Michael V. Cove​

Professional info​

I'm currently working on several projects that integrate noninvasive surveys and hierarchical models to examine community dynamics in an era characterized by global change. We assess management and recovery strategies for rare and endangered species, but also common and exotic species. These taxa of interest include the Baird's tapir, the endemic small mammals of the Florida Keys, feral and free-ranging cats and dogs, and mesopredators.

Relevant experience​

2020 – Present: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: Raleigh, NC

Research Curator of Mammalogy: 

• Managed and oversaw all aspects of the Mammalogy unit – collection expansion and accessibility, research, and collaborations

• Used museum collections and other global camera trap databases and hierarchical models for integrated species distribution, spatial capture-recapture, and occupancy modeling research 

• Supervised staff and undergraduate interns in all aspects of collection management, fieldwork, data collection, data management, data processing, and independent studies 

2018 – 2020: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute: Front Royal, VA

Smithsonian Fellow: 

• Used eMammal global camera trap database and hierarchical models for integrated species distribution, spatial capture-recapture, and species occupancy modeling research 

• Established and oversaw Snapshot USA, D.C. Wildlife Survey and Cat Count, and Crocodile Lake Inventory and Monitoring camera trap projects

• Supervised field staff and undergraduate interns in all aspects of fieldwork, data collection, data management, data processing, and independent studies

2016, 2018: Organization for Tropical Studies: La Selva, Costa Rica

Research Mentor: 

• Developed and implemented two research projects examining the landscape of fear and human shield hypotheses related to overabundant collared peccaries at La Selva Biological Station

• Recruited and mentored two undergraduate researchers to initiate and complete projects

• Led an occupancy modeling workshop for all program participants

• Taught students critical concepts in study design, analyses and interpretation of ecological data

2016 – 2018: North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC

Postdoctoral Fellow: 

• Assessed the population size, demographics, and threats to the endangered Key Largo woodrat and cotton mouse for the US Fish and Wildlife Service 5-year review

• Collected and analyzed genetic data to assess the effects of lingering environmental changes on the population structure of the endangered small mammals

• Collected and prepared black rat specimens from Key Largo for the NCMNS Mammalogy collection to examine parasites and reproductive potential of these exotic rodents

• Supervised field staff and undergraduate interns in all aspects of fieldwork, data collection, data management, and mammal collection specimen preparation.

• Used GIS and modeling software for habitat suitability assessments, spatial capture-recapture, and species occupancy modeling research 

2012 – 2016: North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC

Research Assistant/PhD Candidate:

• Participated as a Preparing the Professoriate Fellow in which I developed my own curriculum for an honors Tropical Ecology course

• Conducted camera trap surveys for endangered small mammals and their predators in the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex, Florida

• Supervised field staff and undergraduate interns in all aspects of fieldwork, data collection, data management, and data processing

• Used GIS and modeling software for habitat suitability assessments, capture-recapture, and species occupancy modeling research 

Education

North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC): PhD in Zoology

​2012 - 2016

Dissertation: On the recovery of the endangered small mammals of the Florida Keys: evaluating exotic predator management and habitat restoration LINK
Adviser(s): Dr. Ted Simons & Dr. Beth Gardner

University of Central Missouri (Warrensburg, MO): MS in Biology

​2008 - 2011

Thesis: Occupancy modeling of medium and large mammal diversity in a Central American biological corridor PDF
Adviser(s): Dr. Vicki Jackson & Dr. Manuel Spínola

University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT): BS in Animal Science

2003 - 2007

Minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Adviser(s): Dr. Sheila Andrew