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 Drs. Cain and Lawson 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.
| Title | Instructor(s) | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife-habitat Relationships | Cain | August 2019 | December 2019 |
| Wildlife-habitat Relationships | Cain | August 2015 | December 2015 |
| Wildlife-habitat Relationships | Cain | August 2013 | December 2013 |
| Wildlife-habitat Relationships | Cain | August 2011 | December 2011 |
| Wildlife Habitat Relationships | Cain | August 2021 | December 2021 |
| Stable Isotope Ecology | Carleton | January 2013 | May 2013 |
| Special topics: Local flora | Bender | July 2005 | August 2005 |
| Special Topics: Environmental Policy & Management in the Southwest | Bender | May 2004 | June 2004 |
| Population assessment, health, and management | Bender | August 2006 | December 2006 |
| Population assessment, health, and management | Bender | August 2005 | December 2005 |
| Physiological Ecology | Carleton | January 2014 | May 2014 |
| Large Mammal Ecology, Management, and Conservation | Cain | August 2020 | December 2020 |
| Large Mammal Ecology, Management, and Conservation | Cain | August 2018 | December 2018 |
| Large Mammal Ecology, Management, and Conservation | Cain | August 2016 | December 2016 |
| Large Mammal Ecology, Management, and Conservation | Cain | August 2014 | December 2014 |
| Large Mammal Ecology, Management, and Conservation | Cain | August 2012 | December 2012 |
| Graduate problems: Condition and productivity of large mammals | Bender | August 2005 | December 2005 |
| Graduate problems: Advanced Wildlife Habitat Management | Bender | January 2006 | May 2006 |
| Graduate Problems: Wildlife Harvest Analysis | Bender | August 2006 | December 2006 |
| Game Bird Ecology and Management | Carleton | January 2015 | May 2015 |
| Environmental Policy and Management in the Southwest | Bender | January 2005 | May 2005 |
| Environmental Physiology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2008 | May 2008 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2020 | May 2020 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2018 | May 2018 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2016 | May 2016 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2014 | April 2014 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2010 | May 2010 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2006 | May 2006 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2004 | May 2004 |
| Environmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2002 | May 2002 |
| Environmental Biology of Fish | Caldwell | January 2022 | May 2022 |
| Enivornmental Biology of Fishes | Caldwell | January 2012 | May 2012 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | January 2021 | May 2021 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | January 2017 | May 2017 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | January 2015 | May 2015 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | January 2011 | May 2011 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | January 2009 | May 2009 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | January 2005 | May 2005 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | January 2003 | May 2003 |
| Aquatic Contaminants and Toxicology | Caldwell | January 2001 | May 2001 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management: Mammals | Bender | August 2004 | December 2004 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management: Mammals | Bender | August 2003 | December 2003 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management: Mammals | Bender | August 2002 | December 2002 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management-Mammals | Bender | August 2001 | December 2001 |
| Advanced Wildlife Management | Bender | August 2008 | December 2008 |
| Advanced Mammalogy | Bender | January 2002 | May 2002 |
| Training Provided | Instructor(s) | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| UTV Operator Safety Training, Valles Caldera, NM | Cain | April 2019 |
| Snowmobile Safety Training, Reno Lookout, AZ | Cain | February 2022 |
| Snowmobile Safety Training, Greens Peak, AZ | Cain | March 2020 |
| 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 | March 2006 |
| 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 | September 2003 |
| 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 | April 2003 |
| Provided a 1 day training workshop on assessing condition of large herbivores to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. | Bender | September 2002 |
| Provided a 0.5 day training of the Necropsy-based Fish Health Assessment to the national Wildlife Student Enclave while held at NMSU. | Caldwell | October 2006 |
| 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 | September 2002 |
| New Mexico Wildlife Biologist's Workshop. Provided 1 day workshop on (1) population management and (2) habitat function and management. | Bender | April 2003 |
| 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 | October 2006 |
| 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 | October 2005 |
| 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 | September 2004 |
| 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 | June 2005 |
| Necropsy-based fish health assessment | Caldwell, Sykes | April 2001 |
| Deer Population Estimation Workshop. Provided 1 day workshop on estimating population size of mule deer. | Bender | August 2004 |
| Body Condition Assessment Workshop. Provided 1 day workshop on evaluating nutritional condition of harvested ungulates. | Bender | January 2004 |
| 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 | September 2003 |
| Assisted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with a week long Fish Health Workshop at New Mexico State University. | Caldwell | December 2003 |
| Application of stable isotopes to fisheries ecology and management | Carleton | March 2012 |
| Aerial survey training, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. | Bender | July 2007 |
| Aerial survey training, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. | Bender | July 2006 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Sipe Wildlife Area, Arizona | Cain | May 2020 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Sipe Wildlife Area, AZ | Cain | February 2021 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Magdalena, New Mexico | Cain | May 2021 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Magdalena, NM | Cain | May 2019 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Las Cruces, New Mexico | Cain | November 2020 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Las Cruces, New Mexico | Cain | May 2022 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Las Cruces, NM | Cain | April 2019 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Gallina, NM | Cain | July 2016 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, CO | Cain | March 2021 |
| ATV Operator Safety Training, Delta, Colordo | Cain | April 2022 |
| Title and Location | Speaker | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Using Technical Assistance to Maintain and Strengthen Science Partnerships Presented to: Cooperative Research Units New Scientists Orientation |
Caldwell | February 2021 |
|
Using Technical Assistance to Maintain and Strengthen Science Partnerships Presented to: Cooperative Research Units New Scientist Orientation |
Caldwell, Mitchell, Grand | January 2020 |
|
Transport, fate, and effects of mercury in an arid southwestern landscape. Presented to: Montana State University, Department of Biology, Bozeman, MT. |
Caldwell | November 2007 |
|
Prioritizing Snake River cutthroat trout conservation in the Jackson Lake watershed Presented to: University of Wyoming-National Park Service Research Station |
Carleton | August 2012 |
|
Mule deer in the Southwest: Trends in populations and habitat Presented to: New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Annual Meeting |
Bender | April 2004 |
|
Molecules of Time: Reconstructing the Life History of Fish Using Stable Isotopes Presented to: New Mexico State University |
Carleton | November 2013 |
|
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 | February 2004 |
|
Keynote address: Working towards more informed landscape-scale forest restoration in the Southwest: responses of mule deer, elk and black bears to treatments and wildfires. Presented to: Annual Meeting of the Rio Grande Water Fund, Albuquerque, New Mexico |
Cain | April 2018 |
|
Influence of interspecific competition and predation risk on multi-scale habitat use of sable antelope Presented to: Sul Ross State University |
Cain | October 2011 |
|
Habitat management for large mammals in arid and semi-arid ecosystems: consequences of providing water sources for wildlife Presented to: Northern Arizona University |
Cain | September 2012 |
|
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 | January 2013 |
|
Foraging decisions and populations dynamics: ungulates under a warmer climate. Presented to: Webinar - National Climate Change and Wildlife Science CentWebinar - National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and National Conservation Training Center.er and National Conservation Training Center. |
Cain, Gedir | February 2018 |
|
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 | March 2004 |
|
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 | October 2007 |
|
Feeding ecology of puku and lechwe on the Chobe River floodplains, Botswana Presented to: Caracal Biodiversity and Environmental Research Center |
Cain | July 2012 |
|
Confronting uncertainty in wildlife conservation with decision-support science for data-deficient species Presented to: New Mexico State University |
Lawson | October 2022 |
|
Condition, productivity, and health of large herbivores: causes, implications, & changing landscapes Presented to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional (Albuquerque) Seminar Series |
Bender | November 2003 |
|
Condition and productivity of mule deer in New Mexico Presented to: Dona Ana County Associated Sportsmen |
Bender | June 2004 |
|
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 | June 2004 |
|
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 | May 2004 |
|
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 | April 2015 |
| Title | Presenter | Date |
|---|---|---|
| What is the role and responsibility of researchers in assisting state and federal agencies in making informed management decisions? | Caldwell | September 2014 |
| Value-added conservation: Qualitative value of information to prioritize uncertainties in avian conservation | Lawson | September 2022 |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Guest Lecture, Youth Forum for the Environment | Caldwell | April 2008 |
| Transport, Fate and Effects of Contaminants in Aquatic Systems | Caldwell | October 2011 |
| Species Status Assessments: Applied Population Ecology and Decision Analysis | Lawson | April 2021 |
| Hidden in Plain Sight: Identifying Latent Population Structure with Bayesian Population Models | Lawson | April 2022 |
| Effects of a Warming Climate in Southwestern Streams: Salmonids have no where to go but up! | Caldwell | November 2019 |
| "Perspectives on the Fields of Fisheries and Wildlife: The Career Path of a Fisheries Professional " | Caldwell | February 2019 |
| Student (Degree) | Advisor | Start Year | End Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zummo, Krysten (MS) | Carleton | 2013 | Present |
| Threadgill, Courtney (MS) | Cain | 2016 | 2019 |
| Strong, Cody (MS) | Carleton | 2012 | 2016 |
| Sorensen, Grant (PhD) | Cain | 2010 | 2015 |
| Smith, John (MS) | Lawson | 2021 | Present |
| Small, Brian (MS) | Cain | 2013 | 2015 |
| Schweiger, Brittany (MS) | Cain | 2019 | 2021 |
| Salas, Marcelo (PhD) | Carleton | 2012 | 2015 |
| Rosas-Rosas, Octavio (PhD) | Bender | 2001 | Present |
| Robinson, Quinn (MS) | Cain | 2010 | 2013 |
| Quintana, Nicole (PhD) | Cain | 2010 | 2016 |
| Porter, Riley (MS) | Lawson | 2021 | Present |
| Pollack, Emily (MS) | Bender | 2005 | 2007 |
| Perkins-Taylor, Ian (MS) | Cain | 2015 | 2017 |
| Padilla, Colton (MS) | Cain | 2021 | Present |
| Overstreet, Matthew (MS) | Caldwell | 2008 | 2013 |
| Osterhaus, Dylan (PhD) | Lawson | 2021 | Present |
| Oakleaf, John (PhD) | Cain | 2011 | 2022 |
| O'Connell, Clare (MS) | Cain | 2020 | 2022 |
| Millsap, Brian (PhD) | Cain | 2012 | 2018 |
| Miazga, Jim (MS) | Caldwell | 2019 | 2022 |
| Meyers, Andrew (MS) | Carleton | 2014 | 2016 |
| Meliopolus, DeeAnne (MS) | Carleton | 2014 | Present |
| Lusk, Daniel (MS) | Carleton | 2012 | 2016 |
| Lopez-Brody, Nathan (MS) | Cain | 2015 | 2021 |
| Lomas, Laurie (MS) | Bender | 2002 | Present |
| Lichwa, Evelyn (MS) | Cain | 2020 | 2021 |
| Leipold, Elizabeth (MS) | Carleton | 2015 | Present |
| Lawrence, Andy (PhD) | Carleton | 2012 | Present |
| Kramer, David (MS) | Cain | 2010 | 2012 |
| Griffin, David (MS) | Carleton | 2013 | 2016 |
| Goljani, Reza (MS) | Cain | 2015 | 2017 |
| Forney, Ronny (MS) | Cain | 2013 | 2015 |
| Ewald, Megan (MS) | Bender | 2003 | Present |
| East, Forrest (MS) | Carleton | 2012 | 2016 |
| Del Piccolo, Guilio (MS) | Lawson | 2021 | Present |
| Coxen, Chris (MS) | Carleton | 2014 | Present |
| Cook, Bethany (PhD) | Carleton | 2013 | Present |
| Ciocco, Any (MS) | Lawson | 2021 | Present |
| Chase, Nathan (MS) | Carleton | 2012 | Present |
| Buskirk, Jessica (MS) | Cain | 2019 | Present |
| Brian, Ramos (PhD) | Carleton | 2013 | Present |
| Boland, Kelley (MS) | Lawson | 2021 | Present |
| Boggie, Matthew (PhD) | Cain | 2014 | 2018 |
| Boggie, Matthew (PhD) | Carleton | 2013 | Present |
| Avery, Mindi (MS) | Caldwell | 2008 | 2012 |
| Avendano, Jose (MS) | Bender | 2003 | Present |