Our Lab

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Jerod Merkle

Associate Professor

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Molly Caldwell

PhD Student

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Ashley Cowell

PhD Student

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Josh Layfield

MS Student

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Lucas Olson

Research Scientist

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Hannah Qualm

Undergraduate Researcher

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Ben Robb

Research Scientist

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Tucker Russell

MS Student

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Anne Scholle

PhD Student

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Jessie Shapiro

Research Scientist

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Kurt Smith

Research Scientist

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Ashley Townsend

Research Assistant

Join Us

Students within the Merkle Research Group are expected to develop and apply theoretical concepts in ecology while also contributing to wildlife conservation and management. Students are also expected to participate in a team environment, present results at professional conferences and agency meetings, publish results in a timely manner in peer-reviewed scientific outlets, and assist with preparation of grant proposals.

Prospective students with experience conducting and publishing research, working in GIS, and managing and analyzing large datasets in program R are especially encouraged to inquire. Please email Dr. Jerod Merkle for more information.


*Read the Merkle Research Group’s Vision, Philosophy, Policies, and Expectations here.


*Each student in the Merkle Research Group develops a mentoring plan and updates it biannually. The mentoring plan rubric is here.

Lab Alumni

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Marie-Pier Poulin

Research Scientist

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Gabe Barrile

Postdoc

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Tana Verzuh

PhD Student

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Mike Laforge

Postdoc

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Steffen Mumme

Data Science Consultant

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Justine Becker

Postdoc

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Emily Gelzer

MS Student

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Nate Bowersock

Wildlife Data Analyst

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Becca Thomas Kuzilik

MS Student

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Mallory Lambert

MS Student

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Nathan Hough

MS Student

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Jaden Brutsman

Undergraduate Researcher

Current Openings

No openings at this time.