2025-26 Global Change Research Fellow

MS Student, Forestry and Environmental Resources
Advisor: Dr. Nils Peterson

About You

What do you study?
I study how people perceive, tolerate, and respond to wildlife, specifically large carnivores, under changing environmental and social conditions. My work focuses on understanding public attitudes toward predators such as mountain lions and how factors such as risk perception, identity, place attachment, and climate-driven range shifts shape support for conservation. I’m especially interested in how social science can inform proactive conservation strategies before conflicts escalate.

What influenced you to go into this field of study?
My path into wildlife ecology and conservation social science has been shaped by a mix of early experiences in nature through the Boy Scouts, military service, and hands-on work as a naturalist. Spending time in the field, whether leading programs in Florida’s wetlands or working with communities around wildlife, showed me that conservation isn’t just about ecology, it’s about people, values, and trust. Mentors who emphasized community-based conservation and real-world application helped solidify my interest in bridging science and management, as well as a love for anything with fur or feathers.

What do you think is the most pressing issue related to global change?
One of the most pressing issues is the mismatch between how quickly ecosystems are changing and how slowly social systems are adapting. Climate change is shifting where species live, but policies, infrastructure, and public attitudes are decades behind, if that. If we don’t account for human perceptions and social readiness in conservation adaptation planning, even well-intentioned efforts will struggle, and species persistence will follow suit.

About Your Research

What results are you finding?
One of the most important things I’ve learned is that tolerance for wildlife is highly conditional. People may support conservation in principle, but that support varies with perceived risk, personal experience, and whether conservation aligns with their values or livelihoods. Understanding these nuances helps explain why conflict can emerge even in places without frequent direct encounters with wildlife or an abundance of humans who “support” the wildlife they are in conflict with.

Who will benefit from your research?
My research is intended to benefit wildlife managers, conservation practitioners, and communities living in or near current and future wildlife habitats. By identifying social conditions that support coexistence, the work can help inform outreach, policy design, and proactive planning for species range expansion as habitat associations shift geographically due to climate change.

How would you describe your research to a 3rd grader?
I study how people feel about animals like lions and why some people like them, while others are scared of them. By understanding those feelings, we can help people and animals live together in a happier and safer world.

About Your Global Change Research Fellow Experience

How do you expect the SE CASC Global Change Research Fellows Program to impact you and your work?
The SE CASC Fellowship has given me an opportunity to bridge interdisciplinary divides and take a look at how others are approaching climate challenges. It’s also given me the opportunity to collaborate across these disciplines, think more intentionally about climate adaptation, and communicate my work beyond academia. That perspective has been incredibly valuable for shaping both my research questions and career goals.

What advice would you give to a student that is interested in getting involved in your field?
Spend time listening to communities, practitioners, and people who don’t always agree with the conservation goals and values you have. Strong conservation science requires technical skills, but it also requires humility, empathy, and the ability to work with the social spectrum that will directly impact wildlife and the environment. Also, you need to recognize that wildlife and resource management are really forms of human management. The sooner that’s understood, the greater the impact and application of your work will be.

What has been the most rewarding part or your favorite part of being a SE CASC Global Change Research Fellow?

The most rewarding part has been the sense of community. Being surrounded by other fellows working on diverse climate change and conservation issues has pushed me to think more broadly about my own work and reminded me that interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for addressing complex socioecological problems.

Anything else you want to share?

In the words of Dr. Ian Malcom, “life finds a way.” I just hope we do our part to make sure it does.

Learn more about the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center’s Global Change Research Fellows program.

This post was originally published in SE CASC.