Jacques Wildlife Ecology Lab
Graduate Students
Current Students
Cheyenne Beach
I am from Waterville, New York. I graduated from the State University of New York at Morrisville in 2016 with a Bachelor of Technology in Renewable Resources Technology and an Associate of Applied Science in Natural Resources Conservation. I have always been very passionate about learning as much as possible about natural resources conservation and management. For that reason, my work has always been focused around wetland conservation and management. Throughout the years, I have concentrated my efforts into researching, monitoring, and managing waterbirds. My M.S. research is evaluating the effects of sublethal infections of three trematode species (Sphaeridiotreama globulus, S. pseudoglobulus and Cyathocotyle bushiensis) in captive lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) to potentially facilitate the improvement of management actions to alleviate morbidity and mortality of this species due to trematode infections. In my spare time, I enjoy birding for waterbirds, hiking, camping, backpacking, and exploring wilderness areas.
Katherine Rexroad
Western Illinois University isn’t far from home. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and pursued a B.S. in Wildlife Research and Management and a minor in Biology at the University of Stevens Point Wisconsin. My undergraduate research projects included southern flying squirrel local population estimates and the influence of urbanization on parasite species and abundance in eastern cottontail rabbits. A few months after my graduation in May 2018, I accepted a graduate project at Western Illinois University. My MS research is focused on evaluating potential effects of microhabitat partitioning, habitat fragmentation, and parasite loads on home range dynamics and nest-switching behavior of southern flying squirrels across Midwest landscapes. During my down time, I enjoy running, yoga, water painting, and reading classic literature.
Lauren Larson
I am originally from Owatonna, Minnesota. Coming from a farming family, I have always enjoyed being outside. Over time, my passion for the outdoors evolved into a love for wildlife, specifically migratory birds. I graduated with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in Environmental Studies from Wartburg College in 2016. Since then, I have traveled throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas doing shorebird, pollinator, and habitat work. My MS research focuses on evaluating the dynamics of habitat resource availability for lesser scaup on Pools 13 and 19 of the Mississippi River. I will be gathering invertebrate, vegetation, and historical data to analyze energetic carrying capacity and understand how the system has changed over time. My hobbies include running, birding, drawing, and watching movies.
Tyler Stratman
I grew up in the northeastern plains of Colorado, and was exposed to wildlife management at a young age. Ever since my early experiences with wild animals, I knew that I wanted a career in the wildlife field. In 2017, I got my B.S. in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from Colorado State University. Since then, jobs have placed me in Colorado, Arkansas, and Wisconsin, where I gained hands on experience researching bears, mountain lions, elk, deer, turkeys, and fish. Here at Western Illinois University, my M.S. uses trail cameras, GPS radio-collars, and unique pelage markings and spot patterns to investigate occupancy, density, and survival parameters of bobcats across fragmented Midwestern landscapes of central Illinois.
