Jessica R. Young

EDUCATION:
1994 Ph.D. Population Biology and Behavioral Ecology, Purdue University
1988 B.A. Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, UC, San Diego

UNIVERSITY POSITIONS HELD:
Jessica Young 2004 – Present Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Western State College of Colorado
2002-2004 Director of Environmental Studies, Western State College of Colorado
2001- present Associate Professor, Western State College of Colorado
1998-2001 Assistant Professor, Western State College of Colorado
1997- 1998 Assistant Professor, Coastal Carolina University, SC
1995-1996 Thornton Visiting Scholar, Western State College of Colorado
1994-1995 Visiting Professor, Hampden-Sydney College, VI

Teaching information

I have been teaching at undergraduate institutions since 1994. I am an Associate Professor of Biology at Western State College of Colorado and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Courses I Teach

  • Ecology
  • Zoology
  • Field Biology
  • Ornithology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Environmental Biology
  • Environmental Studies
  • Evolution of Mating Systems
  • Conservation Biology
  • Marine Biology in Baja California
  • Conservation Genetics
  • Galapagos and Ecuador Explorations

Professional Experience and Research Interests

In addition to my teaching, I am highly committed to involving students in research. Because of my background in both field ecology and population genetics, I can assist students in a variety of research projects. My general research interests integrate evolutionary theories of behavioral ecology and animal communication with applied aspects of conservation biology and wildlife management.

The Gunnison Sage Grouse

For the past decade I have been involved with research and conservation planning for the Gunnison Sage Grouse. (Check out the link for details!) Since 1995 Dr. Clait Braun and I have proposed that the Gunnison Sage Grouse is a distinct species. In 2000, several scientists and I published a paper describing this species. Gunnison sage grouse are about 2/3 the size of sage grouse elsewhere,  have different feathers, and produce different sounds with the yellow air sacs and their vocal apparatus. In 2000, the AOU recognized the Gunnison Sage-grouse as a distinct species based on physical, behavioral, and genetic traits.

 

 

A selection of publications

Fedy B.C., Martin K., Ritland, C., and J. R. Young.  2008.  Genetic and ecological data provide incongruent interpretations of population structure and dispersal in naturally subdivided populations of white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucur).  Molecular Ecology.  In Press.

Taylor, S. E. and J. R. Young. 2006. A comparative behavioral study of three Greater Sage-grouse populations. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 118(1):36–41.

Young, J. R. 2005. Animal Behavior: It's Role in Wildlife Biology. In “Research and Management Techniques for Wildlife and Habitat” Ed. Clait E. Braun 6 th ed. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda MD.

Martin K. M., G. A. Brown, and J. R. Young. 2004. The Historic and Current Distribution of the Vancouver Island White-Tailed Ptarmigan ( Lagopus leucurus saxatilis ). Journal of Field Ornithology. 75(3):239-256.

Young, J. R., Braun, C. E., Oyler-McCance, S. J., Hupp, J. W. and T. W. Quinn. 2000. A new species of Sage-Grouse from Southwestern Colorado. Wilson Bulletin 112(4):445-453.

Schroeder, M. A., Young, J. R. and C. E. Braun 1999. Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus): In: The Birds of North America 425:1-28. (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim and F. Gill, Eds.) The Birds of North America, Inc. Philadelphia , PA.

Kahn, N. W., C. E. Braun, J. R. Young, S. Wood, D. R. Mata, and T. W. Quinn 1999 Molecular analysis of genetic variation among large- and small-bodied Sage Grouse using mitochondrial control-region sequences. The Auk 116(3):819-824.

Howard, R. D. and J. R. Young. 1998. Individual variation in male vocal traits and female mating preferences in Bufo americanus . Anim Behav. 55:1165-1179.

Young, J. R., Hupp, J. W., Bradbury, J. W., & Braun C. E. 1994. Phenotypic divergence of secondary sexual traits among sage grouse Centrocercus urophasianus populations. Anim. Behav. 47:1353-1362.

Braun, C. E., Martin, K., Remington, T. E. & Young, J. R. 1994. North American Grouse: issues and strategies for the 21st century. Trans. N. A. Wildl. and Nat. Resour. Conf. 59:428-438.





A Selection of Undergraduate Research Projects

John Stanek, 2004. Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) winter habitat study. Western State College of Colorado Science Seminar series. John is currently in graduate school at the University of Wyoming.

Russell Beam, 2003. An Investigation into the relationship between ant diversity and abundance, habitat type and ecosystem health in a sagebrush steppe habitat. Western State College of Colorado Science Seminar series.

Christine Clapp, Life History of Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) (Co-advisor Nancy Buschhaus). Christine is currently a graduate student at Colorado State University.

 

Crystal Petersen, A comparative study of life history traits of Mountain Bluebirds and Tree Swallows at low and high elevations (co/advised w/Nancy Buscchaus University of Tennessee and Rocky Mountain Biological Lab. Crystal is a Colorado Division of Wildlife Officer.

Matt Vasquez, Determination of winter use of sagebrush subspecies by Gunnison Sage-Grouse on Flat Top Mountain: Assessment for prescribed fire planning. Matt works for the US Forest Service and continues to be involved in research and monitoring projects.

Mary Lehl, Population Distribution of Rough-legged Hawks in Gunnison, Colorado. Mary is in a Ph.D program at the University of Idaho.

Leslie Maddox, Western State College, CO, "Summer and fall diet choices of Gunnison Sage Grouse" Leslie is a public school teacher.

Craig Stanton, Western State College, CO, "Genetic comparison of White-tailed Ptarmigan populations and subspecies." Currently, Craig is finishing a Veterinary degree and MBA at Colorado State University .

Destin Harrel, Western State College, CO, "Forest structure in Northern Goshawk nesting site areas in the Gunnison Basin." Destin is a wildlife biologist for the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming.

Brandon Diamond, Western State College, CO, "Using GIS to Compare Abiotic Factors Influencing Habitat Use by Bighorn Sheep in Two Introduced Populations." (co-directed with A Stork). Brandon is a regional wildlife biologist for the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Michele Sewolt, Western State College, Gunnison, CO. "Conservation of white-tailed ptarmigan on Vancouver Island." Michele is a co-director of a conservation organization for Gunnison Sage-Grouse and works for Mother to Mothers.

Jennifer A. Hill, Purdue University, IN (w/R. Howard) "Female sage grouse vocal communication on the lek." Jennifer received her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico.

Laura A. Higgins, Purdue University, IN (w/R. Howard) "Spatiotemporal associations of sage grouse on a lek." Laura received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas and works for NASA.

Chris Henkel, Western State College, CO (w/M. Apley) "Summer habitat of Gunnison sage grouse." Chris owns a local horse ranch.

Tracy Swedlund, Western State College, CO (w/S. Adams) "Gunnison Basin sage grouse investigations." Tracy is a public school teacher.

Undergraduate Presentations

John Stanek. (2004) Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) winter habitat study. Western State College of Colorado Science Seminar series.

Russell Beam. (2003) An Investigation into the relationship between ant diversity and abundance, habitat type and ecosystem health in a sagebrush steppe habitat. Western State College of Colorado Science Seminar series.

Crystal Petersen. (2002) A Life History Study of Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) in the Gunnison Basin. The Tri-Beta National Meetings (San Antonio, TX) and the Tri Beta Annual Regional Conference (Gunnison, Colorado - Won the Brooks Award at both the Regional (1st place) and the National Conference (3rd place)

Matthew Vasquez. (2002) Determination of winter use of sagebrush subspecies by Gunnison Sage-Grouse on Flat Top Mountain. The 23rd Western States Sage and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Symposium, Bicknell, Utah; The Tri-Beta National Meetings (San Antonio, TX) and the Tri-Beta Annual Regional Conference (Gunnison, Colorado – 3rd place winner in Ecology)

Mary Lehl. (2002) Rough Legged Hawk habitat preference. The Tri-Beta National Meetings (San Antonio, TX) and the Tri-Beta Annual Regional Conference (Gunnison, Colorado – 3rd place winner in Ecology)

Mary Lehl. (2001) An investigation of female aggressive behavior on sage-grouse leks. Tri-Beta Annual Conference, Trinidad CO.

Leslie Maddox . (2001) Summer and Fall diet choices of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse. Tri-Beta Annual Conference, Trinidad CO.

Destin Harrell. (2000) Forest Structure in Northern Goshawk Nesting Site Areas in the Gunnison Basin. Guild of Rocky Mountain Population Biologist Annual Meeting, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic, Colorado.

Stephanie Wahl and Jessica R. Young. (1999) Gunnison sage grouse response to playbacks: evolutionary and management implications. Guild of Rocky Mountain Population Biologist Annual Meeting, University of Colorado, Mountain Research Station.

Brandon Diamond. (1999) Using GIS to Compare Abiotic Factors Influencing Habitat Use by Bighorn Sheep in Two Introduced Populations. Western State College Science Department Seminar.

Colette Weganast, Dorothy Schaub, Mary Crow, and Jessica Young. (1998) "Is there a dinner bell in the ring-billed gulls call? A test of the recruitment hypothesis." The International Society for Behavioural Ecology, Pacific Grove, California.

Thomas DeMaria. (1998) Microhabitat selection of white-tailed ptarmigan on Vancouver Island. National Conference for Undergraduate Research, Maryland.

Alex Upchurch. (1998) Molecular sex identification of eastern screech owls. NCUR, Maryland.

Laura Higgins, Jennifer Hill, Jessica Young, Richard Howard. (1996) Female social behavior on sage grouse. International Grouse Symposium. Fort Collins, Colorado.

Thomas Verry. (1996) A GIS analysis of big horned sheep habitat use in the Collegiate Peaks." Tri-Beta Regionals, New Mexico.

Eric Fraass. (1996) "A comparison of DNA yields from tissues samples using three non-invasive techniques." Tri-Beta Regionals, New Mexico.

Tracy Swedlund. (1991) Brood-rearing habitat of sage grouse in the Gunnison Basin. Tri-Beta regional meeting.





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