RESEARCH INTERESTS & BACKGROUND:
M.S. Thesis title: Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake: Ohio Population Survey and Survey Technique Development
M.S. Thesis description: Evan's M.S. thesis, supported by The Ohio Department of Transportation, is to modify and test a camera trapping technique as a non-invasive and cost-effective alternative survey method for the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake in northern Ohio.
Bio: Evan obtained his BS Biology, with Summa Cum Laude distinction, from SUNY Binghamton in December 2014. After a year in the molecular phylogenetics world at UNC-Chapel Hill, he entered the field of conservation biology and herpetology through the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. In 2016, he spent a summer as a field technician working with Ohio Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes, followed by six months as part of a King Cobra spatial ecology project in Thailand. Since returning to the States in 2017, Evan contributed to several papers from his time in SE Asia, published an article on noise pollution, and assisted in grant writing for Namibian Rhino conservation through WildTrack. While his academic interests are in spatial ecology, behavioral biology and applied management research, after graduate school Evan aims to start a career in conservation program management, administration and development for government agencies or NGOs.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Amber ED*, Lipps Jr GJ, Myers JM, Smeenk NA, Peterman WE. Use of AHDriFT to efficiently survey for Sistrurus catenatus. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 16: 104–116.
Amber ED*, Myers JM, Lipps Jr GJ, Peterman WE. Accepted. Small mammal daily activity periods derived using AHDriFT camera traps. Mammal Research 66: 289–300.
Amber ED*, Lipps Jr GJ, Peterman WE. 2021. Evaluation of the AHDriFT camera trap system to survey for small mammals and herpetofauna. Journal of Fish and
Wildlife Management: Available at: https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-20-016
Full list of publications and presentations can be found here
Evan successfully defended his MS Thesis in March 2021. You can view a recording of his presentation HERE.