New Mexico Education Activities
As part of our mission, Unit scientists teach graduate level courses, mentor graduate students, offer hands-on experience in the field and in laboratory. The Unit oversees a 2500 sq ft wet laboratory that has been home to over 10 species of fishes. Unit personnel conduct workshops for our cooperators, the University, and the community as a whole. We serve as the Chair and major research advisor on Unit graduate committees and as members of graduate committees throughout NMSU and other universities. By combining teaching, research, and technical assistance, the New Mexico Unit provides students with an opportunity to pursue a graduate degree, but also receive scientific training and extensive hands-on experience.
Students in the New Mexico Unit Program can pursue an M.S. through the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology or a Ph.D. degree through the Departments of Biology and Animal and Range Sciences. Students have the opportunity to design their curricula around their research program. Students with Dr. Caldwell generally obtain degrees focused in fisheries or toxicology. Students with Dr. Cain will obtain degrees focused in areas of wildlife. An Applied Statistics program at NMSU provides a range of statistics classes and an opportunity to obtain a Minor in Statistics.
Check out our course offerings below!
| Title | Instructor(s) | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife-habitat Relationships | Cain | 2009-01-21 | 2009-05-15 |
| Wildlife-habitat Relationships | Cain | 2019-08-15 | 2019-12-09 |
| Wildlife-habitat Relationships | Cain | 2015-08-19 | 2015-12-11 |
| Wildlife-habitat Relationships | Cain | 2013-08-21 | 2013-12-06 |
| Wildlife-habitat Relationships | Cain | 2011-08-18 | 2011-12-06 |
| Wildlife Management I | Cain | 2008-08-23 | 2008-12-15 |
| Stable Isotope Ecology | Carleton | 2013-01-14 | 2013-05-11 |
| Special topics: Local flora | Bender | 2005-07-01 | 2005-08-15 |
| Special Topics: Environmental Policy & Management in the Southwest | Bender | 2004-05-15 | 2004-06-30 |
| Special Topics- Southwestern Plant Communities | Boykin | 2010-08-15 | 2010-12-15 |
| Special Topics – Ecosystem Services | Boykin | 2010-08-15 | 2010-12-15 |
| Special Topics (Independent Study) - Southwestern Plant Communities | Boykin | 2011-01-15 | 2011-05-15 |
| Special Topics (Independent Study) - Applied Conservation Genetics | Boykin | 2010-01-15 | 2010-05-15 |
| Seminar in Natural Resources Management | Boykin | 2004-01-15 | 2004-05-15 |
| Seminar in Natural Resouce Management | Boykin | 2017-08-16 | 2017-12-08 |
| Quantitative Biology | Cain | 2010-01-21 | 2010-05-15 |
| Quantitative Biology | Cain | 2009-08-23 | 2009-12-14 |
| Quantitative Biology | Cain | 2009-01-21 | 2009-05-15 |
| Quantitative Biology | Cain | 2008-08-23 | 2008-12-15 |
| Populations and Resources | Cain | 2007-01-15 | 2007-03-15 |
| Population assessment, health, and management | Bender | 2006-08-10 | 2006-12-20 |
| Population assessment, health, and management | Bender | 2005-08-17 | 2005-12-20 |
| Physiological Ecology | Carleton | 2014-01-14 | 2014-05-11 |
| Large Mammal Ecology, Management, and Conservation | Cain | 2018-08-15 | 2018-12-03 |
| Large Mammal Ecology, Management, and Conservation | Cain | 2016-08-17 | 2016-12-05 |
| Large Mammal Ecology, Management, and Conservation | Cain | 2014-08-21 | 2014-12-11 |
| Large Mammal Ecology, Management, and Conservation | Cain | 2012-08-23 | 2012-12-14 |
| Interdisciplinary Modeling: Water-Related Issues and Changing Climate | Boykin | 2012-06-04 | 2012-06-15 |
| Graduate problems: Condition and productivity of large mammals | Bender | 2005-08-17 | 2005-12-20 |
| Graduate problems: Advanced Wildlife Habitat Management | Bender | 2006-01-14 | 2006-05-08 |
| Graduate Quantitative Biology | Cain | 2009-08-23 | 2009-12-15 |
| Graduate Problems: Wildlife Harvest Analysis | Bender | 2006-08-10 | 2006-12-20 |
| Geospatial Mapping | Cain | 2009-08-23 | 2009-12-14 |
| Game Bird Ecology and Management | Carleton | 2015-01-01 | 2015-05-15 |
| GIS for Natural Resource Scientists | Boykin | 2017-08-16 | 2017-12-08 |
| Field Methods for Wildlife and Conservation | Cain | 2010-01-21 | 2010-05-15 |
| Environmental Policy and Management in the Southwest | Bender | 2005-01-10 | 2005-05-15 |
| Environmental Physiology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2008-01-18 | 2008-05-05 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2020-01-16 | 2020-05-16 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2018-01-13 | 2018-05-15 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2016-01-13 | 2016-05-15 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2014-01-15 | 2014-04-15 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2010-01-16 | 2010-05-04 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2006-01-14 | 2006-05-08 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2004-01-23 | 2004-05-14 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2002-01-08 | 2002-05-14 |
| Enivornmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | 2012-01-15 | 2012-05-15 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | 2017-01-18 | 2017-05-12 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | 2015-01-15 | 2015-05-12 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | 2011-01-12 | 2011-05-04 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | 2009-01-16 | 2009-05-08 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | 2005-01-14 | 2005-05-06 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | 2003-01-08 | 2003-05-09 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | 2001-01-05 | 2001-05-16 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management: Mammals | Bender | 2004-08-15 | 2004-12-15 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management: Mammals | Bender | 2003-08-15 | 2003-12-15 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management: Mammals | Bender | 2002-08-10 | 2002-12-20 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management-Mammals | Bender | 2001-08-13 | 2001-12-15 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management | Bender | 2008-08-01 | 2008-12-20 |
| Advanced Mammalogy | Bender | 2002-01-10 | 2002-05-15 |
| Training Provided | Instructor(s) | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| UTV Operator Safety Training, Valles Caldera, NM | Cain | 2019-04-30 |
| Snowmobile Safety Training, Greens Peak, AZ | Cain | 2020-03-16 |
| Provided a 2.0 day workshop on the Use and Application of the Necropsy-based Fish Health and Condition Profile for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. | Caldwell, Sykes | 2006-03-19 |
| Provided a 2 day short course to the New Mexico Deaprtment of Game and Fish Commission covering concepts and applications of fish and wildlife management. | Bender | 2003-09-18 |
| Provided a 1 day workshop on (1) population management of large mammals and (2) habitat management for large mammals for New Mexico department of Game and Fish | Bender | 2003-04-15 |
| Provided a 1 day training workshop on assessing condition of large herbivores to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. | Bender | 2002-09-15 |
| Provided a 0.5 day training of the Necropsy-based Fish Health Assessment to the national Wildlife Student Enclave while held at NMSU. | Caldwell | 2006-10-10 |
| Provided 2.5-day training shortcourse on Communications, New Technology, Ecological Principles, and Social Interface to members of the New Mexico Game Commission and selected representatives of the outdoor/conservation public in New Mexico. | Bender, Boykin, Caldwell, Thompson | 2002-09-15 |
| New Mexico Wildlife Biologist's Workshop. Provided 1 day workshop on (1) population management and (2) habitat function and management. | Bender | 2003-04-16 |
| New Mexico Game Commissioners Short Course. Developed and presented a 1-day training short course for members of the New Mexico Game Commission. Technical training included Uses of GIS in Wildlife Management and Wildlife Diseases in New Mexico. | Bender | 2006-10-01 |
| New Mexico Game Commissioners Short Course. Developed and presented a 1-day training short course for members of the New Mexico Game Commission. Technical training included Uses of GIS in Wildlife Management and Wildlife Diseases in New Mexico. | Bender | 2005-10-15 |
| New Mexico Game Commissioners Short Course. Developed and presented a 1-day training short course for members of the New Mexico Game Commission. Technical training included Uses of GIS in Wildlife Management and Wildlife Diseases in New Mexico. | Bender | 2005-10-01 |
| New Mexico Game Commission Shortcourse. Provided a 1 day training session for members of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Commission on "Fish and Wildlife Management: Conservation in context." | Bender | 2004-09-22 |
| New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Surveys Workshop. Provided 2 training sessions on survey methodologies and aerial sightability models for estimating ungulate populations. | Bender | 2005-06-15 |
| Necropsy-based fish health assessment | Caldwell, Sykes | 2001-04-28 |
| Developed and taught a workshop on Quantitative Methods for Science Masters Students. Workshop covered principles of research/experimental design, development and testing of research hypotheses, use of the hypothetico-deductive method, and statistical approaches, with an emphasis on the relationships between research hypotheses and experimental design. | Cain | 2008-07-15 |
| Deer Population Estimation Workshop. Provided 1 day workshop on estimating population size of mule deer. | Bender | 2004-08-02 |
| Body Condition Assessment Workshop. Provided 1 day workshop on evaluating nutritional condition of harvested ungulates. | Bender | 2004-01-16 |
| Assisted with a 2-day training shortcourse on Communications, New Technology, Ecological Principles, and Social Interface to members of the New Mexico Game Commission and selected representatives of the outdoor/conservation public in New Mexico. | Caldwell, DuBey | 2003-09-18 |
| Assisted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with a week long Fish Health Workshop at New Mexico State University. | Caldwell | 2003-12-12 |
| Application of stable isotopes to fisheries ecology and management | Carleton | 2012-03-25 |
| Aerial survey training, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. | Bender | 2007-07-02 |
| Aerial survey training, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. | Bender | 2006-07-16 |
| ATV-UTV Operator Safety Training, Magdalena, NM | Cain | 2019-05-21 |
| ATV-UTV Operator Safety Training, Las Cruces, NM | Cain | 2019-04-09 |
| ATV-UTV Operator Safety Training, Gallina, NM | Cain | 2016-07-02 |
| Title and Location | Speaker | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Transport, fate, and effects of mercury in an arid southwestern landscape. Presented to: Montana State University, Department of Biology, Bozeman, MT. |
Caldwell | 2007-11-29 |
|
Responses of desert bighorn sheep to the removal of anthropogenic water sources Presented to: University of the Witwatersrand |
Cain | 2007-02-15 |
|
Prioritizing Snake River cutthroat trout conservation in the Jackson Lake watershed Presented to: University of Wyoming-National Park Service Research Station |
Carleton | 2012-08-09 |
|
Mule deer in the Southwest: Trends in populations and habitat Presented to: New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Annual Meeting |
Bender | 2004-04-02 |
|
Molecules of Time: Reconstructing the Life History of Fish Using Stable Isotopes Presented to: New Mexico State University |
Carleton | 2013-11-10 |
|
Limiting factors of desert bighorn sheep and mule deer populations Presented to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Upper/Middle Rio Grande Ecosystem Team |
Bender | 2004-02-19 |
|
Influence of interspecific competition and predation risk on multi-scale habitat use of sable antelope Presented to: Sul Ross State University |
Cain | 2011-10-14 |
|
Habitat management for large mammals in arid and semi-arid ecosystems: consequences of providing water sources for wildlife Presented to: University of Botswana, Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Center |
Cain | 2008-06-01 |
|
Habitat management for large mammals in arid and semi-arid ecosystems: consequences of providing water sources for wildlife Presented to: Northern Arizona University |
Cain | 2012-09-05 |
|
Habitat and resource partitioning among tall-grass grazers: sable antelope, zebra, and buffalo in Kruger National Park, South Africa Presented to: New Mexico State University |
Cain | 2013-01-31 |
|
Foraging constraints, diet quality, and condition/productivity of wild large herbivores: quality limited foragers in a quantity driven management paradigm Presented to: New Mexico State University (Department of Animal and Range Sciences) |
Bender | 2004-03-03 |
|
Fish diversity in New Mexico: Management, conflict and compromise. Presented to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Seminar Series, Bozeman Fish Technology Center, Bozeman, MT. |
Caldwell | 2007-10-03 |
|
Feeding ecology of puku and lechwe on the Chobe River floodplains, Botswana Presented to: Caracal Biodiversity and Environmental Research Center |
Cain | 2012-07-25 |
|
Condition, productivity, and health of large herbivores: causes, implications, & changing landscapes Presented to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional (Albuquerque) Seminar Series |
Bender | 2003-11-15 |
|
Condition and productivity of mule deer in New Mexico Presented to: Dona Ana County Associated Sportsmen |
Bender | 2004-06-15 |
|
Boykin, K.G. November 2007. Habitat Distribution Models for 37 Vertebrate Species in the Mojave Desert Ecoregion of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Presented to: Desert Research Institute Environmental Seminar Series. Reno, NV |
Boykin | 2007-11-30 |
|
Baldwin, R. A., and L. C. Bender. June 2004. The "bear" essentials: insight into the charismatic black bear. Research & Resources Day, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado, USA. Presented to: Rocky Mountain National Park |
Bender | 2004-06-12 |
|
Baldwin, R. A. and L. C. Bender. The "bear" essentials: insight into the charismatic black bear. Presented to: Spring 2004 Lyceum, Rocky Mountain National Park |
Bender | 2004-05-08 |
|
A bioenergetic assessment of seasonal habitat selection by rainbow trout in a southwestern headwater stream Presented to: New Mexico State University - Department of Biology |
Caldwell | 2015-04-30 |
| Title | Presenter | Date |
|---|---|---|
| What is the role and responsibility of researchers in assisting state and federal agencies in making informed management decisions? | Caldwell | 2014-09-09 |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Guest Lecture, Youth Forum for the Environment | Caldwell | 2008-04-19 |
| Transport, Fate and Effects of Contaminants in Aquatic Systems | Caldwell | 2011-10-13 |
| Mapping Biodiversity Metrics at Regional and National Landscape Scales | Boykin | 2011-09-09 |
| Landscape Ecology | Boykin | 2007-04-15 |
| "Perspectives on the Fields of Fisheries and Wildlife: The Career Path of a Fisheries Professional " | Caldwell | 2019-02-28 |
| Student (Degree) | Advisor | Start Year | End Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zummo, Krysten (MS) | Carleton | 2013 | Present |
| Zeigler, Matthew (MS) | Caldwell | 2008 | 2011 |
| Wright, Gregory (MS) | Boykin | 2008 | 2011 |
| Wallin, Tyler (MS) | Caldwell | 2016 | 2019 |
| Virden, Kevin (MS) | Cain | 2017 | Present |
| Vasvil, Alexander (MS) | Caldwell | 2016 | 2019 |
| Trujillo, Jane (MS) | Caldwell | 2019 | Present |
| Threadgill, Courtney (MS) | Cain | 2016 | 2019 |
| Thompson, Cara (MS) | Cain | 2018 | Present |
| Tellez, Aracely (MS) | Boykin | 2016 | Present |
| Strong, Cody (MS) | Carleton | 2012 | 2016 |
| Sorensen, Grant (PhD) | Cain | 2010 | 2015 |
| Smythe, Sharon (PhD) | Cain | 2015 | Present |
| Smith, Kathryn (MS) | Cain | 2009 | 2011 |
| Smith, Jennifer (PhD) | Boykin | 2010 | 2016 |
| Small, Brian (MS) | Cain | 2013 | 2015 |
| Slaughter, Christin (PhD) | Boykin | 2005 | Present |
| Schweiger, Brittany (MS) | Cain | 2019 | Present |
| Salas, Marcelo (PhD) | Carleton | 2012 | 2015 |
| Ruhl, Caitlin (MS) | Cain | 2016 | Present |
| Rossettie, Tricia (MS) | Cain | 2016 | 2019 |
| Rosas-Rosas, Octavio (PhD) | Bender | 2001 | Present |
| Roerick, Tanya (MS) | Cain | 2014 | 2017 |
| Roeder, Brian (MS) | Bender | 2000 | 2003 |
| Rodriguez, Ruben (MS) | Boykin | 2012 | 2015 |
| Robinson, Quinn (MS) | Cain | 2010 | 2013 |
| Roberts, Caleb (MS) | Cain | 2013 | 2015 |
| Rivieccio, Marina (MS) | Boykin | 1998 | 2000 |
| Reddell, Craig (MS) | Cain | 2015 | 2018 |
| Quintana, Nicole (PhD) | Cain | 2010 | 2016 |
| Prude, Hunter (MS) | Cain | 2015 | Present |
| Pollack, Emily (MS) | Bender | 2005 | 2007 |
| Pitman, James (MS) | Cain | 2011 | 2013 |
| Perkins-Taylor, Ian (MS) | Cain | 2015 | 2017 |
| O’Shaughnessy, Ryan (MS) | Cain | 2007 | 2010 |
| Overstreet, Matthew (MS) | Cain | 2011 | 2014 |
| Overstreet, Matthew (MS) | Caldwell | 2008 | 2013 |
| Oakleaf, John (PhD) | Cain | 2011 | Present |
| Millsap, Brian (PhD) | Cain | 2012 | 2018 |
| Miller, Michael (MS) | Caldwell | 2020 | Present |
| Meyers, Andrew (MS) | Carleton | 2014 | 2016 |
| Meliopolus, DeeAnne (MS) | Carleton | 2014 | Present |
| Martinez, Kailey (MS) | Cain | 2018 | Present |
| Lusk, Daniel (MS) | Carleton | 2012 | 2016 |
| Lopez-Brody, Nathan (MS) | Cain | 2015 | Present |
| Lomas, Laurie (MS) | Bender | 2002 | Present |
| Leipold, Elizabeth (MS) | Carleton | 2015 | Present |
| Lawrence, Andy (PhD) | Carleton | 2012 | Present |
| Kunkel, Alex (MS) | Carleton | 2017 | Present |
| Kroll, AJ (MS) | Boykin | 1998 | 2000 |
| Kremer, Lauren (MS) | Caldwell | 2016 | 2019 |
| Kramer, David (MS) | Cain | 2010 | 2012 |
| Kindschuh, Sarah (MS) | Cain | 2012 | 2015 |
| Kay, Jacob (MS) | Cain | 2015 | 2018 |
| Karsch, Rebekah (MS) | Cain | 2011 | 2014 |
| Karish, Talesha (MS) | Cain | 2015 | Present |
| Kalb, Bradley (MS) | Caldwell | 2010 | 2013 |
| Humagain, Kamal (PhD) | Cain | 2013 | 2016 |
| Griffin, David (MS) | Carleton | 2013 | 2016 |
| Gould, Matthew (PhD) | Cain | 2011 | 2019 |
| Goljani, Reza (MS) | Cain | 2015 | 2017 |
| Garrison, Kyle (MS) | Cain | 2012 | 2014 |
| Galindo, Rene (MS) | Caldwell | 2008 | 2012 |
| Forney, Ronny (MS) | Cain | 2013 | 2015 |
| Flynn, Lauren (MS) | Caldwell | 2016 | 2020 |
| Fitch, Justin (MS) | Boykin | 2006 | 2008 |
| Field, Kelsie (MS) | Caldwell | 2020 | Present |
| Farley, Zack (MS) | Cain | 2018 | Present |
| Ewald, Megan (MS) | Bender | 2003 | Present |
| Etchart, Jose (MS) | Cain | 2015 | Present |
| East, Forrest (MS) | Carleton | 2012 | 2016 |
| Davis, Ron (PhD) | Bender | 2000 | Present |
| Dabengwa, Abraham (MS) | Cain | 2007 | 2009 |
| Coxen, Chris (MS) | Carleton | 2014 | Present |
| Cook, Bethany (PhD) | Carleton | 2013 | Present |
| Cho, SungJin (MS) | Caldwell | 2004 | 2008 |
| Chase, Nathan (MS) | Carleton | 2012 | Present |
| Chase, Nathan (MS) | Caldwell | 2011 | 2014 |
| Campbell, Meredith (MS) | Caldwell | 2014 | 2016 |
| Caltrider, Todd (MS) | Boykin | 2008 | 2012 |
| Brian, Ramos (PhD) | Carleton | 2013 | Present |
| Boyle, Scott (PhD) | Cain | 2018 | Present |
| Boggie, Matthew (PhD) | Cain | 2014 | 2018 |
| Boggie, Matthew (PhD) | Carleton | 2013 | Present |
| Bard, Susan (MS) | Cain | 2015 | 2018 |
| Bak, Jason (MS) | Boykin | 1998 | 2000 |
| Avery, Mindi (MS) | Caldwell | 2008 | 2012 |
| Avendano, Jose (MS) | Bender | 2003 | Present |
| Ashling, Jana (MS) | Cain | 2012 | 2015 |
| Armstrong, Benjamin (MS) | Caldwell | 2018 | Present |
| Anderson, Michael (MS) | Caldwell | 2006 | 2009 |
| Anaya, Arthur (MS) | Cain | 2015 | 2019 |
| Alvarez, Guillermo (MS) | Caldwell | 2013 | 2015 |
| ANderson, Colleen (MS) | Anderson | 2006 | Present |
| Lewis, Joseph (MS) | Cain | 2009 | 2012 |