Science - Staff Directory

Sabrina Beus is the Office Manager for the Boise, Idaho, Science and Technology Group. Prior to coming to TU, she worked at Spatial Dynamics for 11 years.  In that time she managed extensive GPS data collection projects, which included team training and oversight, maintained data integrity, integration of data into GIS, and establishing good public relations.  In addition to providing GIS and CAD support to various projects, she helped create documentation for a custom program and provided technical support to the users.  Sabrina has an Associates Degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Idaho State University School of Applied Technology.  She enjoys camping and other outdoor activities with her husband, 2 daughters, and dog. Contact Sabrina Beus Address: 910 Main Street, Suite 342, Boise, ID 83702. (208)345-9800.

Warren Colyer is the Project Coordinator for the Bear River Native Trout Program and a member of TU’s national science team. Warren received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington and a M.S. in Aquatic Ecology from Utah State University. He began working for TU in 2002 as the Field Coordinator for TU's Strategies for Restoring Native Trout Program. In that capacity Warren helped develop and implement a watershed-scale monitoring program to track the success of habitat restoration and reconnection projects to benefit native Lahontan cutthroat trout. In 2005 Warren returned to the Bear River (the site of his graduate research) to initiate the Bear River Native Trout Program. The Bear River project combines applied research with on-the-ground restoration to benefit native Bonneville cutthroat trout, and was one of the first test cases for TU’s Conservation Success Index. Warren spends time gardening, angling, and biking during the few months of the year when there isn’t enough snow in Utah to ski. Contact Warren Colyer Address: 249 South 100th West, Providence, UT 84332 (435)753-3132.

Dan Dauwalter is the Fisheries Research Specialist for the science team and works on many projects related to native and wild trout and application of the Conservation Success Index.  Before coming to TU in 2008, Dan was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Wyoming where he worked with the U.S. Forest Service to develop long-term monitoring plans for fishes on national forests.  He has a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University where he studied how aquatic habitats influence fish assemblages and smallmouth bass populations.  Dan has a Master of Science degree in Aquaculture/Fisheries from the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff and a Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota.  Dan, along with his wife Stacey, enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and also floating and fishing America’s streams and rivers. Contact Dan Dauwalter Address: 910 Main Street, Suite 342, Boise, ID 83702. (208)345-9800.
 
Kurt Fesenmyer is a GIS Specialist for TU’s national science team in Boise.  He works on a variety of conservation planning and prioritization projects, including the Conservation Success Index.  Kurt received Master of Environmental Management and Master of Forestry degrees from Duke University.  Prior to joining TU in 2008, Kurt worked for USGS as a wildlife biologist studying the habitats and birds of western shrubland ecosystems.  He enjoys vegetable gardening and exploring the west by foot, boat, bike, and skis. Contact Kurt Fesenmyer Address: 910 Main Street, Suite 342, Boise, ID 83702. (208)345-9800.

Amy Haak is the Resource Information Director for TU’s national science team.  She is primarily involved with development of the analytical side of the Conservation Success Index and its integration with TU’s conservation programs.  She has three degrees in Geography: a BA from Dartmouth College, and an MS and Ph.D. from University of Idaho where she focused on conservation biology and political ecology.  Prior to coming on staff with TU in 2006, Amy worked as a contractor for six years providing GIS services and analytical support to TU’s Public Land Initiative through Conservation Geography, a non-profit corporation she founded in 1996.  In 1996 Amy was also a founding partner in Spatial Dynamics, a for-profit consulting business specializing in providing geo-spatial solutions to natural resource issues.  Amy has lived in Boise, Idaho since 1984 where she has been actively involved in local, state, and regional conservation work as Executive Director of Conservation Geography and as a volunteer board member of numerous conservation organizations. Whenever possible she enjoys exploring Idaho’s public lands from her whitewater canoe, skis, or mountain bike, accompanied by her black lab Pearl and assorted friends. Contact Amy Haak Address: 910 Main Street, Suite 342, Boise, ID 83702. (208)345-9800.

Dave Kumlien is Executive Director of the Whirling Disease Foundation.  Born in Janesville, Wisconsin, he graduated in 1972 from Macalester College in St. Paul Minnesota with a BA in Political Science.  After moving to Bozeman, Montana in 1973, he opened Wild Wings Orvis Shop, Bozeman’s first fly-fishing specialty shop, and operated the successful fly shop and guide service for 20 years.  Long active in outfitter and conservation issues, Dave was a founding director and the first President of Montana’s fishing outfitter organization, Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana (FOAM), and has served on the Board of Directors of the Madison-Gallatin Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  In response to the discovery of whirling disease in Montana’s Madison River, Dave helped found the Whirling Disease Foundation.  Following the sale of his fly fishing shop, Montana Troutfitters, he began part-time work as Development Director for WDF and was hired as the full-time Development Director in 1999.  In 2001, he was promoted to Executive Director, and in October of 2001, Dave received the prestigious Outdoor Life Magazine Conservation Award recognizing his conservation work and the accomplishments of the Whirling Disease Foundation.  The Outdoor Life award, established in 1923, includes a list of notable conservationists including Aldo Leopold and President Jimmy Carter.  Dave shared the 2001 award with public sector winner Governor John Kitzhaber of Oregon.  Dave, his wife Karyn and two sons, Kristopher and Kevin live in Bozeman.  Address: PO Box 327, Bozeman, MT 59771-0327. Phone: (406) 585-0860. Contact Dave Kumlien via email

Matthew Mayfield is a GIS Analyst for TU's national science team in Boise.  He works on the Conservation Success Index, as well as provides GIS support for TU's other programs including the Public Land Initiative, Backcountry applications, and the Western Water Project.  He received a B.S. in Geography at Appalachian State University, and prior to joining TU he worked for Conservation Geography, providing GIS support for Idaho's non-profit conservation community.  Matthew enjoys spending his free time mountain biking, snowboarding, watching football, and cooking. Contact Matthew Mayfield Address: 910 Main Street, Suite 342, Boise, ID 83702. (208)345-9800.

Helen Neville is the Research Scientist and works on a broad array of science-based projects as part of our national science team, ranging from research on non-native fish invasions, to the conservation genetics of important native fisheries, to assisting with the development of TU’s Conservation Success Index and its application to climate change and other conservation needs.  She is also our TU/BLM Program Coordinator, overseeing our restoration work on Lahontan cutthroat trout as well as our on-going cooperative agreement with the Bureau of Land Management.  Before coming to TU in 2006 Helen worked for several years with the US Forest Service’s Boise Aquatics Lab completing several genetic studies on Chinook salmon and native rainbow trout in Idaho.  She has a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno on the population genetics of Lahontan cutthroat trout, a Masters degree from the University of California, San Diego, and a Biology degree from Brown University.  She and her husband Frank and their daughter Sadie have just welcomed the latest (and last) addition to their family, their daughter Luna.  Hopefully soon they’ll emerge from the deep and get back out to explore more of great wild Idaho on bikes and skis. Contact Helen Neville Address: 910 Main Street, Suite 342, Boise, ID 83702. (208)345-9800.
 
Alissa Praggastis comes to TU with a background in biochemistry and genetics.  She recently graduated from Bates College and is working on a feasibility study for reintroducing native Chinook salmon and Steelhead trout in the Snake River tributaries in Nevada.  Before TU, Alissa researched the biochemical and genetic mechanisms of macular degeneration as well as studied the protein structure responsible for reproduction of the EMC virus.  When she is not working, Alissa enjoys mountain bike riding, cross-country and alpine skiing, hiking, playing the piano and drinking coffee. Contact Alissa Praggastis Address: 910 Main Street, Suite 342, Boise, ID 83702. (208)345-9800.

Seth Wenger is a post-doctoral researcher with the science team.  He works on a project funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to predict future distributions of native cutthroat trout and non-native trout species across the west in a changing climate.  His position is supported jointly by TU and the Rocky Mountain Research Station’s Boise Aquatic Sciences Lab, where he is based.  Seth holds MS and PhD degrees in Ecology from the University of Georgia and undergraduate degrees from Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania.  Before joining TU he served as the Associate Director of the University of Georgia’s River Basin Center.  His other areas of research include effects of urbanization on streams, methods for assessing and modeling animal populations, conservation planning, and aquatic resource management policy.  He enjoys photography, cooking, hiking and biking, and hopes to use this move out west to finally learn to fly fish and ski.  Contact Seth Wenger Address: 322 East Front Street, Suite 401, Boise, ID 83702. (208)373-4386.