STAFF
The Idaho Wolf Project is supervised by Dr. David Ausband. The project employs year-round research scientists as well as graduate students and field technicians. Our field staff and graduate students are invaluable. Without their hard work and dedication, our project would not be possible.
Meet the Team
Assistant Unit Leader, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Email: dausband@uidaho.edu
Ph.D., University of Montana, Fish and Wildlife Biology, 2011-2015
M.S., University of Montana, Wildlife Biology, 2003-2005
B.S., University of Montana, Wildlife Biology, 2003
Dr. David Ausband
Dr. David Ausband is a U.S. Geological Survey wildlife research biologist. He started the Idaho wolf research project in 2006. Dave is the Assistant Unit Leader at the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and is a faculty member at the University of Idaho where he supervises graduate students and teaches two graduate courses in wildlife science. Dave is also affiliate/adjunct faculty at the University of Montana and Washington State University.
The Ausband Lab
The Ausband Lab is comprised largely of distinguished students pursuing their Master’s and Doctorate degrees in wildlife studies. This lab is part of the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in the College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. Dr. Ausband also has students working on topics unrelated to the wolf project ranging from modeling snow cover to grizzly bear, black bear, and caribou conservation.
We also want to extend a sincere thanks to Jessica Bylin who worked on the Idaho wolf project as a technician and designed our beautiful website.
Tyler Bostwick, M.Sc.
Tyler is the research specialist on the Idaho wolf project. She began in 2026. She is responsible for supervising field crews as well as genetic laboratory analyses outside of the field season. She previously earned her M.Sc. studying ocelots at Texas A&M University, Kingsville
Wolf Project Graduate Students
Current graduate students of the Ausband Lab affiliated with the Idaho Wolf Project.
Jade Cornaby
Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho
M.Sc. Thesis title: Coming soon!
Koryna Boudinot
Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho
Ph.D. Dissertation title: The dynamics of group stability in cooperatively breeding species
Former graduate students affiliated with the Idaho Wolf Project.
Former MSc student
Heather Clendenin
Currently: PhD candidate, University of Memphis
M.Sc., Thesis title: Monitoring wolf packs by counting litters: sibling reconstruction, from genetics to genomics. University of Idaho, 2019
Former MSc student and post-doc research scientist
Dr. Sarah B. Bassing
Currently: Faculty at Montana State University
M.Sc., Thesis title: Harvest and persistence of wolf populations: variable effects of harvest on wolf packs in the Rocky Mountains. University of Montana, 2018
Former MSc student
Dr. Jennifer Stenglein
Currently: Quantitative Wildlife Research Scientist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
M.Sc., Thesis title: Evaluating the potential of noninvasive genetic sampling for monitoring gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Idaho. University of Idaho, 2009
Former MSc student and research specialist
Peter Rebholz
Currently: Alaska Game and Fish Department. Peter was a research specialist who helped lead the Idaho wolf project from 2022-2026. Peter provided many of the beautiful photos on this website.
M.Sc., Thesis title: Linking age and social status of cooperative breeders to vulnerability throughout the harvest season, University of Idaho, 2022
Former MSc Student
Carisa Stansbury
Currently: University of Wyoming
M.Sc., Thesis title: Monitoring gray wolves (Canis lupus) using noninvasive genetic sampling at rendezvous sites, University of Idaho, 2012
Former MSc student
Kat Petersen
Currently: University of Montana, PhD student
M.Sc., Thesis title: Deciphering dispersal dynamics of a cooperatively breeding carnivore: investigating the impacts of harvest on dispersal of Idaho wolves, University of Idaho, 2025
Former Phd student
Dr. Ariana Cerreta
Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho
Currently: Post-doc, Texas A & M University, Kingsville
Ph.D. Dissertation title: From genes to behavior: Using genetic and genomic techniques to inform management and study adaptation in a cooperatively breeding carnivore. April 2026
Graduate Students
Graduate students of the Ausband Lab unaffiliated with the Idaho Wolf Project.
MSc Student (former)
Brianna Lubenau
Currently: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
MSc thesis title: Effects of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance on the persistence of southern mountain caribou, Coadvised with Dr. Matt Falcy.
MSc Student (Current)
Nate Rice
Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho
M.Sc., Thesis Title: Habitat Selection, Connectivity, and Translocations of Inland Continental Grizzly Bears
MSc Student (former)
Kaitlyn Strickfaden
Currently: Ph.D. student, University of Montana, Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit.
M.Sc., Thesis title: Novel methods for deriving snow depth from remote cameras and application to wildlife habitat and ungulate management, University of Idaho, 2022. Coadvised with Dr. Tim Link.
MSc Student (former)
Matt Nelson
Currently: Ph.D. student, Michigan State University, Boone and Crockett Fellow
M.Sc., Thesis title: Bears, Berries, Bearings on the Landscape, University of Idaho, 2022