UIU biology department touts student research
Fayette (March 11, 2011)—Upper Iowa University’s Dr. Aaron Haines, assistant professor-vertebrate biology, has been working with a number of his conservation management students on professional development activities this past semester.
Marc McKinney’s (Sioux City) research paper was recently accepted for publication; and Derek Steele (Crawfordsville) presented his research poster at the Joint Iowa Chapter of the Wildlife and Fisheries Society at the Honey Creek Resort, Moravia, Iowa. Six other students were also involved in research but unable to attend. These students included Mark Brown (Fairfield), Kiel Middleswart (Indianola), Matt Grabe (Walford), Lucas Wilsing (Sheboygan, WI), Nolan Burke (Fairbank), and Michael Barske (Independence).
McKinney’s manuscript entitled, “Mammal Capture Success of Scent Stations and Remote Cameras in Prairie and Forest Habitat,” was accepted for publication by the Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science. The manuscript is peer reviewed whereby other scientists examined it and deemed it worthy of publication. “This research was part of Marc’s senior research project,” said Haines. “He is currently deployed overseas in Afghanistan, bravely serving in our US military.”
Steele presented a poster entitled, “GPS Tracking of Ring-necked Pheasants: a 
pilot project,” at the 2011 Iowa Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting. Steele’s poster was selected by the board of the Iowa Chapter of the Wildlife Society to be approved for presentation. Pheasants are tracked via satellite telemetry after being fitted with a GPS collar. The pheasants’ movements are then tracked and mapped and that data was presented at the 26th Annual Fayette County Pheasants Forever Banquet. Pheasants Forever is known as "The Habitat Organization." UIU conservation management students Mark Brown and Kiel Middleswart assisted Steele.
A poster on “The Process of Mitigating Poaching Activity in Fayette County, Iowa” was also submitted to the 2011 Iowa Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting for presentation. This poster was also was selected by the board of the Iowa Chapter of the Wildlife Society to be approved for presentation. Haines stated, “The data from this poster is a product of two years of fastidious research conducted by four good students, Michael Barske, Nolan Burke, Matt Grabe, and Lucas Wilsing.”
Haines said, “This type of conservation management research serves a dual purpose. Not only do our students learn from it in their field of study, but sharing the data is beneficial to local conservationists within the community. Having a peer-reviewed research paper published helps the scientific community, as well.”
For more information about Upper Iowa University or the conservation management program, go to www.uiu.edu.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to over 6,600 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.