Our team

Associate Professor
Human-Environment Systems

Kelly studies how environmental and social changes are affecting ecosystems and rural livelihoods, particularly in mountain and pastoral regions. Her research aims to support the needs of local communities and land managers.

Postdoctoral Researcher

USDA NIFA Postdoctoral Fellow (2024-2026)

Briana studies how land is governed and the consequences for rural communities and ecosystems. She integrates methods from geography, ecology, and the social sciences to understand and promote sustainable land management.

PhD student: Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior

Moving Mountains Fellow (2026-2028)

Sonam is studying the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and agricultural livelihoods in Changthang, Ladakh, India, in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation.

PhD student: Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior

Education Director, Intermountain Bird Observatory

Heidi is studying how skiing activity influences hummingbird habitat and flower bloom timing at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, near Boise, Idaho.

Research Assistant

B.S. Biology (2024)

Niamh’s research interests include population and behavioral ecology, conservation, and using spatial data to investigate how changes in our environment and resources are affecting populations and behaviors.