Janey Fugate

Janey Fugate is a master’s student with the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in the Zoology and Physiology Department at the University of Wyoming under Dr. Matthew Kauffman. Her research focuses on how Yellowstone bison, after being nearly extirpated from the landscape in late 19th century, established the migration patterns and strategies they exhibit today. Multidimensional in nature, her research uses contemporary movement data and the 100- year historical record to understand how bison learned and recovered their lost migrations over generations. She hopes that her findings will serve broader ungulate conservation efforts as migrations around the world are truncated or in peril. Prior to joining the Kauffman Lab, she worked as a communications specialist and filmmaker for a variety of organizations, with a focus on documentary-style storytelling. She plans to weave creative elements into her research project, helping translate the bison migration story for diverse audiences.