Student Researchers

Student Researchers

The National Aviary is committed to educating, training, and mentoring the next generation of conservation leaders These graduate students have been mentored by conservation ornithologists at the National Aviary through a formal membership on their graduate committee and through ongoing collaborative research. 

The National Aviary recognizes the importance of education and the need for advance training of the next generation of conservation leaders. The following graduate students have been mentored by conservation ornithologists at the National Aviary through formal membership on their graduate committee, and through on-going collaborative research:

 Brandon Hoenig, Duquesne University, Ph.D., “Molecular determination of nestling diet and development.”

Mack Frantz, West Virginia University, Ph.D. “Demographic, spatial, and epigenetic response of the Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) to shale gas development.”

Brian K. Trevelline, Duquesne University, Ph.D., 2017. “Niche partitioning and trophic dynamics of songbird communities in impacted and unimpacted riparian ecosystems.”

Andrea Thomen, Syracuse University, M.S., 2014. Evaluating avian assemblages in Dominican cacao farms: Implications for management and conservation.

Boris Tinoco, Stony Brook University, Ph.D., 2014. “Understanding the influence of habitat alteration on hummingbird species using a multi-level analysis approach”

Brian K. Trevelline, Duquesne University, M.S., 2013. “Evaluation of DNA barcoding as a technique for elucidating the diet of Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) nestlings.

Jessie Knowlton, Stony Brook University, Ph.D., 2010. “Mixed-species flock ecology and conservation in the highly threatened Tumbesian Region of Ecuador.”

In The News

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BRAND-NEW FOREST FUN: It’s finally time to meet the new stinkin’ cute Striped Skunks (and help name them!), and other woodland creatures this fall ONLY at the National Aviary | National Aviary

During the Aviary’s latest seasonal theme, Forests Presented by Peoples, find yourself wandering along tree-covered pathways, with cascading pumpkins around colorful photo opportunities for families and friends alike!

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Striped skunk sisters arrive at National Aviary | Observer-Reporter

The National Aviary is welcoming two new furry animal ambassadors to its collection of 500 birds and mammals -: striped skunk sisters.

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Is It OK to Befriend a Crow? We Asked Bird Experts | Martha Stewart

Here in the real world, these super-smart birds are unexpected stars of social media, where users on CrowTok show off the ways they connect with their local corvids.

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Little Stinkers: The Aviary Welcomes Baby Skunks, and You Can Help Name Them | Pittsburgh Magazine

The striped sisters will follow in their mother’s footsteps to become animal ambassadors.

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You can name National Aviary’s new skunks, but there’s a deadline | USA Today

The pair of striped skunks, born in the spring, arrived at the aviary in Pittsburgh over the summer. The skunks are nearly identical, though the white stripes along the top of their heads are unique, with one reaching a narrow point while the other curves toward one side of her nose.

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