Michael Avara is the Avian Lab Manager and Field Coordinator. He received his B.S. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2007) and his M.S. from Southern Illinois University (2013). He supports lab data collection and analysis on the many diverse research projects of the lab. This includes managing the Illinois Motus Network of 30 telemetry towers across Illinois and Mexico, working with organizations across the state to restore endangered waterbird colonies, conducting field surveys to quantify bird populations in Illinois, and analyzing migration behavior of northern saw-whet owls. He has also helped in design of educational outreach materials that communicate the research of the lab.

Wendy Dorman is a Ph.D. candidate advised by Dr. Ward (2020-present). She earned a M.S. Biology from Winthrop University and an M.S. GIS from Eastern Michigan University. Wendy earned her B.S. from Eastern Michigan University. Her research explores “The factors limiting the distribution of migratory birds.” Find out more on her Linkedin profile.

Grant Witynski is a Ph.D. student co-advised by Dr. Ward and Dr. T.J. Benson (2023-present). He previously earned his M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences here at UIUC (2023) and his B.S. in Conservation Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (2020). He is broadly interested in avian biology and entomology, with an emphasis on the ecology of declining species. Through the Ward Lab and the Illinois Natural History Survey, he is researching prey availability and selection of Eastern Whip-poor-wills in central Illinois. By surveying moths, beetles, and other insects across Whip-poor-will breeding habitat and employing fecal DNA metabarcoding to detect prey species consumed by Whip-poor-wills, Grant hopes to understand how the diets of these cryptic nightjars influence their ecology and conservation. Learn more on his Linkedin.

Sonia Tomcyzk is a MS student co-advised by Dr. Ward and Dr. Jinelle Hutchins Sperry (2023-present). She received her B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2021). She is broadly interested in the use of Environmental DNA to examine species diversity and diet of endangered and threatened species. Her masters research will delve into the relationship diet of the Eastern whip-poor-will, Common poorwill, and Chuck-will’s-widows have regarding space and time at Fort Hood, Texas.

Sarah Slayton is a M.S. student advised by Dr. Ward (2023-present). She received her B.S. in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis (2020). She is broadly interested in applied conservation research with specific interests in urban ecology and conservation, habitat choice and use, and wildlife management planning. Her master's project will focus on the movement ecology and urban habitat use of state-endangered Black-crowned Night-herons in the Chicagoland area. Ultimately, she hopes to utilize data gathered from satellite transmitters deployed on adult birds to contribute to conservation efforts for this species in Illinois, and beyond.

Holly Coates is an M.S. student co-advised by Dr. Ward and Dr. T.J. Benson (2023-present). She received her B.S. in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from the University of California, Davis (2016). For her master’s research, she is studying the effects of forest management on Eastern Whip-poor-wills, primarily working in the beautiful hills of southern IL and MO. She is passionate about working with non-game avian species and communities, and researching cost-effective management solutions. In her free time, she is an avid birder, camper, and native plant nerd. Find her on eBird! https://ebird.org/profile/NjcyNzc5/US

Dave Edlund is an M.S. student (2024-present) advised by Dr. Ward and coordinator of the Midwest Eastern Whip-poor-will Project (2023). He received his B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Science at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (2022). For the Midwest Eastern Whip-poor-will Project, Dave coordinated logistics and conducted fieldwork during the 2023 season. As part of his master's research, he is analyzing data from the Midwest project, examining the decline of whip-poor-wills in Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Additionally, he is investigating the wintering ecology and migration of a population of whip-poor-wills in central Florida. In his spare time, Dave likes to spend time photographing wildlife (mostly birds) and spending time with his cat Jasmine.

Katie Galletta is an M.S. student (2024-present) co-advised by Dr. Ward and Dr. T.J. Benson at UIUC, along with Dr. Nathan Cooper of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and Dr. Bryant Dossman of Georgetown University. She received her B.A. in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology from Bowdoin College (2021). She is fascinated by bird movements and migrations, the technologies we use to track them, and the application of movement research towards habitat and species conservation efforts. Her research focuses on tracking Kirtland’s Warblers using multi-sensor geolocators to better understand their migratory routes and the anthropogenic threats they face along the way.

Lauren Brunk is an MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2024 – present). She received her B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2023). For part of her master’s research, she will be studying how birds use solar and agroforestry farms in comparison to conventional agriculture and grasslands. Lauren also helped organize the lab’s Motus tagging efforts of wood thrushes on their Illinois breeding grounds, with plans to tag more on their Oaxacan wintering grounds, as part of a range-wide project for this declining species. She will be analyzing their daily activity and migration patterns as another part of her research. Additionally, Lauren works closely with “motus Mike” in maintaining the lab's network of ~30 motus towers throughout Illinois.

Jill Deppe is a former post-doctoral researcher who worked with the Trans-Gulf of Mexico, 100-year Bird Survey, and Stopover Ecology of American Golden-plover Projects (2008-2010). She earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside (2005) and her B.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1996). Currently she is the Senior Director of the Migratory Bird Initiative for National Audubon, Washington, D.C. For more information about Jill and her current work.

TJ Benson is a former post-doctoral researcher (2008-2010). He earned his Ph.D. at Arkansas State University (2008), his M.S. at Iowa State University (2003), and his B.S. at the University of Iowa (2000). His currently a Wildlife Ecologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey and Coordinator of the Critical Trends Assessment Program in Champaign, IL. For more information about TJ and his current work.

Kirk Stodola is a former post-doctoral researcher (2011-2015). He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Georgia (2011), M.S. at Mississippi State University, and B.S. at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (1998). He is currently an Associate Ornithologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey in Champaign, IL. For more information about Kirk and his current work.

Valerie Buxton is a former post-doctoral researcher. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2017), M.S. at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2014), and B.S. at the University of Michigan (2009). Currently she is a Data Analyst-Global Investigations, Walmart, Bentonville, AR.

TJ Zenzal is a former post-doctoral researcher. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi (2017) and B.S. from the University of Scranton (2008). He is currently a Research Ecologist for USGS at the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA. For more information about TJ and his current work.

Antonio Celis-Murillo was a MS/Ph.D. student advised by Dr. Ward (2008-2015) who studied  “Individual quality, extraterritorial forays, extra-pair mating and paternity in field sparrows.” (MS) and “Evaluating the use of acoustic monitoring for surveying tropical birds.” (PhD) Currently the Director of the Bird Banding Laboratory at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center (formerly known as Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) in Laurel, MD. For more information about Antonio and his current work.

Scott Chiavacci was a Ph.D. student advised by Dr. Ward (2011-2016) who studied “Avian nest predation: Its relationship with landscape characteristics and its influence on adult and nestling behavior.” Currently an Ecologist with USGS in Reston, VA. For more information about Scott and his current work.

Janice Enos was a Ph.D. student advised by Dr. Ward (2012-2017) who studied “Testing proximate causes and ultimate explanations of social cue use for habitat selection in songbirds.” Currently an Assistant Research Scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey.

Ryan Askren was a Ph.D. candidate advised by Dr. Ward (2017-2021) He earned his M.S. from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate and Instructor with the Five Oaks Ag Research and Education Center and the University of Arkansas - Monticello.

Todd Jones was a MS and PhD student advised by Dr. Ward (2013-2016) who studied “Pre- to post-fledging carryover effects and the post-fledging ecology of the dickcissel (Spiza americana)" and “Do pre- to post-fledging carryover effects drive patterns of differential post-fledging mortality in altricial songbirds?” He is currently a Post-doctoral researcher at the Smithsonian Institution. Find out more on his Website.

Haley Haradon is a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2022-2024) who studied "Post-breeding Survival and Habitat Use of the Kirtland's Warbler."

Nicole Suckow is an MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2021-2024) who studied a"Comparison of Grassland Bird Stopover and Breeding Habitat Preferences in Illinois." She is also the avian research coordinator at Kaua'i Forest Bird Recovery Project, an organization working towards conserving the island's native avifauna in the face of avian malaria and invasive predators.

Chad Cremer was a MS student co-advised by Dr. Ward and Dr. Auriel Fournier (2021-2024) who studied "Spring Migration Timing and Stopover Duration of Sora and Virginia Rail in Central Illinois using the Motus Tracking Network."

Ian Souza-Cole was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2018-2021) who was "Investigating the behavior and habitat use of Eastern Whip-poor-wills in Illinois and factors influencing their decline." He is currently a Senior Coordinator with Audubon in Sacramento, CA.

Stephen Tyndel, was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2016-2019) who studied the “Role of conspecific attraction in the settlement of golden-winged and blue-winged warblers.” He is currently a PhD student at Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Starnberg, Germany.

Luke Malanchuk was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2017–2020) who studied “The phenology and stopover ecology of shorebirds in Illinois.” He is currently an Aquatic Biologist with Solitude Lake Management, Manassas, VA.

Evalynn Trumbo was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward ( 2016-2019) who studied “Survival and habitat use during early post-fledging stages of an endangered species: the Golden-cheeked Warbler.” She is currently a Research Project Manager at Wichita State University.

Noah Horsley was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2018-2020) who studied “The post-fledgling survival of Common Grackles in an agricultural landscape.” He is currently a Data Scientist with Oversight in Atlanta, GA.

Maureen Hurd was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2016-2019) who studied “Occupancy and habitat use of aerial insectivores in Illinois' Grand Prairie Natural Division.” She is currently a Wildlife Biologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resource, Galesburg, IL.

Cindi Jablonski was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2006-2008) who studied “The bioaccumulation of persistent contaminants by zebra mussels and their effects on state- endangered common terns.” Currently a Wildlife Biologist for the McHenry County Conservation District in Illinois.

Mark Alessi, was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2007-2009) who studied “The nocturnal behaviors of yellow-breasted chats.” Currently a Regional Heritage Biologist at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Kelly VanBeek was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2011-2012) who studied “Avian breeding ecology in soybean fields: Does no-till provide any benefits?” She is currently a Migratory Bird Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Madison, WI.

John Andrews was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2010-2013) who studied “Habitat selection in restored grasslands: the role of social cues in settlement of grasshopper sparrows.” Currently the Assistant Director of the AZA Population Management Center at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL. For more information about John and his current work.

Courtney McCusker was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward and Dr. Jeffery Brawn (2006-2008) who studied “Seasonal responses of avian communities to invasive bush honeysuckles.” She is currently a Laboratory Technician and Learning Garden Assistant in the Biology Department at The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH. For more information about Courtney and her current work.

Brett Dorak, was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2014-2016) who studied “Ecology of wintering Canada geese in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.” He is currently a Wildlife Biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Jeff Fox was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2008-2011) who studied “Sandhill crane colt survival and fledging success in northeastern Illinois: The role of age and significance of land cover in an urbanized landscape.”Currently an Ecologist with Operation Migration in Necedah, WI.

Eric Swenson was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2013-2015) who studied the “Behavior of pheasants during the hunting season.” He is currently a Strategic Planner at Carle Hospital, Urbana, IL.

Cassandra Wilcoxen, was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2014-2017) who studied “The influence of agricultural practices on avian abundance in Midwestern agricultural fields.”

Kyle Van den Bosch, was a MS student advised by Dr. Ward (2014-2018) who studied “How shrubland bird species and vegetation succession is influenced by disturbance regime, landscape setting, and vegetation composition in Midwest U.S.” He is currently the owner of Mariposa Cues.