Born and raised in Wyoming as the son of a wildlife filmmaker, I developed a keen interest in wildlife and vast, western ecosystems. This interest has transformed over the years through my participation in research projects on a wide range of species: raptors, prairie dogs, grizzly bears, and pronghorn to name a few. I earned my BS in Zoology from the University of Wyoming in 2014 and was named the outstanding graduating male senior of my class. I immediately started working at Western Ecosystems Technology (WEST), Inc. in Laramie under Hall Sawyer, PhD, where I primarily study impact analysis and migration ecology. As a graduate student, my specific research interest is how landscape and anthropogenic factors affect behavior and movement of wild ungulates. The aim of my current research project is to identify migratory behaviors of male mule deer, for the first time, relative to females. I am also interested in how autumn hunting season affects migration timing and whether deer change their behaviors in and around hunting season. I spend my free time trail running, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, and just about any outdoor activity I can get my hands on.
Download CVProfessional Preparation and Appointments
2014 – present Wildlife Research Technician. Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST)
2016 – present Graduate Student Research Assistant. Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (WY COOP)
2016 – present Graduate Research Assistant. Wyoming Migration Initiative (WMI)
Publications
Selected Presentations
Rodgers, P.A., T.W. Mong, M.J. Kauffman, and H. Sawyer. 2016. Mule Deer Migratory Behavior: A Comparison of the Sexes. Poster presentation to the Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Annual Meeting, Cody, WY.
Rodgers, P.A., T.W. Mong, M.J. Kauffman, and H. Sawyer. 2017. Mule Deer Migratory Behavior: A Comparison of the Sexes. Oral presentation to the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Annual Meeting, Laramie, WY. Video of presentation.
Rodgers, P.A., T.W. Mong, M.J. Kauffman, and H. Sawyer. 2018. Male Mule Deer Migratory Behaviors and the Effect of Hunting Onset on Autumn Migration. Oral presentation to the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Annual Meeting, Laramie, WY.
Scholarships & Fellowships
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. WMI article on award
2014 Tobin Memorial Award: Outstanding Graduating Male Senior at the University of Wyoming
Fredrick E. Clements Scholarship in Ecology