Current Graduate Students
Amy Kuczynski- PhD Candidate
My research interests broadly lie where animal behavior and ecology intersect. I am particularly interested in the various sources of information animals gather to assess predation risk in their environment and the subsequent use of that information in making decisions about foraging, habitat use, and other daily activities. My doctoral research investigates how heterospecific alarm calls affect perceived predation risk in African antelope and furthermore, how habitat structure and time can influence perceived predation risk.
I conduct my research at the Lajuma Research Centre in South Africa, and focus on the interactions between grey duikers, leopards, and bushbuck. To date my work has shown that grey duiker respond to the alarm ‘bark’ of the bushbuck with increased perceived predation risk. The remainder of my dissertation focuses on how habitat structure and time effect perceived predation risk in the grey duiker.
I conduct my research at the Lajuma Research Centre in South Africa, and focus on the interactions between grey duikers, leopards, and bushbuck. To date my work has shown that grey duiker respond to the alarm ‘bark’ of the bushbuck with increased perceived predation risk. The remainder of my dissertation focuses on how habitat structure and time effect perceived predation risk in the grey duiker.
Andrea Reinhardt- MS Student
My love of nature was fostered at a young age; my desire to understand wildlife never faded. The avian community, in particular, is what I find most captivating. Whether it be a breeding Veery or Swainson's Hawk, I love them all (and want to hold them in the hand)! Research topics that interest me include: breeding behavior (such as extra-pair copulation), bird morphology, vocal behavior, and wildlife conservation/policy.
As an incoming MS student, starting Spring 2013, I have several ideas for my thesis, but nothing concrete. My research will be conducted at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, located in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley. My focal species will be the Veery (Catharus fuscescens), my absolute favorite Passerine!
As an incoming MS student, starting Spring 2013, I have several ideas for my thesis, but nothing concrete. My research will be conducted at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, located in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley. My focal species will be the Veery (Catharus fuscescens), my absolute favorite Passerine!
Douglas Perez- PhD Student
I am most interested in the very large fields of animal behavior, climate change, and population ecology. I recently joined the Schmidt lab and have yet to nail down a strict topic; however, I will most likely focus on avian behavioral ecology in ground-nesting songbirds.
Before joining the Schmidt lab, I worked for Dr. Schmidt at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. Being a native New Yorker, I became fascinated with the work being done in my own backyard. Most of my work will focus on several species of songbirds including, but not limited to, the Veery (Catharus fuscescens) and the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla).
Before joining the Schmidt lab, I worked for Dr. Schmidt at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. Being a native New Yorker, I became fascinated with the work being done in my own backyard. Most of my work will focus on several species of songbirds including, but not limited to, the Veery (Catharus fuscescens) and the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla).
Elizabeth Farley-Dawson- PhD Candidate
I am broadly interested in ecology and conservation biology. Most of my past experience has been related to avian ecology, but I find all aspects of the natural world fascinating, especially wildlife, and make a point to see as much of it as possible wherever I find myself. More specifically, I am interested in how anthropogenic influences affect community dynamics, with the goal of understanding, and hopefully anticipating and mitigating ecological problems caused by human activities. Animal behavior and information ecology is often overlooked as an influence in community dynamics when making conservation decisions, but is as important (and in some situations, more important) as habitat influences.
Being relatively new to the lab, I have yet to clearly define my project. I would like to integrate behavior and the ecology of information with habitat-based approaches to understanding how individuals choose where to settle. I will most likely focus on breeding forest songbirds in the northeastern mixed deciduous forest community at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.
Being relatively new to the lab, I have yet to clearly define my project. I would like to integrate behavior and the ecology of information with habitat-based approaches to understanding how individuals choose where to settle. I will most likely focus on breeding forest songbirds in the northeastern mixed deciduous forest community at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.