Current Research Projects

  • PowerPoint presentation on fencing Best Management Practices in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.
  • Highway 50 Planned Environment and Linkages (PEL) – Caltrans Mitigation Biologist Hannah Clark, CDFW Biologists Sara Holm and Shelly Blair. Camera surveillance of locations on EDC Highway 50 where wildlife might be utilizing existing culverts to cross under the highway. Purpose is to enhance or mitigate culvert/environment when funding is appropriated.

Past Research Projects

  • Development of informational pamphlets on fencing Best Management Practices in residential and agricultural settings (devised in 2024 while on the EDC Fish & Wildlife Commission).
  • Highway 50 Wildlife Corridor Project  (Shanna Zhanner – Caltrans Mitigation Biologist  and Shelly Blair – CDFW Regional Ecologist).  Identification of candidate locations for installment of wildlife under-crossings based on data derived from wildlife-vehicle collisions and photo documentation of wildlife (mainly deer) crossing highway in the Camino area.
  • State routes 49 and 20 and Interstate 80 Wildlife Connectivity Project. A collaborative research project with Caltrans (Suzy Melim), CDFW (Sara Holm), Pacific Southwest Research Station (Sandra Jacobson and Eric Abelson) and Forest Service Region 5 (Marilyn Tierney).
  • Conservation of the California fisher (Pekania pennanti).  Involvement with the (Southern Sierra Nevada Fisher – SSNF) and the California Fisher (CAF) working groups. (Kathryn Purcell-PSW, Craig Thompson-PSW, Sean Matthews-OSU)
  • Genome sequencing of Pinus lambertiana with focus on resistance to fungal pathogen, Cr1 (David Neale, Kristian Stevens, Randi Famula – UC Davis, Jill Wegrzyn-UConn).  Publication in press.
  • Data logging of annual bird banding data into USGS BANDIT.  I worked with Kathryn Purcell (PSW) with focus on historical temperature records (1995 through 2002) correlation to fecundity and nest success in multiple habitats of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
  • Development of PCR primers for amplification of the chloride channel 1 (CLCN1) ortholog in a founder population of speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculu) in northern California.  The CLCN1 gene is responsible for acute myotonia in vertebrates (fainting goat syndrome) and possibly the loss of the predator-evasion response  seen in isolated populations of Rhinichthys osculu.  (Bret Harvey-PSW)
  • Work with Tamias spp (chipmunks) using mitochondrial DNA markers for species identification and investigation of inter-specific hybridization in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. (Angela White-PSW, Marjorie Matoqc-UNR, Pat Manley-PSW, Evon Hekkela-Fordham University)
  • Conifer genomics and genetics focusing on mapping genes controlling adaptive traits in Douglas-fir (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/NealeLab/dfgp)
  • Genetic mapping and genome sequencing in sugar pine with the goal of determining the DNA sequence of Cr1, the major gene of resistance to the fungal pathogen (Cronartium ribicola) which causes white pine blister rust in Pinus subgenus Strobus (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/NealeLab/wpgp/overview.php).
  • Equine Cytogenetics (Lee Million/Anne Bowles, Veterinary Genetics Lab, UC Davis, 1996)
  • Protein analyses in walnut (Abaya Dandekar, Crop Sciences, UC Davis, 1996)
  • Necropsy of tule elk, fallow deer and boar (Dave Jessup – CDFG, 1980-1981)
  • Study (pellet dissection) on artificial raptor perches installed on levies as natural pest control of California ground squirrel (Ed Littrell – CDFG, 1981)
  • Assisted in caring for rehab animals (California Dept of Fish and Game, 1979-1980)
  • Study of diet (scat dissection) in black bear in the Sierra Nevada (Bill Grenfell – CDFG, 1980)