Research Associate

jsmo@udel.edu / 246 Townsend Hall / University of Delaware / Newark, DE 19716

Education

2010 – M.S., Biology, Department of Biology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS.
2002 – B.A., Geography, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY.

Research Interests

Here at the Aeroecology Lab I work predominantly on two projects: 1. the MBHI/Gulf Oil project where we use weather surveillance radar to quantify the change in bird use of wetlands managed through the NRCS Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI) in the Gulf Coast region and 2. mapping stopover habitat in the Great Lakes region for the Great Lakes Joint Venture project.

 Animals that engage in migratory movements invariably face challenges as, during the course of their migration, the quality of habitats, threat from predators, and competition for resources may all be unknown.  Understanding how these species negotiate novel surroundings and move from place to place as well as where they stop along the way is vital to conserving these populations.  I am fascinated by the amazing journeys of migratory species and my research activities over the past few years reflect this interest.  Prior to joining the Aeroecology Lab, I worked in the southeastern United States studying birds during their migration at stopover areas along the Gulf of Mexico coast.  I am also interested, more generally, in community-based conservation projects, environmental education and reptile, especially turtle, conservation.

Personal Interests 

My favorite things are playing with dogs, walking in the woods, bird watching, reading, cooking and eating.