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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Falcon from Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning nest recovering after collision and lead exposure | MSN

The National Aviary, which runs a livestream camera of the nest, says Red was admitted to the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh's Wildlife Center for treatment, where he was also diagnosed with elevated lead levels.

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Young falcon from Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning nest recovering after collision and lead exposure | CBS News

Red, a young peregrine falcon that hatched in the nest on top of Pitt's Cathedral of Learning this spring, is in the care of humans after he apparently suffered a collision and then tested positive for lead exposure.

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The first Andean condor in Ecuador is born in Cuenca under artificial incubation | Expreso

The Amaru Biopark announced the birth of Ecuador's first Andean condor through artificial incubation, a step forward for conservation.

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Forget the plane. Your tropical vacation can be found in Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Today Live

The National Aviary is bringing the island vibes to Pittsburgh, with music, cocktails, and plenty of birds.

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