People
Mike Conner, Ph.D.
Scientist
Jordan Baron
Graduate Student
I am a Master’s student at Mississippi State University researching northern bobwhite winter resource selection and supplemental feed use. My interests include animal behavior, predator-prey relationships, and population dynamics. I got my B.S. From Bemidji State University in Minnesota. Before researching quail, I volunteered on Greater Prairie chicken and duck banding projects. In addition, I also worked on the Jones Center’s wild pig and meso-mammal projects.
My advisors are Dr. McConnell through MSU and Dr. Conner at the Jones Center. In my free time, I enjoy hunting, fishing, and long brisk walks through the wonderful second-growth longleaf pine forests we have here. Oh and maybe struggling to identify birds.
Lexie Dingerson
Graduate Student
Lexie graduated with a B.S. in Zoology from Southern Illinois University. She is a master’s student at the University of Georgia researching mesopredator camera trapping methods. Lexie’s interests include animal behavior, mammal ecology, and predator-prey relationships. In her free time, she likes to crochet, read, and cuddle with her cats.
Jenna Myers
Graduate Student
Jenna graduated with a BS in biology from the University of North Georgia and is currently a PhD student at the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on designing and implementing a monitoring protocol for the mesopredator community of Georgia and refining methods to detect small predator species. In addition to monitoring methodology, her research interests include mammal ecology, predator community and population dynamics, and scientific-based wildlife management. When she’s not checking trail cameras or processing photos, she enjoys running, crocheting, and playing Taylor Swift songs on the piano. Jenna is co-advised by Dr. Steven Castleberry at the University of Georgia.
Michael Stewart
Graduate Student
Michael graduated with a B.S. in Natural Resource Management: Wildlife from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC). He is a Master’s student at Mississippi State University researching northern bobwhite and supplemental feeding. Michael’s interests include land management, game species management, predator management, and predator-prey relationships. In his free time, Michael enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and watching a variety of sports. Michael is co-advised by Dr. Mark McConnell at Mississippi State University.
Alyssa Connolly
Graduate Student
Alyssa is a Master’s student at the University of Georgia studying the impact of Northern Bobwhite management on small mammal communities. She graduated with a BS in Natural Resources with a Conservation Biology emphasis from the University of Arizona, before working with the National Park Service to study occupancy of the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. Her research interests include small mammal and bird biology, habitat selection, sustainable management, and predator-prey dynamics. In her free time, Alyssa loves kayaking, hiking, and trying out new recipes.
Lauren Stevens
Research Technician
Lauren is an Auburn University graduate with a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management. She is passionate about understanding the dynamics of both large and small mammal populations, with a focus on conservation research and public outreach. With her time at The Jones Center, Lauren plans to continue gaining experience and knowledge that will support her next career goal of pursuing a master’s degree. Outside of research, Lauren enjoys spending time in nature, whether it’s fishing, biking, or exploring the outdoors. She is also an avid thrift store enthusiast, always on the lookout for hidden gems in the local area.
Phoebe Soldi
Research Technician
After graduating from Purdue University with B.S. degrees in Wildlife and Aquatic Sciences, Phoebe has taken field jobs around the US to better understand her niche in the world of wildlife ecology. She has worked on research with many taxa of wildlife, including birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Her primary research interests are in using quantitative analyses for population/community ecology research, specifically in the field of herpetology. She plans to start graduate school in the near future, with the hopes of conducting research on the population dynamics and most effective capture methods of cryptic species. In her free time, you can often find her crocheting, reading, doing puzzles, or any other activity you might find your grandma doing on a Saturday.
Stephen W. Golladay, Ph.D.
Scientist
Dr. Golladay’s interests include the ecology of streams and wetlands, the impact of human land use on water quality and aquatic invertebrates, and the impact of variation in hydrology on ecological processes and aquatic communities Recently, he has developed an interest in the ecology and conservation of rare and endangered freshwater mussel species.
Dr. Golladay has served as a technical advisor to the Sand County Foundation, Georgia EPD, DNR and Water Management districts in Florida. He has developed training activities for resource professionals in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Dr. Golladay also has assisted in the development of programs to enhance the
natural resource awareness of regional educators in cooperation with regional Georgia Youth Science and Technology.
Stephen W. Golladay, Ph.D.
Scientist
Dr. Golladay’s interests include the ecology of streams and wetlands, the impact of human land use on water quality and aquatic invertebrates, and the impact of variation in hydrology on ecological processes and aquatic communities Recently, he has developed an interest in the ecology and conservation of rare and endangered freshwater mussel species.
Dr. Golladay has served as a technical advisor to the Sand County Foundation, Georgia EPD, DNR and Water Management districts in Florida. He has developed training activities for resource professionals in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Dr. Golladay also has assisted in the development of programs to enhance the
natural resource awareness of regional educators in cooperation with regional Georgia Youth Science and Technology.