Chapter Officers

Paul is a professor in the Wildlife Biology and Natural Resources Management programs at Grand Valley State. He received his BS (biology) and MS (natural resources management) from UW-Stevens Point and my Ph.D. (fisheries and wildlife) from MI state. He has previously served as an executive board member and treasurer for the MI TWS chapter and is happy to serve the chapter again.

Melissa is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan-Flint, where she teaches wildlife biology and forest ecology, and is an active member of The Wildlife Society. She has earned a M.S. in Biology, completed graduate certificates in GIS, College Teaching, and Spatial Ecology, and a dual Ph.D. in Fisheries & Wildlife and Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior from Michigan State University.

Matt Ihnken is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® and the Solar Wildlife Lead at NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology. Matt has held numerous positions within The Wildlife Society over the years. He believes that working groups and state chapters are a critical piece of The Wildlife Society, providing members a place to go to discuss issues important to them, but also providing guidance to the TWS board. His goal is to continue to increase the presence of the Michigan Chapter both to members and the TWS board and give members an opportunity to have a voice in policy discussions and decisions in the Great Lakes State and beyond.

Rachel Kanaziz is a Wildlife Technician with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. She received her BS from Adrian College and MS in Ecology from Colorado State University, researching life history on ground squirrels. 

Alynn is an assistant professor at Grand Valley State University with research focused on wildlife disease ecology and epidemiology. She completed her B.S. at John Carroll University before obtaining her M.S. at GVSU and then her Ph.D. at University of Tasmania. Her background is in wildlife disease ecology, statistical modeling, and population genetics.

Kip is currently a senior undergraduate student at Michigan State University (MSU) completing a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management. After serving as an executive board member and the president of MSU’s student chapter in 2025, Kip hope to bring a student perspective onto the MITWS board to encourage engagement of students, student chapters, and student-professional relationships at the state level.

To be announced...