CV

Education
PhD, Program in Ecology
University of Wyoming2020-Present
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
University of Alaska Anchorage2017-2019

Magna Cum Laude

Professional Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Wyoming2020-Present

Assisted departmental faculty with teaching duties including lecturing, grading, and individual student guidance.

Primary instructor for lab sections with 50+ students total. Courses taught: Intro to Statistics, Rangeland Ecosystem Assessment and Monitoring.

Research Scientist (Contractor)
Alaska Department of Fish and Game2020-Present

Independent contractor providing research support including database management, scientific data analysis, and scientific manuscript preparation for projects related to the Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity (TED) Program mission.

Wildlife Research Technician
Alaska Center for Conservation Science2018-2020

Investigated patterns in collared pika (Ochotona collaris) occupancy and abundance across their range in Alaska. Implemented a rigorous sampling regime, including extensive remote fieldwork, while assisting the PI with study design and logistics. Oversaw data management in preparation for analysis. Manuscript in prep for pika density estimates.

Facilitated other projects at the center, including plant identification, lab work, and an urban small mammal mark-recapture study.

Fish & Wildlife Technician II
Alaska Department of Fish and Game2019-2020

Provided research support for the Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity (TED) Program. Implemented a mark-recapture framework for estimating apparent annual survival rates, migratory timing and routes, and reproductive traits of lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes). Conducted extensive fieldwork, including live captures using mist nets, banding, fitment of GPS Argos Pinpoint tags, and blood and feather sample collection.

Undergraduate Researcher
University of Alaska Anchorage2017-2019

Conducted analysis to estimate pika abundance and identify important ecological variables that may influence population densities.   

Investigated the effects of ambient noise disturbance on the behavior of three captive pinnipeds at the Alaska SeaLife Center.

Publications

Wagner, J. A., Schuette, P. A., & Christie, K. S. (2022). Modeling patterns in collared pika (Ochotona collaris) density in Alaska using spatially-explicit distance sampling. Manuscript in preparation.

Presentations
Contributed Poster
Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting 2022

Title: Doody & the Beast: An Adaptive Approach for Using Fecal DNA to Estimate Density of a Patchily Distributed Ungulate

Contributed Oral
Alaska Chapter of The Wildlife Society 2020 Annual Meeting

Title: Understanding Patterns in Collared Pika Density in Rapidly Changing Alpine Ecosystems of Alaska

Contributed Poster
American Fisheries Society & The Wildlife Society 2019 Joint Annual Conference

Title: Understanding Patterns in Collared Pika Occupancy in Rapidly Changing Alpine Ecosystems of Alaska

Contributed Oral
Alaska Chapter of The Wildlife Society 2019 Annual Meeting

Title: Collared Pika Population Ecology in Alaska: A Collaborative Approach

Selected Grants
Dr. Herbert Fisser Graduate Fellowship ($1800)
University of Wyoming2022
Graduate Research Scholarship ($750)
Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society2021
Research & Travel Grant ($3500)
Alaska NSF EPSCoR2019
Discovery Grant ($1000)
University of Alaska Anchorage, Honors College2019
Research Grant ($1500)
Midnight Sun Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers2018
Awards and Honors
Best in Mammal Category & Overall Best in Show - National Wildlife Photography Contest
The Wildlife Society2021
1st Place, Wildlife Photography Contest
Alaska Chapter of The Wildlife Society2020
Student Wildlife Conservation Award
Alaska Chapter of The Wildlife Society2020
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
United States Marine Corps2016
Memberships & Service
Chair, Conference Art & Photography Contest
Alaska Chapter of The Wildlife Society2022-Present
Co-Chair, Student Development Working Group
Alaska Chapter of The Wildlife Society2019-Present
Conference Planning Committee
Alaska Chapter of The Wildlife Society2019-Present
Student Liaison Officer
University of Alaska Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society2019-2020
Memberships:

Alaska Wildlife Alliance, Susitna River Coalition, Midnight Sun Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK), American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), The Wildlife Society: National, Alaska & Wyoming Chapters, Northwest Section, AKTWS Small Mammal Working Group