Research

Active Research Projects

Monitoring the presence of pathogens to advance conservation.

White-tailed buck with green blurred background

To enhance testing capabilities for CWD, we are developing capacity for a new test for prions, Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC).

Diamond back terrapin looking up on rocky sand beach

Herpesvirus in Diamondback terrapins

Investigating herpesvirus in diamondback terrapins.

Investigating Parvovirus

Using analytics from surveys to create a more uniform protocol for rehabilitators in NYS to improve wildlife health and biosecurity

Capacity Building for Rapid Response to Chelonian Confiscation

What does it take to safely repatriate confiscated animals back into the wild? A lot - from ensuring animal health and release site health, to developing a rapid quantitative PCR test to screen turtles for disease.

Pine Marten Reproductive Health

Assessing the reproductive health of NY pine martens.

Detecting Tiger Salamanders using eDNA

Developing molecular tools that allow us to use eDNA as a surveillance tool to find at-risk species.

White-tailed buck close up against a blue blurred background

Surveillance Optimization Project for Chronic Wasting Disease (SOP4CWD)

Our SOP4CWD collaboration has developed the CWD Data Warehouse, an online platform for CWD surveillance planning and data management available at no cost to wildlife agencies across North America.

Landscape Drivers of Rodenticide Exposure in Northeast Fishers

Digging into the frequency and impact of rodenticides on fishers.

Moose Population Health

Assessing moose population health in New York State with sampling and diagnostic testing to understand reproductive status, infectious disease exposure, parasite load, and causes of death.

Raptors and Rodenticide Biomarkers

Working to develop a biomarker to detect the clinically toxic effects of anticoagulant rodenticides in living birds.

Two Jefferson Unisexual ambystoma salamanders posing together

Untangling the Ambystoma complex with eDNA

Unraveling the complicated nature of unisexual salamanders to find cryptic species.

Investigating Marine Mammal Strandings

Examining marine mammal strandings through the lens of diagnostic evaluation to investigate the causes of stranding and death.

Fisher and Bobcat Population Health

Assessing how lead toxicity and anticoagulant rodenticides impact female reproductive potential and population health of fishers and bobcats in New York.

Determinants of CWD Found in Fecal Samples

Understanding the factors affecting CWD infections in white-tailed deer.

Queen Snake Monitoring with eDNA

Hitting a moving target is challenging, especially when the sample is in a flowing stream. Detecting queen snakes using eDNA tools requires high sensitivity for success.

Northeast Furbearer Health

With a Multistate Conservation Grant, we are assessing the health of furbearers in Northeast states.

Fisher licking sap from small tree branch

Lead Exposure in Fishers

Analyzing lead concentrations to identify spatial trends in exposure in fishers.

Using eDNA for Eastern Hellbender Detection

Increasing sensitivity in eDNA tools to detect hellbender populations no matter the size.

Ranavirus Environmental RNA (eRNA)

Finding signatures of active virus infection using environmental samples.

SARS-CoV-2 & White-tailed Deer

Investigating the extent of infection in deer in New York and examining the relationship between environmental variables to ascertain how deer may be exposed and spread the virus to other deer.

Close up of fur pelts from assorted furbearers

Using Mathematical Models To Study Furbearer Populations

Using harvest data in mathematical models to help managers balance trapping activity with species sustainability.

White-tailed deer in woods with snowy background

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease

Conducting surveillance for the EHD virus in New York and surrounding states, with the goal of characterizing the prevalence of the virus, the degree of developing immunity among white-tailed deer, and the spatiotemporal dynamics of serotype distribution.

Adult porcupine on grass with trees in background

Porcupine Health and Adenoviruses

Looking into the emerging infections of adenovirus in North American porcupines

Fisher Reproductive Health

Investigating impacts on fisher population health in New York State.

Completed Projects

NY Bobcat Population Health

Examining the health of New York's bobcat population and investigating potential impediments to population growth.

Waterfowl Contaminant Study

Measuring chemical contaminant loads in waterfowl to assess the health of waterfowl and the potential impact on hunters who consume them.

Echinococcus in New York State

Collaborative surveillance for Echinococcus multilocularis in wild canids in New York State.

Bald Eagles Population Impact Study

Uncovering the history of lead toxicity and the population level impact on bald eagles...

Pathogen and Species Detection by eDNA

Developing advanced tools to improve the detection of aquatic pathogens and endangered species.

White-tailed Deer Landscape Genetics

Identifying subpopulations of white-tailed deer to target for disease interventions based on genetic clusters.

Lead Ammunition Camera Survey

Identifying wildlife scavengers of white-tailed deer in New York to catalog scavenger species and assess their risk of lead exposure through ammunition fragments in deer remains.