Video Analysis Team

Jonathan Warren is a graduate student in the Five Year Master of Science in Environmental Science Program after graduating last year with a BS in Biology and minor in philosophy and religious studies.  He has been the teaching assistant for the ornithology lab and has developed a bird identification aid for 120 of the most common birds found in the area; this aid includes both pictures and calls.  He is founder and president of the CNU Graduate Student Association and works as an office assistant in the Biology Office.

In the summer of 2006, Jonathan participated in bat research in Pershing County, Nevada.  The field research lasted for 13 weeks straight.  During this time he assisted in mist netting, radio telemetry, and an insect collection of the area.  He led a study of external mines through the use of nightvision, Sony Nightshot cameras, a closed circuit system, and TrailMasters.  During the summer he had the distinctive pleasure of assisting Markus Mika in the phylogeography and population genetics of Flammulated Owls (Otus flammeolus) in Carson City, Nevada. 

Jonathan is currently working on analyzing data from the videos that where taped this summer.  In doing so has formed the Bat Video Analysis team.  This team is comprised of undergraduate students who work hand in hand with Jonathan analyzing data.

He has studied decaying matter in both Dragon Run Swamp and the Mariners’ Museums forest.  He also participates in dolphin identification in the Elizabeth River.  Jon monitored the Bluebird Trail in Newport News Park studying the behaviors of the Eastern Bluebird.  After which he designed and installed a bluebird trail through the Mariner's Museum Park, Newport News.  Through this trail he will be able to further studying nesting success, parental investment, and delivery rates of prey items to nestling eastern bluebirds.  He has also conducted an insect study at the Mariners’ Museum Park to compare the distribution of arthropods found among various vegetation locations.  Research has also been conducted on sand dunes at Grandview Beach by Jonathan.  His future goals include earning his Master Degree in Environmental Science and then to pursue a doctoral degree.

John Agee is a transfer student to CNU pursuing a biology degree. For the past two years John has worked at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in the zoological department as a wolf trainer. He is very interested in research and is currently involved in several ongoing projects with wetlands mitigation, snake lesions, Lyme’s disease, and cottonmouths of Newport News Park. He is a member of the Earthwatch Institute, and spent a few weeks last August in northern Michigan studying moose and wolves. He is also an active member of the Virginia Herpetological Society assisting with reptile and amphibian surveys in counties all over Virginia. He plans to pursue his Maste’s degree and see where life takes him next.

Kelsey Brunton is a freshman at CNU and is very excited about pursuing a biology/environmental science degree.  She has already worked on other research projects such as testing the water quality and aquatic life in the Potomac River with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  She hopes to continue doing all kinds of interesting research and hopes to join the CBF after her studies at CNU!

Kenton Buck is a freshman at Christopher Newport University and is thrilled to be working on such exciting research. A long-time fan of the outdoors and nature, Kenton has participated in many outdoor activities including a 62 mile backpacking trip in New Mexico. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology and plans to minor in chemistry and leadership studies. After graduation, Kenton plans to go to graduate school and either study medicine or some other biology related field.

Sheena Clift is a sophomore pursuing a BS in Biology at CNU. She is a member of the Prehealth Club and intends to go to medical school. She was born in Indonesia and spent several years in the Philippines and India before moving to the US in 7th grade. Sheena spent a year in a half working in a Developmental Optometrist’s office with children who have visual disorders. She also spent a year working with autistic children for a few hours every week. Sheena enjoys playing tennis and has spent the past four summers helping her coach run a summer tennis camp for beginners.

Tara Dodson is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Her biology studies are mostly focused on medical/ health topics. She was a member of the Silver Storm Dance Team (05-06) and is now currently a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She has been a volunteer at several Physical Therapy Clinics and plans after graduation to pursue a DPT in Physical Therapy.

Mary Edmonds is a freshman at CNU pursuing a bachelor degree in biology. Before CNU, Mary held positions as a host on a 1940’s railroad car, and as a customer service representative at Books-a-Million. Mary has recently spent her summers in Montana and Alaska exploring the ecology and watching the different animals.

After obtaining her bachelors’ degree in biology, Mary hopes to go into field research with a focus on animals and how they interact with their environments.

Ishmael Patrick Ganame has owned a wide range of pets since a very early age and has been interested in animals his entire life.  He is particularly interested in bats and marine organisms. 

Currently he is working on the analysis of the various external survey techniques used for monitoring bat activity with his favorite professor Dr. Sherwin.  After graduating he plans on either doing field research or getting a job at the Washington National Zoo.

Nicki Merz is a freshman at CNU pursuing a bachelor degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology. Before arriving at CNU, she volunteered at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. for two years; the first year she volunteered in a program called “How Do You Zoo?” which educated children on the different jobs that the zoo offered; the second year she was a Keeper’s Assistant and helped in the zoo’s birdhouse where she worked with a range of birds from small exotic birds inside the birdhouse to large Rheas in cages on the outside.

Nicki plans on pursuing a masters in psychology and someday hopes to get a position as a criminal psychologist.

Erik Mogensen is a freshman at CNU pursuing a bachelor degree in Biology. He started out at Virginia Safari Park, where he lived and worked for seven years, doing everything from feeding and interacting with animals to presenting educational animal talks for groups. His favorite animal to date is the Pygmy Marmoset,Callitrix pygmaea, which he cared for while at VSP.

Erik plans on going on a master degree in biology and pursuing a position as a field biologist in the Amazon rainforest.

Tamara has worked at animal hospitals in the past in both Northern Virginia and in the Hampton Roads area.  She has worked as a playday/ doggy daycare attendant and loves working with all types of animals.

Tamara also helped in the undergrad research with the Bluebird Trail during the summer of 2006.  She observed 12 bluebird boxes in the Noland Trail and gathered data for each box once a week. 

Hannah White is a freshman at CNU pursuing a biology major. She has served as a volunteer at Bedford Animal Hospital helping around the office and going on several farm calls. She also had an internship through her Governor’s School at Bedford Animal Hospital. Hannah then started working at Blue Ridge Animal Hospital as a full time employee.

After obtaining her bachelor in science she plans to apply to veterinarian school at Virginia Tech or possibly Saint Kits in the Caribbean.  

Sarah Jones is a Bachelor of Science in Biology graduate.  She participated in research with Dr. Sherwin on the analysis of the various external survey techniques used for monitoring bat activity. 

After graduating in December 2006, she plans to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales.  She hopes to later pursue a master degree in biology and work in a health or medical field.