Ericka’s love of loons and interests in wildlife health, disease, and conservation brought her to the lab after completing her master’s degree at Western Connecticut State University studying environmental and climate related stresses in breeding Common Loons. Ericka previously served as a loon biologist for the Biological Research Institute helping with the reintroduction of Common Loons to lakes and ponds of Massachusetts. Ericka has also worked as a fisheries biologist in Alaska, a science educator, waterfowl bander and technician, and park interpreter. Ericka will continue exploring the impact of environmental contaminants and climate change on pathogen infection dynamics in birds for her PhD. When not in the field or lab, you can find Ericka spending time with her dog Marty.
Advisors: Melissa Pespeni and Ellen Martinsen
