Former Students & Advisees
Lab Alumni & Former Advisees
Richard von Furstenberg
(PhD in PRTM, NCSU, 2024)
Hometown: Houston, TX; Prior Education: Texas A&M Galveston (BS in Marine Biology), UNC Chapel Hill (MS in Cellular and Molecular Physiology)
Dissertation Title: Creating a more inclusive future for hunting and wildlife conservation: a multi-stage study to understand and engage college students across the United States
Position after graduation: Postdoctoral Research Associate, College of Natural Resources, NCSU (NC)
Kaitlyn Tiffany
(MS in PRTM, NCSU, 2024)
Hometown: Clayton, NC; Prior Education: NC State (BS in Fish, Wildlife & Conservation Biology)
Thesis Title: Enhancing collaborative wildlife conservation in the southeastern United States
Position after graduation: Park Ranger, Umstead State Park (NC)
Erica Rieder
(PhD in FWCB, NCSU, 2023; Postdoc, NCSU, 2024)
Hometown: Essex, CT; Prior Education: Mount Holyoke College (BA in Biology), Duke University (Master’s of Environmental Management)
Thesis Title: Using participatory system dynamics modeling to address complex conservation problems: the case of tiger farms
Position after graduation: Postdoctoral Research Associate, College of Natural Resources, NCSU (NC), now Research Associate at University of Montana (MT)
Justin Beall
(PhD in PRTM, NCSU, 2023)
Hometown: Callahan, FL; Prior Education: University of Florida (BA in Environmental Science); University of Georgia (MS in Forest Resources)
Dissertation Title: Speaking in frames: how accounting for audience attributes can enhance communication about pressing environmental issues
Position after graduation: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Virginia Tech (VA)
Kayla Stukes
(MS in FER, NCSU, 2023)
Hometown: Prince Georges County, MD; Prior Education: Tuskegee University, (BS in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences)
Thesis Title: Minority landowners’ participation in conservation programs: understanding barriers and opportunities
Position after graduation: PhD student at NCSU, College of Natural Resources (NC)
Catherine Lerose
(MS in FWCB, NCSU, 2023)
Hometown: Long Island, NY; Prior Education: University of Massachusetts, Amherst (BS in Biology)
Thesis Title: Hunter perspectives on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management in North Carolina and South Carolina
Position after graduation: Social Research Assistant, NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NC); now research analyst as Southwick Associates (CT)
Lauren Mullenbach
(Postdoc, NCSU, 2021)
Hometown: Johns Creek, GA; Prior Education: University of Georgia (BS in Psychology, MS in Forest Resources), Penn State University University (PhD in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management)
Position after NCSU: Assistant Professor at University of Oklahoma, Department of Geography & Environmental Sustainability (OK); now Research Scientist at Michigan Sea Grant, Univ. of Michigan (MI)
Reilly Protzman
(MNR in PRTM, NCSU, 2021)
Hometown: Newport News, VA; Prior Education: Longwood University (BS in Criminal Justice)
Thesis Title: Parks, flooding, and green infrastructure: developing strategies to promote resilient communities in North Carolina
Position after graduation: Maintenance Technician, NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC)
Torey Vayer
(MS in FWCB, NCSU, 2020)
Hometown: Rockville, MD; Prior Education: Penn State University (BS in Biology)
Thesis Title: Changing the face of hunting in America: Understanding and influencing college students’ hunting- related beliefs and behaviors
Position after graduation: R3 Coordinator and Videographer, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD)
Sara Futch
(MS in FWCB, NCSU, 2020)
Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA; Prior Education: Wofford College (BS in Psychology, BA in German)
Thesis Title: Understanding citizen science engagement through social network analysis
Position after graduation: Research analyst, Southwick Associates (NC); now Science and Planning Project Manager at The Nature Conservancy (TN)
Devyani Singh
(PhD in PRTM, Clemson, 2019)
Hometown: Mumbai, India; Prior Education: Mithibai College of Arts, Science & Commerce (BS in Zoology), Institute of Science in Mumbai (MS in Environmental Sciences)
Dissertation Title: Conservation, conflict and community context: Insights from Indian Tiger Reserves
Position after graduation: Postdoctoral Research Associate at Clemson University, PRTM (SC); now Program Manager at The Habitats Trust (India)
Kyle Smith
(MS in PRTM, NCSU, 2019)
Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA; Prior Education: Appalachian State University (BS in Recreation Management)
Thesis title: Building capacity for grant success: insights from local parks and recreation agencies in North Carolina
Position after graduation: Grants Specialist, Centerstone.org (TN)
Charmaine Pedrozo
(MS in Natural Resources, NCSU, 2019)
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL; Prior Education: University of Florida (BS in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation)
Thesis title: Candid Critters and wildlife conservation behaviors: Exploring the broader impacts of citizen science participation
Position after graduation: Environmental educator with Muddy Sneakers (NC); now Natural Resource Manager with US Fish & Wildlife Service (GA)
Katie Krafte Holland
(PhD in PRTM, Clemson, 2019)
Hometown: Carrboro, NC; Prior Education: UNC-Chapel Hill (BS in Biology & Education); Miami University (MA in Zoology)
Dissertation Title: Investigating the cultural context for big cat conservation around the world
Position after graduation: Lecturer at UNC-Wilmington, Dept. of Environmental Sciences (NC); now Postdoc at Virginia Tech (VA)
Allie Dinwiddie
(BS in Environmental Engineering, NCSU, 2018)
Hometown: Waynesville, NC
Honors Project Title: Connecting kids and nature: Best practices in environmental education and citizen science projects
Position after graduation: Water Quality Planner with ECO AmeriCorps program (NC)
Brett Stayton
(MS in PRTM, Clemson, 2017)
Hometown: Fort Wright, KY; Prior education: Eastern Kentucky University (BS in Wildlife Management)
Thesis Title: Colleges and universities: Prime habitat for hunter recruitment and retention
Position after graduation: Mid-Atlantic States Coordinator with Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (Washington, DC)
Sarah Wilcer
(MS in PRTM, Clemson, 2017)
Hometown: Lombard, IL; Education: Western Illinois University (BS in Biology)
Thesis Title: Understanding hiking participation and benefits: Lessons learned from the First Day Hikes initiative
Position after graduation: Interpretive Ranger at Grand Teton National Park (WY); now Interpretive Ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC)
Elizabeth Boles Johnson
(online MS in PRTM, Clemson, 2017)
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC; Education: Clemson University (BS in Business)
Project Title: Pets, parks, and conflict: An exploration of visitor attitudes towards dog walking at Lake Conestee Nature Park
Position after graduation: Park Ranger at South Cove County Park (SC)
Tara Chapmon
(online MS in PRTM, Clemson, 2016)
Hometown: San Diego, CA; Education: US Naval Academy (BS in Oceanography)
Project Title: Visitors’ pro-environmental attitudes, behavior, and place attachment on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Comparing surfers and other recreationists
Position after graduation: Educator & Trip Leader, Outward Bound (multiple locations in western US)
Sam Keith
(MS in PRTM, Clemson, 2016)
Hometown: San Antonio, TX; Education: Texas A&M (BS in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences), Clemson (MS in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management)
Thesis Title: Urban greenway use and benefits in diverse cities: A tale of two trails
Position after graduation: PhD Student at University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources (GA); now faculty member at North Greenville University (SC)
Ami Flowers Staples
(MS in Forest Resources, UGA, 2012)
Hometown: Augusta, GA; Education: Univ. of Georgia (BS in Forest Resources; MS in Natural Resources Recreation & Tourism)
Thesis Title: The effects of an art-based environmental education program on children’s environmental perceptions
Position after graduation: Marine Fisheries Biologist, NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC)