Bat Ecology & Conservation
Discovering patterns and processes of ecological interactions is fundamental for understanding and protecting the natural world. My work investigates species interactions at multiple scales and in varied ecological contexts with the goal of improving our ability to conserve biodiversity. My works focuses on bats and I’m passionate about using science and evidence to improve conservation practice. Bats make up nearly a quarter of all mammalian diversity and contribute substantially to global sustainability. In addition to an Adjunct Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz, I serve as Chief Scientist at Bat Conservation International.
WILDLIFE DISEASE
We study the impacts of white-nose syndrome (WNS), an infectious fungal disease that has killed millions of hibernating bats in North America since 2006.
ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION
We study the ecology and conservation of bats to protect vulnerable bat populations from the forces of global change.
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern to the central United States at an alarming rate. White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that infects skin of the muzzle, ears, and wings of hibernating bats.