger carnivores that are hard to track or potentially dangerous to handle. I’ve worked extensively with remote cameras, remote detectors, and even scat sampling. I’ve always loved being outdoors, so I wanted a job that kept me in nature, involved with wildlife conservation, and surrounded by the animals I love. I’m motivated by the opportunity to be in the field and the possibility of helping protect beautiful species from extinction. My goal is to help keep these incredible animals on the landscape in ways that reduce human‑wildlife conflict while preserving the joy of seeing them for future generations. I hope that my research truly makes a difference—whether by helping save a species, helping people better understand them, or developing ways to resolve conflicts. Ultimately, I want us all to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the beautiful species that share our planet.