Lab Members

Tollway support has enabled our group to advise and fund Ph.D.
and M.Sc. students through the University of Illinois.

Doctoral Degrees Awarded

• • • Kelsey Low (2019) Persistence of ranavirus in an east central Illinois amphibian community – advisor Dr. Christopher A. Phillips
    • Ethan Kessler (2020) Assessment of a freshwater turtle reintroduction – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Andrew Jesper (2024) – The Overwintering Ecology of a Cold-adapted and Refugia-dependent Rattlesnake – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Devin Edmonds (2025) Conservation of Madagascan frogs – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Daniel Swanson – Evolution and systematics of annulate New World Harpactorinae – advisor Dr. Sam Heads

Masters Degrees Awarded

• • • Jason Ross (2016) Spatial ecology of the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica) in the Kaskaskia River of Illinois – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Christina Feng (2018) on Demography of the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) in Illinois
    •  Devin Edmonds (2020) Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata)  demography in northern Illinois – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Shay Callahan (2021)– Phenology and fecundity of state-listed salamander species in Illinois
    • Sara Johnson – Population and reproductive ecology of a rare Florida mint – advisor Dr. Brenda Molano-Flores
    • Tyler Stewart (2022)– Distribution and detection of Kirtland’s Snake – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Alma Schrage (2023)– Detection and foraging needs of declining bumble bee species – advisors M.J. Dreslik and J.L. Robinson
    • Grace Wu (2023) – The effects of tallgrass prairie restoration on snake communities in northern Illinois – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Emily Sunnucks  (2023) – eDNA Detection and Overwintering Habitat Modeling for the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake in a Southwestern Mesic Prairie.– advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Andrea Colton – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Emily Asche – Western Pond Turtles – advisor M.J. Dreslik

Current Ph.D. candidates

• • • Zander Perelman – Eastern Massasauga – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Anastasia Rahlin – Conservation of wetland and riparian migratory birds
    • KC Carter – Pollinators and floral resources in remnants vs restored – advisor Brenda Molano-Flores
    • Sarah Douglass –

Current MS candidates

• • • Rose Arnold – Species detection model for Blanding’s Turtles – advisor M.J. Dreslik
    • Chitra Baysal – advisor M.J. Dreslik