Brenna Cassidy brenna.cassidy@umontana.

edu

EDUCATION
Doctoral Candidate, University of Montana Winter 2023-2024 (expected)
Dissertation Topic: Effects of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on vital
rates of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Yellowstone National Park.
Advisor: Dr. Mark Hebblewhite

Bachelors of Science, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point December 2012

Major: Wildlife Ecology-Research and Management, Minor: Biology
magna cum laude

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
University of Montana-Wildlife Biology Program Doctoral Candidate August 2018-present
University of Montana-Wildlife Biology Program Teaching Assistant August-December 2018-2022
Isle Royale National Park Wolf and Moose Study Field Biologist January-March 2022-2023
Yellowstone Wolf and Elk Project Research Analyst September-May 2016-2018
Yellowstone Raptor Initiative & Core Bird Program Biological Technician May-September 2013-2018
Yellowstone Wolf and Elk Project Biological Technician September-May 2014-2016
Yellowstone Cougar Project Biological Technician January-April 2014
Yellowstone Wolf and Elk Project Biological Technician March-April 2013
Yellowstone Ecological Research Center Biological Technician May-August 2010
Yellowstone Core Bird Program Biological Technician May-August 2010
Yellowstone Wolf and Elk Project Biological Technician May-August 2009
ACADEMIC AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship ($138,000) 2019
Living with Wolves Research Grant ($25,000) 2023
Yellowstone Forever Research Grant ($17,805) 2023
Wilderness Institute Meier Graduate Fellowship ($7,500) 2021
Dan Pletscher Scholarship for Avian Sciences ($5,000) 2021
Harold C. Flanagan Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) 2008
Richard F. Johnson Legacy in Conservation and Forestry Scholarship ($1,400) 2019
William R. (Bud) and Jane Buckhouse Moore Graduate Research Endowment ($1,200) 2020
University of Montana Wildlife Biology Travel Grant ($500) 2022
Trail Sisters Adventure Grant ($500) 2021
15th Biennial Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Student Scholarship ($450) 2022
14th Biennial Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Student Scholarship ($250) 2018

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
§ Experienced in study design and the collection of demographic and behavioral data
§ Skilled in the management, manipulation, and cleaning of large datasets in program R
§ Experienced in summarizing data, data visualization, and writing reports in program R
§ Trained in the analysis (Bayesian and frequentist) of large amounts of data in program R
§ Skilled in writing peer-reviewed manuscripts for scientific journals
§ Experienced in collaborating with nonprofit, federal, and state partners to share data and implement
management decisions
§ Proficient in the formal and informal public education of diverse groups
 § Experienced in interaction over controversial issues (i.e. wolf hunting, predator management)
§ Skilled in supervising crews of both inexperienced and expert field technicians
§ Experienced with a variety of taxa including gray wolves, mountain lions, elk, grizzly bears, black bears,
wolverine, bison, mule deer, white-tailed deer, songbirds (riparian, grassland, and forest), waterfowl,
and raptors (diurnal and nocturnal).

FIELD SKILLS OVERVIEW

§ Skilled in backcountry navigation in a variety of terrains and seasons (via foot, skis, canoe, horse)
§ Experienced in multiple wildlife capture techniques (helicopter net-gunning, helicopter darting, ground
darting, treeing hounds, mist-netting) for a variety of taxa (including wolf, cougar, elk, grizzly bear,
welk, songbirds, raptors, waterfowl)
§ Experienced in aerial and ground radiotracking tagged wildlife
§ Knowledgeable in locating and identifying bird and mammal species by sight and sound
§ Experienced in field necropsies, tracking, and DNA collection
§ Proficient in the deployment of baited and unbaited camera traps

TEACHING & SERVICE

Yellowstone Forever field seminar “Wolves and Willows,” (lead instructor) 2017, 2018, 2021
Teaching Assistant, Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Management (WILD 370) 2018, 2022
Invited Panel Speaker, Biostatistics, University of Montana 2022
Manuscript Reviewer: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution & Conservation Science and 2022
Practice
Interview, The Intercept, Rocky Mountain Massacre 2022
Interview, The Wolf Connection, Effects of State Harvest on the Wolves of YNP 2022
Wildlife Biology Graduate Student Association (seminar coordinator, faculty liaison) 2019, 2022
Wildlife Biology Invited Guest Speaker Committee (committee member) 2018-2019, 2022-2023
University of Montana Undergraduate Thesis Mentor 2018-2019
Invited Guest Lecturer, Rewilding Animal Populations, University of Montana 2020
Invited Guest Lecturer, Professional Development Course, Cal Poly Humboldt 2021
Invited Guest Lecturer, Ayatana Artists’ Research Program 2021
Invited Guest Lecturer, Careers in Wildlife Biology, University of Montana 2019
Junior High School Workshops “Rewilding America,” (lead instructor) 2018
Sentinel High School Science Fair Mentor 2021
Owl Research Institute (bander & surveyor) 2020-present
Wolverine Watch (trail camera site coordinator) 2018-present
Adventure Scientists, Montana Wildlife Connectivity Project (surveyor) 2020-present
Glacier National Park Bird Program (surveyor) 2020-2022

PUBLICATIONS
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, K. A. Cassidy, D. R. Stahler, and M. Hebblewhite. 2023. Effects of Varying Harvest on
Survival of Gray Wolves in Yellowstone National Park. Journal of Applied Ecology, In Prep.
Smith, D. W. and B. Cassidy. 2023. Do wolves control their own numbers?: Population Regulation of Gray
Wolves (Canis lupus). Wildlife Biology. In Prep.
Kays, Roland, …, B. Cassidy, M. Hebblewhite, S. Parsons…et al. 2023. SNAPSHOT USA 2022: A Second
Coordinated National Camera Trap Survey of the United States during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Ecology Data
Paper, In Prep.
Cassidy, B. 2023. Young Zoologist: Gray Wolf. MacMillan Publishers, London, UK.
Cassidy, B. 2023. Coexistence. Trail Sisters, Boulder, CO.
Cassidy, K.A., D. Guernsey, B. VanValkenburg, Q. Harrison, B. Cassidy, and E.E. Stahler. 2016. Piece by Piece:
Wolf Project Sample Collections Go Beyond Ecology. Yellowstone Science: Celebrating 20 Years of Wolves 24:
92-94.

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Smith, D. W., and B. Cassidy. 2023. Do wolves control their own numbers? Wolves Across Borders.
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, K. Cassidy, D. R. Stahler, and M. Hebblewhite. 2022. Effects of State Harvest on
Survival of Wolves in Yellowstone National Park. The Wildlife Society National Conference.
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, K. Cassidy, D. R. Stahler, M. Metz, and M. Hebblewhite. 2022. Effects of Intrinsic and
Extrinsic Factors on Survival of Wolves in Yellowstone National Park. International Wolf Symposium.
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, K. Cassidy, D. R. Stahler, and M. Hebblewhite. 2022. Effects of State Harvest on
Survival of Wolves in Yellowstone National Park. North American Congress for Conservation Biology.
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, K. Cassidy, D. R. Stahler, and M. Hebblewhite. 2022. Effects of State Harvest on
Survival of Wolves in Yellowstone National Park. 15th Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater
Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Cassidy, B., S. Williams, D. W. Smith, P. Lukacs, and M. Hebblewhite. 2020. Estimating Survival and Detection
for Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) Pups in Yellowstone National Park. Ecological Society of America.
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, M. Hebblewhite, and P. Lukacs. 2019. Estimating Survival and Detection for Gray Wolf
(Canis lupus) Pups in Yellowstone National Park (poster). The Wildlife Society Annual Conference.
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, M. Hebblewhite, and P. Lukacs. 2019. Estimating Detection for Gray Wolf (Canis
lupus) Pups in Yellowstone National Park. University of Montana’s Graduate Conference.
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, L. Walker, and L. Baril. 2018. Response of ospreys and bald eagles to cutthroat trout
declines at Yellowstone Lake (poster). The 14th Biennial Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, and L. Baril. 2016. Adaptive management strategies to reduce human impacts on
trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) in Yellowstone National Park (poster). The 13th Biennial Conference on
the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Cassidy, B., D. W. Smith, and L. Baril. 2016. Adaptive management strategies to reduce human impacts on
trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) in Yellowstone National Park (poster). Conference of the Trumpeter
Swan Society.
Field Trip Instructor: 15+ in Yellowstone National Park for elementary school to graduate students
Formal Ecology Presentations: 20+ to general audiences, professional audiences, and students
Informal Ecology Presentations: 200+ to general audiences and students

REPORTS
Cassidy, B. and I. Evavold. 2023. Isle Royale Winter Study 2023 Ground Crew Field Summary. Isle Royale Wolf-
Moose Project, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA.

Cassidy, K.A., D.W. Smith, D.R. Stahler, E. Stahler, M. Metz, J. SunderRaj, M. Jackson, W. Binder, C. Meyer, T.
Bland, B. Cassidy, J. Rabe, and N. Tatton. 2022. Yellowstone National Park Wolf Project Annual Report
 2021. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA,
YCR-2022-04.

Cassidy, B. and I. Evavold. 2022. Isle Royale Winter Study Field Summary 2022. Isle Royale Wolf-Moose
Project, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA.

Cassidy, K., Smith, D., D. Stahler, E. Stahler, M. Metz, C. Meyer, J. SundeRaj, M. Jackson, W. Binder, B. Cassidy,
J. Rabe, N. Tatton. 2021. Yellowstone National Park Wolf Project Annual Report 2020. National Park
Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, YCR 2021-03.

Smith, D., D. Stahler, K. Cassidy, E. Stahler, M. Metz, C. Meyer, J. Rabe, N. Tatton, J. SundeRaj, L. Carroll, M.
Jackson, B. Cassidy, E. Loggers. 2020. Yellowstone National Park Wolf Project Annual Report 2019.
National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, YCR
2020-01.

Smith, D., D. Stahler, K. Cassidy, E. Stahler, M. Metz, B. Cassidy, L. Koitzsch, L. Cato, C. Meyer, E. Loggers, J.
Rabe, N. Tatton, R. Thomas-Kuzilik, and K. Koitzsch. 2019. Yellowstone National Park Wolf Project
Annual Report 2018. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National
Park, WY, USA, YCR2019-02.

Walker, L.E., D.W. Smith, M.B. Albrechtsen, B.J. Cassidy, E.M. Shields, and K. Duffy. 2019. Yellowstone National
Park Wolf Project Annual Report 2018. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources,
Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, YCR-2019-01.

Smith, D., D. Stahler, K. Cassidy, E. Stahler, M. Metz, B. Cassidy, L. Koitzsch, Q. Harrison, R. Thomas-Kuzilik, E.
Cato. 2018. Yellowstone National Park Wolf Project Annual Report 2017. National Park Service,
Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, YCR 2018-03.

Walker, L.E., D.W. Smith, B.J. Cassidy, E.M. Shields, M.D. Paulson, and K.E. Duffy. 2018. Yellowstone Bird
Program 2017 Annual Report. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone
National Park, Wyoming, USA, YCR-2018-02.

Smith, D. W., B. J. Cassidy, D. B. Haines, C. L. Revekant, and K. Duffy. 2017. Yellowstone Bird Program 2016
Annual Report. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park,
Wyoming, USA. YCR 2017-03.

Smith, D., D. Stahler, E. Stahler, M. Metz, K. Cassidy, B. Cassidy, L. Koitzsch, Q. Harrison, E. Cato, and R.
McIntyre. 2017. Yellowstone National Park Wolf Project Annual Report 2016. National Park Service,
Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, YCR 2017-02.

Smith, D., D. Stahler, E. Stahler, M. Metz, K. Cassidy, B. Cassidy, and R. McIntyre. 2016. Yellowstone National
Park Wolf Project Annual Report 2015. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources,
Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, YCR 2016-01.

Smith, D. W., L. Baril, B. Cassidy, D. Haines, L. Strait, and K. Duffy. 2016. Yellowstone Bird Program 2015
Annual Report. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park,
Wyoming, USA. YCR 2016-02.
Smith, D., D. Stahler, E. Stahler, M. Metz, K. Cassidy, B. Cassidy, and R. McIntyre. 2015. Yellowstone National
Park Wolf Project Annual Report 2014. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources,
Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, YCR 2015-02.

Smith, D. W., L. Baril, L. Strait, D. Haines, B. Cassidy, and K. Duffy. 2015. Yellowstone Bird Program 2014
Annual Report. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park,
Wyoming, USA. YCR 2015-03.

CERTIFICATIONS
Helicopter Crew Member Interagency Aviation Training 2016
Helicopter Operations Interagency Aviation Training 2016
Helicopter Transport of External Cargo Interagency Aviation Training 2016
Fixed-Wing Flight Manager Interagency Aviation Training 2016, 2023
Wildlife Field Anesthesia National Park Service 2017
Aviation Transportation of Hazardous Materials Interagency Aviation Training 2015, 2023
Aviation Mishap Review Interagency Aviation Training 2015, 2023
Basic Aviation Safety Interagency Aviation Training 2015, 2018, 2023
Wilderness First Responder Aerie Backcountry Medicine 2022
Level 1 Avalanche Training National Park Service 2018
Snowmobile Operator National Park Service 2018
Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research CITI Program 2018
Wilderness First Aid Aerie Backcountry Medicine 2017
CPR and First Aid with AED Training American Heart Association, Aerie 2016-2023
Animal Hazing and Aversive Conditioning National Park Service 2016
Aviation Radio Use Interagency Aviation Training 2015
Aviation General Awareness Security Training Interagency Aviation Training 2015
Aviation Project and Mission Planning Interagency Aviation Training 2015
Hunter Education and Firearm Safety Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources 2010

PROFESSIONAL AFFLIATIONS
Ecological Society of America 2020-present
The Wildlife Society 2018-present
American Association for the Advancement of Science 2018-2022
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 2008-2010

ADVANCED COURSEWORK & WORKSHOPS

University of Montana
Bayesian Integrative Population Modeling Workshop
Demographic Estimation (WILD 595)
Strong Inference Science (WILD 545)
Statistical Applications in Wildlife Biology (WILD 542)
Statistical Methods & Data Analysis II (STAT 452/458)
Organismal Biology, Ecology and Evolution II (BIOB 505)
Field Futures: Sexual Harassment Intervention
Perspectives in Human Dimensions (NRSM 574)
Communicating Science (WILD 595)
Topics in Habitat Ecology (WILD 563)
Wildlife Biology Graduate Seminar (WILD 594)
Behavior and Evolution (BIOB 406)

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Wildlife Population Dynamics (WLDL 353/354) Wildlife Research and Management (WLDL 311)
Integrated Resource Management (NRES 490)
Management of Wildlife Habitat (WLDL 451)
Natural Resources Public Relations (NRES 320)
Wildlife Diseases (WLDL 355)
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology (WLDL 458)
Animal Physiology (BIOL 281)
Ornithology (BIOL 377)
Land Surveying & Forestry Measurements (FOR
319/320)
Vascular Plant Taxonomy (BIOL 342)
Raptor Ecology (BIOL 498)
Animal Biology (BIOL 160)
Introduction to Fish, Forestry, and Wildlife Research
(NRES 250)
Fundamentals of GIS (GEOG 279)
Wildlife Management Techniques (WLDL 340/350)
Principles of Genetics (BIOL 210)
Mammalogy (BIOL 378)
Carnivore Ecology (WLDL 332)
Air, Water, and Land Use Planning (NRES 484)
Aquatic Ecosystem Evaluations (WATR 380)
Soil Conservation and Watershed Inventory &
Methods (SOIL 359/360)
Plant Identification (NRES 405)
Introduction to Soil and Water Resources (NRES 251)
Plant Biology (BIOL 130)
Ecological Basics of Natural Resource Management
(NRES 151)