Research Ecologist, Conservation Research Program
she/they

Laura is a Research Ecologist with the Conservation Research Program and has been with IAE for the past five years. Her many contributions to the organization include answering interesting questions about rare, threatened, and endangered plants; assessing habitat data to support species recovery; mentoring seasonal staff; developing creative solutions to complex problems; and, of course, writing reports. During the field season, Laura works to create an enjoyable and productive work environment while providing seasonal staff with opportunities for professional development. During the office season, she can be found tackling hiring, data management and analysis, and the seemingly endless world of reports and proposals.

Before joining the Institute for Applied Ecology, Laura graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. These degrees gave her plenty of practical opportunities to grow as an aspiring field biologist and develop a strong foundation in the restoration and conservation of plant and animal communities.

As an undergraduate, Laura combined her interests in wildlife and plant communities by writing a peer-reviewed paper on squirrel responses to oak-hickory restoration in southern Indiana. She also worked on over 10 projects within her undergraduate career, all focused on responses to restoration. After graduation, she studied Northern Idaho ground squirrel responses to habitat restoration in montane meadows. From there, she began leading botany crews on the South Sound prairies in Washington, collecting data on how restoration efforts affect oak-prairie habitats and developing her skills in prescribed fire.

Her career then took her to the ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona, where she led botany crews on projects focused on wildfire restoration and plant community responses. These experiences, spanning prairies, forests, fire, wildlife, and plants, have strengthened Laura’s dedication to habitat restoration and conservation—and her belief that there are always more interesting questions to ask.

When she’s not at IAE, you’ll find Laura outside with her partner and four-legged best friends, enjoying the great outdoors. When she manages to stay indoors, Laura enjoys gardening, drinking an unreasonable amount of coffee, cooking a feast, and drawing.