CHAPTER OFFICERS
President: Alana Luzzio
Alana is a 2nd year PhD student in the Grad Group in Ecology and does conservation genetics research. She studies native freshwater fish and marine invertebrates using high-throughput genetic sequencing to inform conservation management decisions. https://gvl.ucdavis.edu/people/alana-luzzio
Vice President: Anderson Tate
Anderson is a Ph.D. student studying ecology at the University of California, Davis, where he researches and develops eDNA approaches for non-invasive monitoring of California vernal pool ecosystems. His research includes using metabarcoding and CRISPR-based technology to inventory vernal pools on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) national wildlife refuge lands. His background includes working for the USFWS, providing scientific support to wildlife refuge managers and field biologists regarding conservation planning and endangered species management. Anderson is enthusiastic about connecting scientists, practitioners, and students through SCBNA to achieve conservation goals by sharing knowledge, providing support, and mentoring. Anderson received his B.S. in Environmental Studies from California State University, Sacramento.
Treasurer: Sam Walkes
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Sam is a second year student in Ecology studying the ecological and evolutionary processes that drive geographic range expansions. He loves marine invertebrates and is passionate about making sure they get conservation attention too!
Secretary & Webmaster: Sara Gadad
Sara is a first-year Wildlife Fish and Conservation Biology major with a specialization in Wildlife Health. She is eager to learn more about conservation at UC Davis. Sara currently works as an Animal Care Assistant at the Gourley Clinical Teaching Center and as a volunteer for the California Raptor Center. She has additional experience working in wildlife rehabilitation and immunology research.
Faculty Adviser: Andrea Schreier
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Andrea Schreier is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis. Her lab uses genetic and genomic tools to answer ecological questions that directly influence the conservation and management of fish and wildlife species. This majority of this research is conducted collaboratively with state, federal, and tribal management agencies and NGOs, providing students and postdocs with opportunities to work directly with conservation practitioners.
Although her lab works on terrestrial mammals and invertebrates, the majority of Andrea’s work is focused on aquatic species. Of particular interest are the Acipenseriform sturgeons, once classified by the IUCN as the world’s most endangered taxon due to global overharvest and habitat loss. One aspect of Andrea’s research concerns improving the sustainability of sturgeon aquaculture, for the purposes of conservation and caviar farming. Both efforts play an important role in protecting vulnerable wild sturgeon populations.
Education & Outreach Committee:
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Co-Chair: Seeking candidates for '25-'26!
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Please contact us if you are interested in this position
scbdavis@gmail.com
Co-Chair: Seeking candidates for '25-'26!
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Please contact us if you are interested in this position
scbdavis@gmail.com
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The Education & Outreach Committee is completing a grant-funded film project called Diverse Voices in Biodiversity in which UCD researchers are interviewed about their research and careers in conservation biology. The committee also organizes and participates in science outreach in the community.
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Environmental Stewardship Committee (Songbird Nest Box Highway and Bobcat Ranch Bird Phenology Survey):
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Co-Chair: Mary Badger
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Mary is a graduate student in Ecology.
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Co-Chair: Megan McDaniels​
Megan is a Ph.D. student in the Smith Lab at UC Davis studying conservation ecology. She is broadly interested in how changes in wildlife populations and their habitats, whether through disease, anthropogenic activity, or restoration, affect individual and population behavior, community dynamics, predator-prey interactions, and conflict with humans. Her research spans multiple taxa and systems in both northern and southern Argentina focusing on species such as vicuña, guanacos, pumas, Magellanic penguins, and maned wolves. Megan's professional background in international conservation prior to graduate school has inspired her to seek collaborative solutions that center the wellbeing of both people and wildlife, and she is excited to be a part of SCB-Davis' on-the-ground stewardship projects to foster a deeper connection between students, Davis community members, and native wildlife.​​​
