Staff
Select project:
 |
Andra Toivola
GIS Project Leader
Andra is the GIS Specialist/Analyst for the North America Program. Andra works to support and assist the ongoing geospatial research of our program staff. She has also completed several GIS-based independent research investigations focused on western wildlife and ecology. Andra has been with WCS since shortly after she received a B.S. degree in Earth Sciences, Physical Geography with an emphasis in biogeography, from Montana State University in 2004.
|
|
Andra Toivola
GIS Project Leader
Andra is the GIS Specialist/Analyst for the North America Program. Andra works to support and assist the ongoing geospatial research of our program staff. She has also completed several GIS-based independent research investigations focused on western wildlife and ecology. Andra has been with WCS since shortly after she received a B.S. degree in Earth Sciences, Physical Geography with an emphasis in biogeography, from Montana State University in 2004.
|
|
 |
Biz Agnew
WCS Canada Associate Director
Biz is the Associate Director of WCS Canada leading fund-raising, communications, and Strategic Plan implementation for WCS Canada. Prior to joining WCS Canada in 2007, Biz worked at Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) as Director of US Programmes and at WWF Canada focusing on several conservation portfolios incuding: Eastern Arctic marine mammals, Canadian Prairie wildlife, WWF Canadian endangered species and the Latin American Programme. Biz has a BA from Queen’s University, Kingston (‘84) and a Masters of Environmental Studies (Biological Conservation) from York University (’86), Toronto. Outside of work, Biz volunteers her time with several bird watching initiatives, junior sailing programmes and best of all, spends time with her husband and two daughters.
|
|
Biz Agnew
WCS Canada Associate Director
Biz is the Associate Director of WCS Canada leading fund-raising, communications, and Strategic Plan implementation for WCS Canada. Prior to joining WCS Canada in 2007, Biz worked at Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) as Director of US Programmes and at WWF Canada focusing on several conservation portfolios incuding: Eastern Arctic marine mammals, Canadian Prairie wildlife, WWF Canadian endangered species and the Latin American Programme. Biz has a BA from Queen’s University, Kingston (‘84) and a Masters of Environmental Studies (Biological Conservation) from York University (’86), Toronto. Outside of work, Biz volunteers her time with several bird watching initiatives, junior sailing programmes and best of all, spends time with her husband and two daughters.
|
|
 |
Bob Inman
Wolverine Project Coordinator
Bob Inman completed his MS degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management at the University of Tennessee in 1997. He has focused on carnivore research and management in the Rocky Mountians of the western United States, specifically black bears and wolverines. Bob now coordinates WCS's long term site in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. His work on wolveirnes in Greater Yellowstone is advancing the concept of Yellowstone as a protected area to that of a node within a network of protected areas that spans the Rocky Mountains.
|
|
Bob Inman
Wolverine Project Coordinator
Bob Inman completed his MS degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management at the University of Tennessee in 1997. He has focused on carnivore research and management in the Rocky Mountians of the western United States, specifically black bears and wolverines. Bob now coordinates WCS's long term site in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. His work on wolveirnes in Greater Yellowstone is advancing the concept of Yellowstone as a protected area to that of a node within a network of protected areas that spans the Rocky Mountains.
|
|
 |
Brad Shepard
Senior Aquatic Scientist
Brad leads research efforts collecting broad-scale and long-term information on effects of habitat fragmentation, climate change, and oil and gas development on native aquatic species in the Yellowstone area. He serves on the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho's Peer Review Advisory Team and is helping WCS develop a freshwater aquatic conservation program. He received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Fish and Wildlife from Montana State University and a Master's of Science degree in Fish Resources from the University of Idaho. Brad worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for 30 years conducting applied research, surveying and monitoring aquatic species, and developing and implementing conservation programs throughout Montana. These programs focused on conservation of native cutthroat trout, bull trout, and arctic grayling. Brad worked with the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and Ecology Department at Montana State University in Bozeman since 1993 and remains affiliated with them. He also worked as a private fisheries consultant for 10 years. Brad has authored or co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed scientific and popular articles related to fish conservation and management.
|
|
Brad Shepard
Senior Aquatic Scientist
Brad leads research efforts collecting broad-scale and long-term information on effects of habitat fragmentation, climate change, and oil and gas development on native aquatic species in the Yellowstone area. He serves on the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho's Peer Review Advisory Team and is helping WCS develop a freshwater aquatic conservation program. He received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Fish and Wildlife from Montana State University and a Master's of Science degree in Fish Resources from the University of Idaho. Brad worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for 30 years conducting applied research, surveying and monitoring aquatic species, and developing and implementing conservation programs throughout Montana. These programs focused on conservation of native cutthroat trout, bull trout, and arctic grayling. Brad worked with the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and Ecology Department at Montana State University in Bozeman since 1993 and remains affiliated with them. He also worked as a private fisheries consultant for 10 years. Brad has authored or co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed scientific and popular articles related to fish conservation and management.
|
|
 |
Bryan Aber
Carnivore Conservation Specialist
Involved with WCS wolverine program since 2000, Bryan is currently filling a collaborative carnivore biologist position between WCS, Idaho Fish & Game and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Bryan was previously employed by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest as the District Biologist for the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District. He has a 27-plus year tenure with the US Forest Service. Bryan grew up in the Catskill Mountains of New York, but has lived in the Yellowstone Ecosystem since 1981.
|
|
Bryan Aber
Carnivore Conservation Specialist
Involved with WCS wolverine program since 2000, Bryan is currently filling a collaborative carnivore biologist position between WCS, Idaho Fish & Game and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Bryan was previously employed by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest as the District Biologist for the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District. He has a 27-plus year tenure with the US Forest Service. Bryan grew up in the Catskill Mountains of New York, but has lived in the Yellowstone Ecosystem since 1981.
|
|
 |
Carrianne Pershyn
Adirondack Administrative Assistant
Carrianne is the current Office Manager for the WCS Adirondack Program and provides administrative support to staff. She assists with coordinating fundraising efforts, grantseeking, and programmatic events. Carrianne has provided support for climate change outreach events and the Annual Loon Census. In order to educate the US Military about illegal wildlife trade, Carrianne has helped develop education and outreach materials warning against purchasing illegal wildlife products while military personnel are stationed overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq. Carrianne holds a Bachelors Degree in Ecology from SUNY Plattsburgh. Since joining WCS in 2008, Carrianne has also worked as a field researcher on the Black Bear Education, Awareness, and Research Program and has assisted field studies of the effects of exurban development on wildlife and vegetation.
|
|
Carrianne Pershyn
Adirondack Administrative Assistant
Carrianne is the current Office Manager for the WCS Adirondack Program and provides administrative support to staff. She assists with coordinating fundraising efforts, grantseeking, and programmatic events. Carrianne has provided support for climate change outreach events and the Annual Loon Census. In order to educate the US Military about illegal wildlife trade, Carrianne has helped develop education and outreach materials warning against purchasing illegal wildlife products while military personnel are stationed overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq. Carrianne holds a Bachelors Degree in Ecology from SUNY Plattsburgh. Since joining WCS in 2008, Carrianne has also worked as a field researcher on the Black Bear Education, Awareness, and Research Program and has assisted field studies of the effects of exurban development on wildlife and vegetation.
|
|
 |
Celina Roy
Administrative Assistant
Celina Roy is Administrative Assistant for the WSC Canada Epidemiology unit based in Nanaimo, B.C. Celina joined WCS Canada in 2010 and provides administrative support to the Epidemiology team that is an extension of the WCS Global Health Program headquartered at the Bronx Zoo, New York.
|
|
Celina Roy
Administrative Assistant
Celina Roy is Administrative Assistant for the WSC Canada Epidemiology unit based in Nanaimo, B.C. Celina joined WCS Canada in 2010 and provides administrative support to the Epidemiology team that is an extension of the WCS Global Health Program headquartered at the Bronx Zoo, New York.
|
|
 |
Cheryl Chetkiewitz
Northern Ontario Landscape Coordinator
Cheryl is the northern Ontario Landscape Coordinator at WCS Canada, applying her experience in academia, field based research and varied partnerships with First Nations, Government and NGOs to help develop tools to support regional and community-based conservation planning in Ontario’s Northern Boreal landscape. Cheryl’s research is focused on developing a monitoring program to assess thresholds for key wildlife species and ecological processes in under strain from resource extraction and climate change in the boreal. Cheryl joined WCS in 1998 as a Policy Analyst at WCS headquarters in New York and later became a Program Officer. Building on her experience at WCS, Cheryl completed her PhD working on identifying and designing local wildlife corridors for cougars and grizzly bears within two key areas of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Canmore and the Crowsnest Pass. This research has guided the application of land-use planning within increasingly fragmented habitats outside of protected areas.
|
|
Cheryl Chetkiewitz
Northern Ontario Landscape Coordinator
Cheryl is the northern Ontario Landscape Coordinator at WCS Canada, applying her experience in academia, field based research and varied partnerships with First Nations, Government and NGOs to help develop tools to support regional and community-based conservation planning in Ontario’s Northern Boreal landscape. Cheryl’s research is focused on developing a monitoring program to assess thresholds for key wildlife species and ecological processes in under strain from resource extraction and climate change in the boreal. Cheryl joined WCS in 1998 as a Policy Analyst at WCS headquarters in New York and later became a Program Officer. Building on her experience at WCS, Cheryl completed her PhD working on identifying and designing local wildlife corridors for cougars and grizzly bears within two key areas of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Canmore and the Crowsnest Pass. This research has guided the application of land-use planning within increasingly fragmented habitats outside of protected areas.
|
|
 |
Cori Lausen
Postdoctoral Fellow
Cori Lausen joined WCS Canada in 2011 as part of her NSERC Industrial Research and Development Fellowship, investigating winter bat activity and hibernation in western Canada. Cori completed her PhD in Ecology at the University of Calgary in 2007. Both her Masters and PhD research were on bats, with the former focussing on behaviour and physiology, and the latter on landscape genetics. Since 2007, she has taught bat acoustics courses, completed several independent research projects, and remained active in the field both summer and winter, surveying bat diversity in unsampled areas of NW North America.
|
|
Cori Lausen
Postdoctoral Fellow
Cori Lausen joined WCS Canada in 2011 as part of her NSERC Industrial Research and Development Fellowship, investigating winter bat activity and hibernation in western Canada. Cori completed her PhD in Ecology at the University of Calgary in 2007. Both her Masters and PhD research were on bats, with the former focussing on behaviour and physiology, and the latter on landscape genetics. Since 2007, she has taught bat acoustics courses, completed several independent research projects, and remained active in the field both summer and winter, surveying bat diversity in unsampled areas of NW North America.
|
|
 |
Damien Joly
Associate Director of Epidemiology
Damien Joly, PhD, is an epidemiologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He manages a team that provides epidemiological information and management support to WCS' field wildlife health and conservation activities, and is the principle investigator for the WCS contribution to the USAID Emerging Pandemic Threats PREDICT project. His own research focuses on diseases that either directly or indirectly threaten wildlife conservation, such as foot and mouth disease in Mongolian gazelles, bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis in American bison, chronic wasting disease in deer, and avian influenza in wild birds.
|
|
Damien Joly
Associate Director of Epidemiology
Damien Joly, PhD, is an epidemiologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He manages a team that provides epidemiological information and management support to WCS' field wildlife health and conservation activities, and is the principle investigator for the WCS contribution to the USAID Emerging Pandemic Threats PREDICT project. His own research focuses on diseases that either directly or indirectly threaten wildlife conservation, such as foot and mouth disease in Mongolian gazelles, bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis in American bison, chronic wasting disease in deer, and avian influenza in wild birds.
|
|
|