T.J. Fontaine

I was born and raised in Montana and did my undergraduate degree at the University of Montana. Throughout college and after graduation I did a number of field jobs that took me all over the U.S. and the world. One of my greatest experiences was having the opportunity to work for 10 months in the mountains of Argentina studying avian life history evolution. I began my graduate career in the fall of 2000 working with Tom Martin. My research focuses on the role of nest predation in shaping the evolution of avian life history and parental care. To date I have conducted five field seasons and I am currently working on finishing my dissertation with the goal of graduating in May. I hope that working on the ECOS project and working with young kids and fellow students will allow me to become a better teacher and a better researcher.

http://www.umt.edu/MCWRU/PERSONNELPROFILE05/PPTJFontaine.asp

Advisor: Tom Martin Division of Biological Sciences

---

Katie Hailer

I first became interested in ecology growing up on a small cattle farm in West Virginia . I spent as much time as possible outdoors when I was younger, and I still love all kinds of outdoor activities now, especially skiing, boating, and rock climbing. Instead of pursuing a degree in ecology, I decided to study environmental chemistry. I study chromate, or chromium VI, which is an occupational component that can cause cancer in humans. Chromate is used in leather tanning and as a rust inhibitor, to name a few sources, and if it is not disposed of properly, it can become an environmental contaminate. My research focuses on studying DNA that has been exposed to chromate, identifying the damage that occurs, and detecting enzymes that our bodies have in place to correct the damage. After I finish my degree, I would like to pursue a teaching position at a small, liberal arts college. I would personally like to teach college chemistry in a way that is more relevant, exciting, and down-to earth so that students can find the "so what" in the topic.

Advisor: Kent Sugden Department of Chemistry

---

Michael Machura

I am in my second year of a PhD program, and am starting up new research to examine breeding and movement of boreal toads at different altitudes and habitats in Glacier National Park. I am originally from Chicago, but have also lived in upstate New York, Laramie, Wyoming, and the East African country Tanzania.

While I have been interested in the natural world for as long as I can remember, it was not until I had the opportunity to live for two years in Tanzania that I was able to witness first hand the interactions that occur between humans, plants, animals and the landscape, and truly develop a passion for ecology. Through my immersion in an African culture, I developed a unique perspective that not only considered the interactions of particular organisms, but also the broader picture of how those interactions play out on a larger landscape in the context of everyday human activities. In other words, although my research by necessity tackles precise, manageable questions, I am very interested in the "big picture." I believe the ECOS program will help foster an appreciation for our environment among school-aged children, and will also help build thinking and reasoning skills through the hands-on activities that are a part of doing science.

In addition to my research, I also have several outside interests including photography, traveling, and reading. Ultimately, I hope to work internationally in a position to implement grassroots conservation strategies in developing nations.

Advisor: Fred Allendorf/Winsor Lowe Division of Biological Sciences

---

John MacLean

I spent my youth desperately trying to get out of Nashville , TN , and into the western mountains. I fell in love with the Sierra Mountains , CA, at a young age, and I returned as often as I could. When I was completing my BS degree at Furman University , SC , I realized that a great way to be in the mountains more was to study earth science. I went on to earn my MS degree in earth science from Syracuse University, NY, and then I taught earth science at a high school in Elon, NC. Finally, I made it to the mountains of western Montana to work on a Ph.D. in earth science. My specific interests include implementing geochronology techniques to test a Precambrian plate reconstruction.

So, what does that have to do with ecology? Earth science processes provide the framework and foundation on which ecosystems are developed. An understanding of the earth science behind the life science is essential in a well-rounded ecological study. Hopefully I can contribute some sort of geological expertise to the ECOS team.

My personal interests include most activities in the mountains. I've always been an avid hiker, I've picked up mountain and road biking, and I've begun learning to kayak.

Advisor: James Sears Department of Geology

---

Brooke McBride

I have always been fascinated by the natural world. Growing up in rural Wisconsin , I became keenly aware of the changes that occurred in the land with each season. Also, I sat for hours observing the kittens born in the barn every spring! Throughout high school and college, I spent my summers leading wilderness canoeing and backpacking trips for a YMCA camp in northern Wisconsin . My most epic journey was a 55-day canoe expedition from northern Saskatchewan to Hudson Bay , where we had an unexpected encounter with a polar bear! These trips further deepened my sense of connection to the natural world.

After graduating from college, I moved to Wyoming to participate in the PREE program (Professional Residency in Environmental Education) at Teton Science School . There, I led groups of students in hands-on ecology activities. It was profoundly rewarding for me to integrate my science knowledge with my outdoor leadership experience. Thus, I am thrilled for the opportunity to participate as an ECOS fellow. To me, it is the best of both worlds!

Ultimately, I aspire to teach and continue research at a small college or non-profit center like Teton Science School . I am especially interested in teaching field-based courses in ecology and environmental issues. I am still inspired by a note that a teacher wrote to me: "Thank you for sharing your love of life with the kids. Keep your heart to the land."

Advisor: Carol Brewer  College of Forestry and Conservation

---

Alison Perkins

I didn't realize I was interested in ecology, in fact, I didn't even really know what it was, until I was in college. I grew up in the city, doing "city" kinds of things. St. Louis : home of the baseball and football Cardinals (back then), the Blues (both the music and the hockey team), the St. Louis Symphony, and the St. Louis Zoo. I spent most of my summers swimming and waterskiing - I liked being outside - and I chose my college major, Wildlife Management, for no other reason than it sounded fun. I was right. I discovered the world outdoors, and I discovered a passion for ecology that's been growing ever since. I love hiking, birding, and hunting, plus the sports, music, and museums of the "city." I really enjoy traveling (local, national, and international), seeing the diversity this world has to offer. My career interests have evolved from Research Scientist to Television Producer. I still love wildlife research, especially ducks; I just would prefer to share the really cool things about ecological research through television programs. I hope ECOS will help me learn to communicate with all ages and all learners more effectively, and I hope to learn to teach for life-long learning.

Advisor: Carol Brewer College of Forestry and Conservation

---

Sam Stier

I think my interest in ecology began in the summer after I moved to Iowa from Washington D.C. , when I was 9 years old. And it came first in the form of frogs. There were several ponds near my house and I spent every day exploring them, practically on hands and knees. I don't think I had ever seen a frog before, or if I had, it was in a zoo and not in a natural setting and had minimal impact. But to crawl around trying to catch frogs in a pond-studded Iowa landscape sure had an impact! I was hooked.

I have done a lot of ecologically related work in the last 10 years, for example, a masters in science that involved scientific research on endangered flying foxes in the Philippine Islands, and consulting work with the World Bank and international non-profit organizations. I continue to be interested in a diverse career that might involve more consulting, running my own organization, and perhaps teaching and more research.

I think ECOS is a great idea for a program. Graduate students and local K-12 schools have a lot to give one another. Personally, I'm particularly interested in meeting the students and teachers I'll be working with.

My other interests include my 7 month old son (he's so much fun!), learning about the wildlife in my own backyard, playing guitar, eating great things out of my garden, talking with my wife, hiking, rafting, biking, skiing, seeing my family and friends, and meeting new people.

Advisor: Stephen F. Siebert College of Forestry and Conservation

---

Bruce Threlkeld

I've been interested in ecology since childhood, but my appreciation for nature really blossomed as a college student working summers at a wilderness camp in the southern Appalachian mountains . I was intrigued by plant and animal life in forests and after a number of years working as a wilderness programs director at the camp I decided to move to Montana to study in an academically rigorous setting. I received my Masters degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana in 2000. After completing my Ph.D., I plan on pursuing a career as an ecology or environmental studies professor at a college or university.

ECOS provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills for effective ecology teaching. Working with like-minded peers and colleagues in a team setting is a great way to learn important curriculum concepts and receive constructive feedback, benefiting both teacher and student.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughters, playing soccer, and teaching and playing drums and guitar. I was born in Kentucky , spent many years in Texas, Florida, and Georgia, and lived in North Carolina before moving to Montana in 1997.

Advisor: Stephen F. Siebert College of Forestry and Conservation

---

At-Large PhD Fellows

Rachel Loehman

I came to Missoula in 2000 to study with Dr. Steven Running in the Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group (NTSG), College of Forestry and Conservation. NTSG is a remote sensing and ecological modeling lab that focuses on pioneering new approaches for addressing regional and global ecological problems using emerging satellite technologies, geographic information systems (GIS), computer simulation and visualization, and biophysical theory. My own research is on developing ways to predict vector-borne diseases using remotely sensed data and climate modeling. My current focus is on developing a forecast model for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), based on modeled distributions of the disease reservoir and vector, the deer mouse. I participated in the ECOS Program during the 2004-2005 academic year, working with 5 th grade students and teachers at Target Range school. During the coming year I hope to improve on the teaching skills and inquiries I developed last year, and innovate new projects that will help sustain the ECOS Program at the University of Montana and enhance ecological learning at all grade levels within the public school system.

I grew up in New Mexico , and have a B.A. in Archaeology and an M.A. in Biogeography from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque . I spent a number of years working as an archaeologist across the southwestern US, and became interested in using GIS and modeling to predict archaeological site distributions. While working toward my M.A. I began to use GIS and remote sensing technologies to address ecological problems, specifically temporal variability and spatial patterning in biotic and abiotic resources at regional scales. For my Master's thesis I developed a large-scale predictive model for HPS based on distribution of human cases in the Four Corners region of the southwest. Here at the University of Montana I am working to improve this model, using a more sophisticated remote sensing data set and incorporating vector (deer mouse) population dynamics. My research is interesting to me because it is very interdisciplinary, and integrates a number of fascinating areas of research: wildlife biology, landscape ecology, epidemiology, climatology, remote sensing and GIS, public policy, public health, and education.

My interests outside of academia include backpacking, skiing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, bicycling, and exploring. I build single-speed bicycles from old road bikes as a stress-relieving hobby. I also love to read and garden, and have ever-expanding collections of field guides, rocks, plants, textiles from foreign lands, skulls and bones, shells, Star Wars Pez dispensers, and dogs. My most recent and unusual pet is a European Black Slug, which I found at the Flathead Lake BioStation this summer. I love the outdoors, and believe strongly in the importance of conservation of natural resources and wild places. I hope to use my training and skills to work toward better stewardship and increased awareness of global ecosystems. My ideal job combines research, teaching, and conservation work in a context that allows for continued understanding of the natural world, and the mechanisms to disseminate that knowledge to many different sorts of people.

Advisor: Steve Running College of Forestry and Conservation

---

Carl Rosier

From an early age I knew that I wanted to study science. As a child I would often take long hikes through the swamps that bordered my granddads farm. Many times during those adventures I would find some creature that intrigued, and I would bring it home study it for awhile then release it. I was first exposed to the science of ecology during my 8 th grade year. It was at this time that several middle schools competed in the ECO challenge: which was a competition designed by the Florida Natural Parks System to test students' knowledge of natural history and ecology. I was accepted to the ECO team that represented my school. Following the competition my science teacher told me I had a real knack for science and that I should actively pursue this subject in high school as well as college.

I received my undergraduate degree in plant science from the University of California Santa Cruz. I first became interested in plants while taking and introductory class in Botany/Plant Pathology. After spending many hours discussing plants with the course professor he offered me a job. I found Plant Pathology incredibly interesting so much so that when I graduated from UCSC I began to apply to plant pathology graduate programs. Eventually I was accepted into a graduate program

After graduating from UCSC and before entering graduate school I moved to Missoula in search of adventure. Eventually I accepted a position with Bitterroot Restoration Inc, as a consultant. I felt that the work I was doing had real importance so I delayed my entrance into graduate school. As a land restoration consultant I saw how pollution is severely influencing ecosystems. At a conference on land restoration I first learned about phytoremediation (use of plants to remove pollutants from contaminated areas). I became so intrigued with the idea of using plants to cleanup the environment, that I quit my job and applied to graduate school. Currently I am studying in the lab of Dr. Rillig, the focus of my study is determining how Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi influence the phytoremediation of radionuclides.

Advisor: Matthias Rillig Division of Biological Sciences

---

Special Projects PhD Fellow

Jeff Piotrowski

I was raised in the Salt Marshes of coastal Georgia and from an early age had a strong interest in the natural world, in particular plants and fungi. Southeastern salt marshes are among the most productive systems on earth. At age 13 I would peddle my bike to across the island at midnight to look for sea turtles or the rare Green fly orchid. It was this environment gave me an appreciation for the natural world.

I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in Botany. UGA was home to the late Eugene Odum, a pioneer of ecological research, who gave several lectures to my introductory Ecology class. He always stressed the importance of teaching more comprehensive ecology to students at the pre-college levels. I worked in the fungal ecology lab of Dr. David Porter on the decomposer communities of the salt marsh. David Porter was a great mentor who encouraged me to follow my interests no matter how obscure. During my time in there I spent most weekends in the southern Appalachian Mountains , an environment with some of the greatest deciduous tree diversity and the greatest amphibian diversity.

Upon graduation from Georgia I took a position at the University of Maine with Dr. Joyce Longcore studying a fungal pathogen of amphibians responsible of several extinctions. I studied the environmental conditions of the fungus to help amphibian biologists predict and model outbreaks and I studied the enzyme production of the fungus to learn how it kills its host. Maine is a pristine state that is 20% wetlands, which I explored with all my free time.

After receiving my Master's in Botany/ Plant Pathology from Maine I worked at the University of Georgia 's Herbarium where I gained a greater appreciation for plant diversity. Before taking my current position at the University of Montana I traveled through Europe working on organic farms with my fiancé and learning the importance of sustainable agriculture. I am currently working in the lab of Dr. Matthias Rillig where I am studying the ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal communities for my PhD.

Advisor: Matthias Rillig Division of Biological Sciences

---