Miguel V. Fernandes, Ph.D.

1423 N. 26th Street Superior, WI 54880 (305) 338-0185m.fernandes.ecology@gmail.com

Education

Ph.D. - University of Miami 2011 Biology, Area of Specialization: Population Ecology

B.S. - University of Montana 2001 Wildlife Biology

Teaching Experience

Teacher - Honors Marine Science & General Chemistry 2014 MAST@FIU, North Miami, FL

Lectured on marine science and general chemistry principles and concepts.

Prepared lectures using MS-PowerPoint and other multi-media presentation tools.

Used online classroom tools to post class materials and announcements.

Wrote and graded exams, quizzes, and assignments.

Prepared supplemental course material.

Submitted documentation on student class grades.

Graduate Laboratory Instructor - General Biology & Evolution and Biodiversity 2006 – 2010 Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

Prepared lectures using MS-PowerPoint and other multi-media presentation tools.

Used Blackboard’s online class tools to post all class materials, announcements, and to helpstudents manage group assignments.

Lectured on the biological principles and concepts of each laboratory activity.

Guided students through laboratory methods, data collection and interpretation of results.

Helped students prepare MS-PowerPoint and poster presentations.

Wrote and graded exams and quizzes.

Managed course grades using Blackboard’s online class management tools.

Prepared supplemental information packets to aid students with more complex concepts.

Assisted students in person, via email, and on the phone.

Developed MS-Excel application to help student manage their grades.

Submitted documentation on student class grades.

Research Experience

Avian Research Project Specialist Current State University of New York, Albany, NY & U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Rhinelander, WI Primary Investigator: Dr. Deahn Donner

DATA ANALYSIS & MODELING

Currently investigating the influence of forest regeneration treatment type on thelandscape and population dynamics of the endangered Kirtland’s warbler (Setophagakirtlandii) in its breeding habitat.

Curriculum Vitae

Fernandes - CV 2

Using 11 years of mist-netting and color-banding mark-recapture data to test forest regeneration-specific yearly survival and transition rates using a multi-state modeling approach.

Estimating forest regeneration-specific yearly survival and transition rates as a function of treatment patch metrics, climate covariates, sex, time, interspecific density, and age.

VERBAL & WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Will prepare manuscript based on analysis and will give oral presentation of analysis results to fellow researchers.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Tasked with analyzing 26 years of Kirtland’s warbler mark-resight data in order to: (a) determine movement rates and site fidelity among patches as a function of habitat treatment type, interpatch distance, and time; (b) estimate patch- and treatment-specific demographic rates.

Wildlife Biologist 2015 - 2016 U.S. Forest Service, Superior National Forest, Duluth, MN Geologist, Minerals Supervisor: Eric Wirz

DATA ANALYSIS Maximized the research value of long-term data for Canada lynx, Northern goshawk,

Northern long-eared bat, and forest rodent species by identifying the most appropriate data analysis methods for each data type and how to combine different types of data to produce more robust estimates of population demographic rates.

SPATIAL ANALYSIS

Described and compared Canada lynx seasonal habitat use using spatial analysis (ArcMap 10.3) of long-term Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) telemetry data.

Described spatial relationships between forest projects and wildlife habitat.

WILDLIFE MONITORING AND SAMPLING DESIGN

Reviewed wildlife monitoring program and identified improved sampling methods to ensure future data quality.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT COMPLIENCE

Wrote Biological Assessments and Evaluations for minerals and other forest-wide projects.

Research and Data Analysis Consultant 2011 - Current Self-employed, Research Solutions M. Fernandes & Associates

DATA ANALYSIS & MODELING

Provide clients with expert assistance in answering questions about complex systems using advanced statistical and modeling techniques, such as Markovian models and dynamic systems modeling.

Modeling of complex dynamic systems (programs STELLA and Vensim) to help clients understand and explore the behavior of systems with complex interaction.

DEVELOPMENT OF CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY PLANS

Help corporation develop and implement corporate sustainability plans.

Fernandes - CV 3

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Prevented Fortune 500 company from relying on flawed analysis for decision-making.

Helped industry leading biotech firm identify how it is uniquely situated to make a valuable contribution to a world health issue.

Bat Scientist 2014 Cusuco National Park, Honduras Lead Researcher: Dr. Kirsten Bohn

FIELDWORK & MANAGEMENT

Led bat survey crews (total of 15 men and women) of student volunteers and research staff in month-long expedition to mist-net bats in the mountains of Cusuco National Park, Honduras.

Guided survey crews in, and conducted, mist-netting, handling, identification of bats, and collection of standard morphometric bat data.

Contributed to the expedition’s successful and safe completion by ensuring (1) Sound logistics planning; (2) Adherence to study and safety protocols; and (3) By promoting camaraderie among field crew.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Helped researchers identify (1) The types of bat data that could be collected in the field using different bat sampling techniques; and (2) The ecology questions that each technique would be best suited to address. Accomplished by making an ad-hoc estimate of bat recapture rates using an improvise bat marking technique in the field, combined with my CMR analysis experience.

Made recommendations on how to test and account for the potential influence of forest trails on the monitoring of different taxa. Recommendations based on my observation that the extent of trails within and around long-term monitoring sites was greater than previously recognized.

Doctoral Research 2008 - 2011 Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL Graduate Advisor: Dr. Donald DeAngelis

Dissertation: Effects Of Changes In The Everglades On Two Indicator Species: Sigmodon hispidus and Oryzomys palustri.

STUDY DESIGN

Designed and led study to help state and federal agencies better understand how the altered flow of waters to the Everglades affects rodents. This study was unique in several ways (1) It produced the first-ever long-term study of small mammals in the Everglades; and (2) Led to my current work which when published will be the first study to show the potential impacts of the severity and frequency of climate extremes and storm events on Everglades’ rodents and the potential impact of the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) on native species within the Everglades.

DATA ANALYSIS

Applied state-of-the-art CMR data analysis software (program MARK) and statistical methods to investigate the influence of variables for three key Everglades’ environmental factors: hydrology, climate and the tree island size on rodent survival and transition rates among tree islands.

DATABASE MANAGEMENT

Fernandes - CV 4

Greatly enhanced the research value of long-term rodent monitoring data by combining separate databases using VBA code to conduct extensive data validation and to reformat data into a common format.

Created large climate databases and used VBA coding to (1) quantitatively describe climate variables for specific periods within tens of thousands of climate data entries; and (2) To identify climate extremes events. This allowed, for the first time, to test the influence of climate extremes and storm events (not just average conditions) on rodent population dynamics.

FIELDWORK

Conducted monthly small mammal live-trapping, handling, and ear-tagging.

Trained and supervised dozens of undergraduate and graduate research assistants in fieldwork methods.

VERBAL & WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Delivered PowerPoint oral presentations of key research findings to National Park Service, other agencies, and at major professional meetings.

Kept US Geological Survey and National Park Service updated about progress and key developments, strengthening important lines of communication and enabling them to get the most value out of the research as it was being conducted.

At the request of the Park, prepared interpretive presentation and written materials on Everglades’ rodent ecology for Park staff and the public.

Co-wrote research grants that funded project.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

First long-term small mammal study in the Everglades.

Study praised by Park managers for providing valuable insights into Everglades’ rodent ecology.

Found that the main Park road was not a major dispersal obstacle to both rodent species in this study.

Provided valuable insights into the unique ecological value of the Rock Reef area to small mammal populations within the Everglades National Park.

Wrote invasive python simulation model, as part of a major multi-agency grant that was successfully funded and that helped shape future research.

Currently completing a re-analysis of the long-term rodent data using better climate data and more advanced CMR models. In addition to my previous findings, when published, this new work will be the first Everglades study with the long-term animal data analysis needed to quantify the impact of the invasive Burmese python on two of its prey species’ demographic rates.

Graduate Research – Southeastern Beach Mouse Inventory 2006 - 2008 Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michael S. Gaines

STUDY DESIGN Developed and conducted southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus

niveiventris) inventory and population dynamics study at Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida.

Fernandes - CV 5

Responsible for all aspects of planning and conducting beach mouse inventory, including, working collaboratively with all stakeholders, including state and federal agencies and private contractors.

Produced topographical maps of southeastern beach mouse inventory locations using handheld GPS and mapping software (ArcView 3.0).

Conducted monthly small mammal live-trapping, handling, ear-tagging, and collected standard biological data for small mammals.

DATA ANALYSIS

Estimated monthly beach mouse abundances and survival rates at each survey site from CMR data using program MARK.

Quantified vegetation composition and structure within trapping and surrounding trapping grids, using both field (the line intercept method, the graded rod and point frame sampling techniques) and GIS software (ArcView 3.0) methods.

VERBAL & WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Prepared technical progress and final reports for Canaveral National Seashore and PowerPoint oral presentations of findings delivered to agency, scientific, and local experts.

Co-wrote research grant that funded this project.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Recommended to Cape Canaveral National Seashore and Cape Canaveral Air Force Base resource managers that southeastern beach mice may be more vulnerable to local extinction than previously recognized because (1) beach mouse distribution within Cape Canaveral was more limited than previously recognized; and (2) estimates of the degree of spatial synchrony in beach mouse abundances, suggested that the risk of beach mice experiencing a simultaneous decline throughout Cape Canaveral was of concern.

Awards and Honors

Kushlan Frohring Graduate Research Support Fund 2009 University of Miami, Department of Biological Sciences

Graduate Student Travel Grant 2008 University of Miami, Department of Biological Sciences

Graduate Student Travel Grant 2007 University of Miami, Department of Biological Sciences

Jay M. Savage Graduate Research Support Fund 2004 University of Miami, Department of Biological Sciences

US Department of Agriculture Certificate of Merit 2001 US Forest Service, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Butte, MT

Reviewer

Ad Hoc Review, PLoS ONE 2014

Fernandes - CV 6

Peer Reviewed Publications

Fernandes, M. V., and M. S. Gaines. Evidence of severe declines in two of the Everglades' most common rodent species following the invasion of an exotic predator, the Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus). (In progress)

Badyaev, A. V., K. Foresman, and M. V. Fernandes. 2000. Stress and developmental stability: vegetation removal causes increased fluctuation asymmetry in shrews. Ecology. 81(2):336-345.

Fernandes, M. V. 2000. Developmental Stability in Japanese Quail: Effects of Embryonic Exposure to Carbon Dioxide. Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

Invited Lectures

Small Mammal Research and Conservation, Buenos Aires, Honduras 2014

The Daniel Beard Center, Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL 2010

University of Florida Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2009

Shark Valley Visitor Center, Everglades National Park, Miami, FL 2009

Scientific and Professional Presentations

Fernandes, M. V., D. DeAngelis, M. S. Gaines. 2009. Everglades’ small mammals: Long-term mark-recapture study. Poster session presented at The Wildlife Society. Miami, FL.

Fernandes, M. V., D. DeAngelis, M. S. Gaines. 2008. Long-term study of population dynamics of two small mammal species in the Everglades. Presented at The American Society of Mammologists. Brookings, SD.

Fernandes, M. V., D. DeAngelis, M. S. Gaines. 2008. The secret lives of Everglades' rodents revealed: insights from a long-term study. Presented at The Ecological Society of America 93rd Annual Meeting. Milwaukee, WI.

Fernandes, M. V., D. DeAngelis, M. S. Gaines. 2007. The effects of tree island size and water depth on population patterns on the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) and marsh rat (Oryzomys palustris) in the Everglades, Florida. Poster session presented at: The Ecological Society of America. San Jose, CA.

Professional Development

Timber Sales from a Wildlife Habitat Perspective Workshop 2015 University of Minnesota, Sustainable Forests Ed. Coop., Duluth, MN

Program MARK Workshop 2009 Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

Bat Conservation International, Abandoned Mine Bat Workshop 2001 Coeur d'Alene, ID

Professional Service

Conservation Biologist, Sierra Club & Friends of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Currently Assisting environmental organizations understand Canada lynx ecology and

issues related to the conservation of this species. Minneapolis, MN. Bat Scientist, Operation Wallace 2014

Mist netting and identifying bats species, Cusuco National Park, Honduras National Geographic BioBlitz 2010

Small mammal inventory of Elliot Key, Biscayne National Park, Homestead, FL

Fernandes - CV 7

Teaching References

Dr. John Cozza, Lecturer Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 (305) 348 - 4932 JCozza@fiu.edu

Dr. Donald DeAngelis Department of Biology, Cox Science Ctr., 1301 Memorial Dr., University of Miami Coral Gables, FL 33124 (305) 284 - 1690 ddeangelis@bio.miami.edu

Research References

Eric R. Wirz Superior National Forest 8901 Grand Ave. Place Duluth, MN 55808 (218) 626 - 4359 ewirz@fs.fed.us

Dr. Harald Beck Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252 (410) 704 - 3125 hbeck@towson.edu

Dr. Donald DeAngelis Department of Biology, Cox Science Ctr., 1301 Memorial Dr., University of Miami Coral Gables, FL 33124 (305) 284 - 1690 ddeangelis@bio.miami.edu

Dr. Michael S. Gaines Department of Biology, Cox Science Ctr., 1301 Memorial Dr., University of Miami Coral Gables, FL 33124 (305) 284 - 4272 mgaines@bio.miami.edu

Dr. James Nichols Patuxent Wildlife Research Center U.S. Geological Survey 12100 Beech Forest Road Laurel, MD 20708-4017 (301) 497 - 5660 jnichols@usgs.gov

John Steiner Canaveral National Seashore 212 S. Washington Avenue Titusville, FL 32796 (321) 267 - 1110 CANA_Superintendent@nps.gov