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Peg Rees
Executive Director
Professor of Geoscience
702-895-3890
In her role as Executive Director of the Public Lands Institute, Dr. Rees is responsible for strategic planning and outreach within the state as well as nationally and internationally to guide and develop the institute. Peg is a full professor in Geoscience who has taught at both the community college and university levels, worked as an oil exploration geologist, and conducted National Science Foundation funded research, primarily in Antarctica, China, and the western United States. In addition, she was an active member of the UNLV Women’s Studies faculty and funded by the National Science Foundation for interdisciplinary women’s studies, social science, and geology projects in earth science education. |
While at UNLV, Peg has served as Chair of the Department of Geoscience, Associate Provost for Academic Resources, Senior Vice Provost, and as Associate Vice President for Research and Community Outreach. Peg holds an A.A. from Modesto Junior College, B.S. in Geology from Sonoma State University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Kansas. |
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Scott Abella
Assistant Research Professor – Vegetation Ecology
School of Life Sciences
702-895-5163
Website
Scott Abella is an Assistant Research Professor for the NPS Monitoring Programs in Vegetation Ecology. Abella comes to UNLV from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where he was a research specialist with the Ecological Restoration Institute. While there, he performed field experiments that advanced the restoration of the ponderosa pine forest and Sonoran Desert. Abella previously worked for the Metroparks of the Toledo Area in Ohio and the Department of Forest Resources at Clemson University in South Carolina. Scott holds a B.S. in Natural Resources Management, an M.S. in Forest Resources and a Ph.D. in Forest Science with an emphasis on Restoration Ecology. |
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Sharon Altman
Administrative Assistant IV / Office Manager
702-895-4678
Sharon Altman is the Administrative Assistant IV/Office Manager for the Institute. She was an Administrative Assistant for the UNLV Athletics Department for five years before joining the Public Lands Institute. Sharon also worked for 7 years collectively for the Division of Child and Family Services Offices in Las Vegas and Yerington, NV. |
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Dianne Bangle
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation
Dianne employs her skills and knowledge in regional botany as a Research Assistant in Vegetation Ecology for the National Park Service Monitoring Program. As one of her tasks, she is acting curator for the herbarium at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. She has worked as a university laboratory/research assistant and as an intern for the National Park Service. Dianne holds a B.S. in Biology from UNLV with emphasis in Ecology and Evolution. |
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Joe Barnes Wildlife Ecology
Joe is an ardent field biologist and regional birder and employs these skills as a Research Assistant in wildlife ecology. He has previous experience as a marine fisheries observer and as a wildlife technician for state agencies tracking salmon migration and surveying for the southwestern willow flycatcher. Joe holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Baldwin-Wallace College, and is working on his M.S. in the School of Life Sciences at UNLV. His graduate research focuses on demography and habitat selection in peregrine falcons.
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Elizabeth Barrie
Project Manager, Interagency Volunteer Program
Assistant Research Professor – Recreation
Department of Recreation and Sport Management
Project Manager, Interagency Volunteer Program
702-895-5837
Beth Barrie is the Program Manager for the Interagency Volunteer Program and an Assistant Research Professor for the Recreation Department of Recreation and Sport Management . Beth comes to the Public Lands Institute from The Eppley Institute at Indiana University, where she was an instructional designer for the National Park Service Interpretive Development Program curriculum revision project. She formerly was also an instructor and researcher in recreation. Beth holds a B.A. in Communication, an M.S. in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management, and a Ph.D. in Leisure Behavior. |
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Rochelle Boyd
Operations Manager
702-895-5486
Rochelle Boyd is the Operations Manager for the Public Lands Institute and is responsible for the day to day operational activities of the office. Rochelle comes to UNLV from Johns Hopkins University, where previously she was the Assistant to the Director of the Disease Prevention and Control Program at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Prior to that, Rochelle held administrative support positions at the University of Washington and has over thirteen years of experience working in administration in higher educational institutions. Rochelle holds a B.A. in American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington. |
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Allison Brody
Project Manager, Conservation Education Strategy
702-895-5097
Allison Brody is the Conservation Education Strategy Project Manager. Allison comes to the Public Lands Institute from Oklahoma, where she was director of educational programs for the Oklahoma City Zoological Park and Botanical Garden. She formerly was an Instructor and Teacher Trainer at the Bronx Zoo in New York. Allison holds a B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Ecology and a D.A. in Biological Education. |
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Allyson Butler
Project Planner
AmeriCorps*VISTA member
702-895-5734
Allyson Butler moved to Las Vegas from Pensacola, Florida, where she received a bachelor's degree in Education. Her passion for the outdoors brought her to seek ways to combine learning with the environment. As an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, she will be focusing on programs related to education and community engagement. Allyson is currently pursuing a master's degree in Administration at UNLV. |
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Jean Cline
Professor of Geoscience
Department of Geoscience
Director, Walking Box Ranch
Website
Jean Cline is the director for the historic Walking Box Ranch. In that capacity, she manages the design and implementation of the proposed museum; field, research, and training center; and any ranch renovation. Jean also is a professor in the Department of Geoscience, with her research emphasis on the physical and chemical evolution of hydrothermal ore systems, fluid evolution in magmatic systems and fluid inclusion constraints on PTX. Jean holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Geology. |
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Donovan Craig
Joint Fire Sciences
Donovan is a Research Assistant for the Joint Fire Sciences Program. He previously worked as a biologist and biological science technician. Donovan holds a B.S. in Agriculture and Environmental Management from South Dakota State University-Brookings and a M.S. in Natural Resources Management from North Dakota State University-Fargo. His graduate research focused on the nutrient composition, herbage production and growth patterns of warm-season grasses.
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Jill Craig
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation
Jill is a Research Assistant in Vegetation Ecology for the National Park Service Monitoring Program. She has worked as a grassland ecology technician and agricultural weed technician for the U.S. Agricultural Research Service in Montana. Jill holds a B.S. in Natural Resources and
Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and an
M.S. in Landscape Architecture with a focus on Restoration Ecology from the
University of Wisconsin - Madison. Her graduate research focused on the
community structure and composition of tallgrass prairies. |
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Janet Cristobal
Accountant Technician II
Janet Cristobal is the Accountant Technician II at Public Lands Institute. Prior to joining the Institute, she held two positions at UNLV: Accounting Assistant III in the Controller’s Office of the Accounts Payable Department and Accountant Technician I at the Office of Sponsored Programs. She came to UNLV from Sam’s Club, a Wal-Mart company, where she was an Accounting Associate for 5 years. Janet graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines and holds a B.S. in Commerce, major in Accounting. |
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Wilisha Daniels
Business and Outreach Manager
Wilisha Daniels is the Business and Outreach Manager for the Public Lands Institute. She is responsible for overseeing day-to-day business activities and assisting in outreach programs for PLI. Wilisha brings over seven years of experience in business and outreach management from both state and local governmental agencies. Most recently, she served as Program Manager for the Conservation District of Southern Nevada, where she was primarily responsible for managing the collaborative outreach and education efforts for the Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management’s public outreach campaign. Wilisha holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and master’s in Public Administration from UNLV. |
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Dana Drake Wildlife Ecology
Dana is a Research Assistant and project lead for conservation efforts on the relict leopard frog. She previously worked as a stream and wetlands biologist as well as an ecologist focusing on amphibian research and monitoring. She holds a B.A. in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic and received her M.S. in Biological Science from Drexel University. Her research interests range from the thermal biology of marine turtle hatchlings to questions related to the morphology of tadpoles.
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E. Cayenne Engel
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation
Cayenne is a Research Assistant in Vegetation Ecology for the National Park Service Monitoring Program. She has worked as a herbarium and greenhouse assistant and, more recently, as a university research technician. Cayenne holds a B.A. in Environmental Science from Agnes Scott University and an M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee, where she studied plant community responses to global climate change. |
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Dawn Fletcher Wildlife Ecology
Dawn is a Research Assistant in wildlife ecology with a primary focus on songbird and bald eagle ecology. She has experience with desert tortoises, gopher tortoises, sea turtles, bighorn sheep, and swift fox. She holds a B.S. in Zoology from Ohio State University and is currently working on her M.S. in the School of Life Sciences at UNLV. Her graduate research focuses on the distribution and habitat selection of several species of cryptic thrasher. |
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Shawn Gerstenberger
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Principal Investigator, Limnology Assistance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area
702-895-1565
Website
Shawn Gerstenberger is a principal investigator for a project in which PLI provides limnological assistance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area in balancing water quality, community needs, and water-based recreation for Lakes Mead and Mohave. Shawn also is Associate Professor and Chair of the UNLV's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. He works as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for the University of Nevada, Reno and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Shawn holds a B.S. in Reclamation and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Toxicology. |
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Karen Harry
Assistant Professor – Anthropology
Department of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies
Principal Investigator, Archaeology Inventory Program
Website
Karen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology & Ethnic Studies and the principal investigator for the Archaeology Inventory Program. She received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Arizona in 1997. She has more than twenty years of experience working in the southwestern United States and specializes in the study of prehistoric farming communities within this region. |
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Gregory Haynes
Post-Doctoral Scholar – Archaeology
Project Manager, Archaeology Inventory Program
Greg Haynes is the Project Manager for the Archaeology Inventory Program. He previously was the archaeologist at Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Carson City, Nevada. Prior to that, he was an instructor with the Department of Anthropology at the University of Nevada, Reno and associate research archaeologist with the Desert Research Institute. Haynes received his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Nevada, Reno and a master’s degree in anthropology from Northern Arizona University. |
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Megan Iudice
Web Communications Specialist
702-895-4891
Megan Iudice is the Web Communications Specialist. Megan designs and maintains websites for all Public Lands Institute projects, including the main Institute site. Prior to coming to UNLV, Megan held the position of Web Designer/Programmer for the Clark County School District in the Curriculum and Professional Development Division. She also worked as a Web Specialist at Naropa University in Colorado. Megan has nine years of professional web design experience for non-profit, educational, corporate and government sites and holds a B.A. and M.A. in English. |
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Jef Jaeger
Assistant Research Professor – Conservation Biology
School of Life Sciences
702-895-2463
Website
Jef Jaeger is a Assistant Research Professor in wildlife population biology with specific responsibility for managing PLI’s wildlife research projects. He also conducts research and teaches for the School of Life Sciences at UNLV. Jef has a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from UNLV and over 17 years of research experience in the areas of conservation biology, phylogeography, population biology. He also holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies and an M.S. in Biological Sciences. |
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Doug Joslin
Project Manager, Take Pride in America Program
702-895-5149
Doug Joslin is the Project Manager for the Take Pride in America Program. He brings to the Public Lands Institute over nine years of environmental health and safety experience in the municipal, private, and university settings. Doug most recently served as environmental health manager for the Clark County Health District Solid Waste and Compliance Department. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Health from Southern Connecticut State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at UNLV. |
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Jennell Miller
Developmental Biology
Program Coordinator, Limnology Assistance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and
Interagency Science & Research Strategy
702-895-5429
Jennell is the Program Coordinator for Limnology Assistance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the
Interagency Science & Research Strategy for the Public Lands Institute. She also is responsible for creating visual arts materials and interpretations and assisting with curriculum development for various PLI educational programs. Jennell has drawn upon her background in science for her work as a writer, editor, and visual and interpretive arts designer for a variety of projects by governmental agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations since 2000. Jennell received her Ph.D. in Biology with a focus on genetics and development from UNLV and holds a B.A. in Biological Sciences from California State University, San Bernardino. |
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Craig Palmer Principal Investigator, Limnology Assistance to
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Project Manager, Interagency Science and Research Strategy
Craig Palmer is the Project Manager for the Interagency Science and Research Strategy in Southern Nevada. He is also a Principal Investigator assisting Lake Mead National Recreation Area in a project that will result in the development of an ecological monitoring plan for Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. In addition, he coordinates a geographic information systems (GIS) support center to assist federal land management agencies in Southern Nevada. Craig serves as the director of the Ecological Assessment Division of the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies, where he provides oversight for staff with expertise in aquatic ecology, site characterization, environmental chemistry, computer programming, database management, and systems development. Craig has a B.S. in Geology and Agronomy and a Ph.D. in Soil Chemistry. |
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George Phillips
Project Manager, Cultural Site Stewardship Program
702-895-4863
George Phillips manages the Cultural Site Stewardship Program. Prior to coming to UNLV, he worked in the banking industry for 27 years, owned his own nursery for ten years and served in the U.S. Army in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. George is an active member of the Nevada Archaeological Association, Archeo-Nevada, Southern Nevada Rock Art Association, and Friends of Gold Butte. He is a third generation Nevadan and holds a B.S. in Business Administration. |
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LaNelda Rolley
Marketing Communications Specialist
702-895-5168
LaNelda is the Marketing Communications Specialist, overseeing outreach for all of the Institute's projects. She has 17 years' experience in public relations, marketing and management in the tourism industry and public sector. LaNelda has held positions at the State of New Mexico Department of Tourism, New Mexico State University and the New Mexico Economic Development and Tourism Department. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and M.A. in Marketing and Management. |
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Elizabeth Roycraft
NPS Monitoring - Archaeology
Liz is a Research Assistant in Archaeology for the National Park Service Monitoring Program. She has worked in various archaeological technician positions for the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and private consulting firms. Liz holds a B.A. from Oakland University in Anthropology with a concentration in Archaeology. |
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Daphne Sewing
Project Manager Forever Earth/Discover Mojave Programs
702-895-5098
Daphne Sewing is the Forever Earth/Discover Mojave Outdoor World Project Manager. Daphne comes to UNLV from the U.S. Forest Service and brings extensive experience in offering science and recreational programs for youth at a variety of outdoor locales throughout the country. She most recently served as the Supervisory Environmental Education Specialist at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in western Kentucky. Previously, she was a secondary teacher for 11 years and held various environmental educator positions in Washington, Alaska and Utah. Daphne holds a B.S. in Secondary Education and an M.S. in Wildland Recreation Management. |
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Jessica Spencer
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation
Jessica is a Research Assistant in Vegetation Ecology for the National Park Service Monitoring Program. Jessica previously worked as an intern on rare plants and invasive weeds at Lake Mead National Recreation Area and in the Bahamas at a U.S. Navy facility. She has also served as a biological science technician for the U.S. Geological Survey in California and Nevada. Jessica holds a B.A. from Emory University in Chemistry and Human and Natural Ecology. |
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Mark Stalling
Database Programmer
Mark Stalling is a Database Programmer for the Interagency Science and Research Strategy. Mark has worked as an Instructor for ITT Technical Institute and a Technical Trainer-Specialist at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He holds an MIS/M in Information System Management and a B.A. in English and Philosophy. |
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Alexis Suazo
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation
Alexis Suazo is a Research Assistant in Vegetation Ecology for the National Park Service Monitoring Program. He has worked as a Research Assistant and at the University of Central Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and most recently at the Colorado State University Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Biology. |
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Cathy Willey
Program Officer I
Public Land Permits
Walking Box Ranch
702-895-5165
Cathy Willey is the Program Officer for Public Land Permits and Walking Box Ranch. She manages the issuance of appropriate permits for UNLV faculty, staff, and students to conduct research, tours, field trips, and other activities on federal public lands in the Southern Nevada area. Cathy previously worked at the State of Nevada Controller's Office. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge. |
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Michelle Weibel
Research Assistant
Discover Mojave Programs
Michelle Weibel is a Research Assistant for the Discover Mojave Programs: Outdoor World and Forever Earth. A doctoral candidate in the College of Education, Michelle also holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Master of Education in Health Promotion from UNLV.
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Chuck Williams
Database Coordinator
702-895-4678
Chuck Williams is the Institute's Database Coordinator. Chuck previously held several technical and management positions at Sprint Corporation over a 32-year period. He is an active volunteer for the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Friends of Red Rock Canyon. Chuck served in the U.S. Army and holds a B.S. in Management. |
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David Wong
Assistant Research Professor – Aquatic Ecology
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
702-895-4890
David Wong is an Assistant Research Professor jointly held in the UNLV Public Lands Institute and the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in the School of Public Health. He is the coordinator of technical assistance, development, implementation, and review of monitoring programs related to limnology, ecology, toxicology, and management issues associated with Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Specifically his work focuses on monitoring and managing invasive quagga mussels. Before joining UNLV, David worked as a senior research scientist in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He holds a Ph.D. from City University of Hong Kong as well as an MS and BS from the School of Fisheries, Ocean University of Qingdao. |
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