Graduate Research Assistant / M.S. in Range & Wildlife Management / Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute

Quantifying Genetic and Environmental Impacts on Antler Growth for White-tailed Deer

Growing up in Durango, CO, I was able to experience the best mountain living had to offer with numerous opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, trail running, and camping. For college, I chose to remain in Durango and attend Fort Lewis College, earning a B.S. in Biology in 2018. I moved to Texas thereafter to pursue my M.S. in Wildlife Biology at West Texas A&M University but transferred to Texas Tech University in 2020 to pursue my interest in chronic wasting disease and other wildlife diseases.

I am originally from Northwest Iowa, where I started hunting and fishing at a young age. I quickly learned that working with wildlife was what I wanted to do as a career. I attended South Dakota State University and graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. After graduation, I worked for South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks before accepting my current graduate position at Texas A&M – Kingsville and Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. 

My current research project focuses on white-tailed deer genetics and antler growth. Currently, we are investigating the heritability of antler traits such as inside spread, main beam length, and mass. Additionally, we aim to determine the influence of environmental factors on the expression of antler traits. Our results will supply wildlife managers and lawmakers with information that will allow them to better manage white-tailed deer populations.