|
|
|
|
Faculty Member: Leah M. Vucetich, PhD
|
|
Wildlife Biology
|
Leah M. Vucetich
Research Assistant Professor
School of Forest Resources
and Environmental Science
188 Noblet Building
906. 487.1711
lmvuceti@mtu.edu
Curriculum Vitae
|
I direct the Molecular and Foraging Ecology Lab. In this lab, we seek to unlock
the secrets of scat. We assay the genetic properties of animal populations sampled via noninvasive techniques such
as hair or scat. These techniques are primarily focused on the assessment of the genetics of Isle Royale wolves.
We also assess the diet of Isle Royale moose by microhistological analysis of scat, and the forage quality of Isle
Royale moose by chemical analysis of forage plants. I also participate annually in summer and winter field operations
for the Isle Royale wolf-moose research.
”Whether working with students in the classroom, lab or field, nothing beats seeing the spark of understanding ignite a passion for learning.”
Classes I have taught include Wildlife Habitat Relationships,
Isle Royale Field Ecology, and Southwest Field Ecology, all largely field-based courses. In Wildlife Habitat,
students learn the ecological basis for management of forest wildlife and how forest management influences wildlife
populations. The two field ecology classes rely on intensively Socratic methods of experiential learning to teach
methods for conducting ecological research to undergraduates.
I co-founded the Michigan Tech Chapter of the Society
for Conservation Biology, which is still active in the the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, and I currently serve as faculty advisor for the Michigan Tech
Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
Specific Interests:
Isle Royale wolf genetics
Field research methods
|
|