Melissa Starking, PI
Melissa is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan-Flint. She is an applied landscape ecologist with a focus on how management and climate change influence wildlife and their habitats. She values building inclusive collaborations for conservation. Melissa has a dual PhD in Fisheries & Wildlife and Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior from Michigan State University, in addition to earning a Spatial Ecology Graduate Certificate and a Certificate in College Teaching.
EMAIL: [email protected]
Ren LaFave, BS-MS student
Ren is a lifelong bird enthusiast interested in studying the evolutionary biology of birds, their phylogenetic relationships, and the process of speciation. In their free time, they enjoy spending time with their cats, reading, and, of course, bird watching.
Megan Jakubos, BS-MS student
Megan is an undergraduate researcher and student at the University of Michigan-Flint studying the impact of bird collisions with windows on the UM-Flint campus, along with assisting in research on the ecology and health of Michigan’s vernal pools. Megan’s main interest is creating and supporting a sustainable culture that nurtures coexistence between wildlife and humans. After finishing a Bachelor’s in Science, Megan plans to pursue a Master’s in Biology and continue researching at UM-Flint.
Marjorrie Marlett, BS-MS student
Marjorrie is a student in Wildlife Biology finishing her undergraduate degree and pursuing a master’s degree in Biology at UM-Flint. She has experience in environmental education, identification of native and invasive species in Michigan, and management practices. She is an active member of the Wildlife Club–TWS Student Chapter. Her favorite tree is the coast redwood, and her favorite mosquito is Uranotaenia sapphirina, also known as the sapphire mosquito.