Lab Members | Cohen Wildlife Lab

Bradley S. Cohen

Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management

My lab conducts applied research in the fields of ecology and conservation investigating topics including habitat–species interactions, predator–prey dynamics, and wildlife ecology and management. We research different levels of animal organization, from physiology to meta-population dynamics, allowing us to gain a better understanding of the multi-scale nature of the processes influencing animal populations. Because the development and implementation of solutions to challenging management problems requires an understanding of stakeholder values, our research is paired with a strong outreach component that enhances communication among scientists, policy-makers, and the public. The goal of my lab is to produce objective findings that inform wildlife management issues and leads to more effective policy decisions.

Phone: (631) 873-5265

Email: bcohen@tntech.edu

Office: Pennebaker Hall (317)

1100 North Dixie Ave.

Cookeville, TN 38505

M.S. University of Georgia

PhD University of Georgia

Research Associates

Office: Pennebaker Hall 303

1100 N. Dixie Avenue

Cookeville, TN 38505

Phone: +1 (609) 815-1846 |

Email: ssutor@tntech.edu

Sean Sutor

Post Doctoral Research Associate

Sean is most interested in research addressing challenges to the conservation and management of our natural resources, especially where humans and wildlife share space. His post-doctoral research is focused on understanding how the composition and configuration of wetlands in the landscape shape where mallards settle in the North American Prairie Pothole Region, an intensely altered landscape where human activities are threatening wetlands and the wildlife that depend on them. In his doctoral research, he examined how natural and anthropogenic features in the landscape shape the movements and space use of Sonoran desert tortoises in the United States-Mexico border region, and how linear barriers to movement (e.g., roads) influence connectivity among habitat patches throughout the species’ range. Broadly, his background is in geographic science, and spatial analyses, remote sensing, and visual communication through maps play an important role in his work. Although he maintains his life-long fascination with reptiles and amphibians, ultimately, landscape and movement ecology are the foci of his research, so naturally, birds, large mammals, and humans have found their way into his work.

Current Students

PhD Student - EVS

Cory Highway

Cory is studying the ecology of wintering mallards in western Tennessee. Specifically, Cory is interested landscape connectivity for waterfowl wintering in western Tennessee. This information will be used to help determine priority areas for wetland acquisition.

B.S. Grand Valley State University

M.S. Tennessee Tech University

PhD Student - EVS

Sara Watkins

Sara is studying the ecology of eastern wild turkeys in western Kentucky. She is particularly interested in reproductive ecology and how landscape composition and configuration influence vital rates of female wild turkeys.

B.S. University of Florida

M.S. University of Georgia

MS Student - Biology

Nathan Steelman

Nate's research is focused on the ecology of wintering waterfowl in western Tennessee. Specifically, Nate will investigate the environmental and anthropogenic impacts on space use, habitat selection, and activity patterns of wintering mallards and gadwall. While mallards have historically been the most common waterfowl species in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, growth of gadwall populations and increased hunter harvest necessitates a greater emphasis on research for this generally underrepresented species.

B.S. Michigan State University

MS Student - Biology

Tim Radtke

Tim’s research focuses on the ecology of upland game birds. Specifically, on disturbance effects of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on ruffed grouse and eastern wild turkey breeding behaviors and distributions. With declines in both populations of ruffed grouse and wild turkey in Tennessee, Tim will investigate how patterns in drumming and gobbling are affected by OHV access and human disturbance.

B.S. Purdue University

MS Student - Biology

Emma Feldmann

Emma’s research is focused on the ecology of resident Canada geese. She is particularly interested in how urban intensity and hunting pressure affect the habitat selection, space use, and harvestability of Canada geese. This work will aid in developing regulations and making management decisions that more effectively influence the rapidly growing resident Canada goose population.

B.S. University of Delaware

MS Student - Biology

Mackenzie Fries

Mackenzie’s research focuses on the population dynamics of Canada Geese across an urban-suburban-rural gradient. She will investigate survival rates, harvest rates, and band recovery rates for Canada Geese and simulate how various management strategies will affect their future populations. Mackenzie’s project aims to give state agency personnel recommendations on how manage their nuisance geese.

B.S. University of Delaware

Lab Alumni

Stefan Nelson

MS 2021

Wild turkey poults are about sparrow-sized when they hatch, but grow rapidly in the first weeks of life. They are likely constrained in what habitat they can access because of these size constraints. Stefan's research focused on habitat management for wild turkey broods. His work highlighted the importance of thermal refuge (i.e., cooler places) and insect rich areas as brood habitat. He also found when poults are very young and small, they are constrained into areas where they can easily walk, like heavily grazed pastures and mowed trails. Lastly, his research indicated that unmanaged pine systems were avoided by poults in their first weeks of life.

Abigail Blake-Bradshaw

PhD 2023

Abby's research investigated wintering mallard ecology and specifically focused on assessing the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on wintering mallards. Abby's research identified factors that influence waterfowl refuge use in west Tennessee, a current and historically important region for waterfowl hunting. Abby's research provides information to better understand and manage refuges to meet wintering waterfowl needs. B.S.: Wartburg College, Waverly, IA M.S.: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Nick Masto

PhD 2023

Nick studied the winter and migration ecology of mallards. Nick's research focused on resource use and wetland availability during winter, spring migration patterns, and individual strategies during non-breeding periods which increase fitness. Nick's research sought to fill these and other knowledge gaps to better inform resource management and conservation planning for waterfowl, wetlands, and people. B.S.: Clemson University M.S.: Clemson University B.S.: Wartburg College, Waverly, IA M.S.: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Haley Holiman

MS 2023

Haley's research focused on the occupancy of marsh birds in Tennessee and the development of new field methods for detecting them. Marsh birds are known for being highly elusive, difficult to detect visually and select wetland habitats that are difficult to navigate. Many are listed as species of conservation concern at the state and federal levels. This decline is largely attributed to wetland degradation and loss. Marsh birds are highly selective, and a slight change in water levels or vegetation structure can lead to declining populations. In collaboration with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Haley evaluated different management practices on both natural and restored wetlands to determine their effect on marsh bird populations. This included surveys for vegetation and other wetland dependent characteristics. B.S. Mississippi State University

Cole Howard

MS 2023

Cole's research focused on creating and implementing efficient waterfowl habitat monitoring protocols for state and federal agencies. Additionally, he used previous research on wood ducks in conjunction with banding data to step down and guide banding goals for wood ducks in the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways. B.S. North Carolina State University G.C. Five Oaks Ag. Research & Education Center

Matteo Gannod

MS 2024

Mateo's research focused on using artificial intelligence with satellite imagery to locate areas with flooded farmlands. This in turn aids in better delineating waterfowl habitats at large spatial and temporal scales. B.S. Tennessee Tech University B.S.: Clemson University M.S.: Clemson University B.S.: Wartburg College, Waverly, IA M.S.: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Lydia Holmes

MS 2025

Lydia’s research focuses on the non-breeding ecology of mallards in the Mississippi Flyway. She is particularly interested in determining factors influencing inter-annual and inter-seasonal site fidelity during the non-breeding period. With this information, Lydia aims to inform and refine management strategies for waterfowl habitat within the Mississippi Flyway. B.S. Iowa State University B.S. Mississippi State University

Abigail Riggs

MS 2025

Abby’s current research examines the decline of eastern wild turkey populations throughout Tennessee and Kentucky. More specifically, Abby’s project aims to determine factors impacting harvest rates of male wild turkey populations across these states. Abby intends to provide state agency personnel with an improved harvest model to aid in successful population management strategies. B.S. The Ohio State University B.S. North Carolina State University G.C. Five Oaks Ag. Research & Education Center