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Chapter Officers

2023-2024 Executive Board

President

Gael Sanchez

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Gael is the Lead Inland Wildlife Biologist for the Bay Mills Indian Community in Brimley, Michigan. Gael is originally from New Mexico, where she obtained a Bachelor’s from New Mexico State University, then got a Master’s from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Gael has lived in Michigan since 2018.

Past-President

Melissa Starking

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Melissa is a Ph.D Candidate in the Applied Forest and Wildlife Ecology Laboratory at Michigan State University. She studies the interaction of wildlife and forestry in Northern hardwood forests. Melissa earned her M.S in Wildlife Biology studying the survival and spatial ecology of Blanding's turtles in 2016. Her overall research focuses on applied ecology and conservation, particularly working with terrestrial vertebrates

Secretary

Steven Gray

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Steven is a Research Associate in the Applied Forest and Wildlife Ecology Laboratory at Michigan State University. He received his PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University in 2019, where he studied the behavior and spatial ecology of wild pigs in Michigan. Broadly, his research focuses on wildlife ecology and conservation, particularly working with mammals in forested environments.

President-Elect

Clay Wilton

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Clay is a wildlife ecologist at Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) where he develops mammal population surveys and inventories natural communities and forest resources. He received his B.S. in Natural Resources at Central Michigan University and his M.S. in Wildlife Ecology at Mississippi State University.

Treasurer

Kaitlyn (Wilson) Barnes

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Kaitlyn is a Wildlife Biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Kaitlyn is originally from Ontario, but has called Michigan home for over 15 years. After finishing undergrad at Michigan State University, she worked various jobs around the country before completing her Masters at The University of Maine.

Board Member

Alejandra Zubiria Perez

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Alejandra is a Ph.D. student at Michigan State University working on population ecology of gray wolves in the Great Lakes region. Alejandra's research interests include carnivore ecology and behavior, human-wildlife coexistence, and wildlife management.

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