• Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Associate, University of Massachusetts Amherst / US Forest Service Northern Research Station
• PhD, Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• MS, Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• BS, Program in the Environment; Minor in Biology, University of Michigan

I believe teaching students and setting them on a rewarding path to solve ecological and conservation problems is extremely important and has cascading effects. As an educator, I strive to broaden students’ understanding of the given material being taught, help them develop critical thinking skills, and assist them in applying their skills in future roles as natural resource professionals. In addition, I aspire to help students develop the practical expertise needed to problem-solve real-world conservation and ecological issues. With a strong foundation of quantitative, writing, presentation, and natural resource skills, students can go on to teach their own peers and become leaders in environmental and conservation professions throughout the world.

In terms of my approach to teaching and mentoring, I believe it is important to incorporate a number of key components into my classes and interactions with students. First, I strive to create applied, hands-on classwork, which helps students become more excited about the material and allows them to better understand how it applies in actual real-world circumstances. Because students come from a variety of backgrounds and often learn course material in different ways, I aspire to provide a variety of learning experiences. Course activities can include active participation and discussions among students, team-based as well as individual-based assignments, short lectures, student presentations, and hands-on laboratory and field exercises.

Another important aspect of my teaching philosophy is to constantly evaluate how I am doing as an educator, with the goal of improving not only my own practice, but also student learning. I work to set concrete goals and learning objectives for students, for individual classes and projects, as well as throughout a given course. Through questions, discussions, and assignments, I can then evaluate if students are achieving these goals and learning objectives.

It is also important to me that I maintain an inclusive classroom environment at all times and encourage students to look at environmental issues from a variety of viewpoints. I understand students often have inherently different environmental values, beliefs, and considerations, and I convey to students that these differences expand and enhance discussions about environmental topics, rather than subtracting from them.

I believe we can all have an impact on conservation, management, and policy with dedicated work, and my ultimate teaching and mentoring goal is to convey to students that they too can elicit real change in the world around us.

Effects of shrubland and early-successional forest management on wildlife

Shrublands, early-successional habitats, and young forests, and wildlife dependent on these habitats, have recently been declining in the eastern United States. One such habitat is pitch pine-scrub oak (PPSO) barrens, which are globally threatened and dependent on fire or other management practices. With collaborators and students, I have examined management effects on a wide variety of wildlife species, such as birds, snakes, amphibians, ants, moths, and bees. In the past few years, projects on species such as eastern whip-poor-wills and tree frogs have incorporated new monitoring technology using Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) to efficiently conduct acoustic surveys and examine land use-species relationships. Overall, I am proud and excited that our research efforts and novel work is directly impacting and supporting the management planning of pine barrens, shrublands, and other open-canopy areas in the northeast and throughout North America.

Conservation and ecology of migratory and resident birds in the Caribbean

Basic knowledge of natural history, wildlife-habitat relationships, effects of climate change, and even species taxonomy, are infrequently studied and relatively unknown for many species in the tropics, despite high biodiversity in tropical regions and extensive threats to species conservation. I have been extensively studying both threatened resident and migratory birds in the Caribbean. Research topics include the impact of climate change (e.g., droughts, hurricanes) on migratory and resident birds, and the ecology and distribution of endangered avian species (e.g., Kirtland’s warbler, whistling warbler, West Indian woodpecker). The Caribbean work is very collaborative with Caribbean national agencies and nonprofit conservation organizations (St. Vincent Department of Forestry, Bahamas National Trust, BirdsCaribbean), to provide knowledge for on-the-ground conservation planning while incorporating educational and capacity building opportunities for Caribbean conservationists.

Examining full annual cycles of migratory birds

            Migratory birds are dependent on habitat in different locations throughout their life cycles, and there is a growing acknowledgement that more research is needed outside of the breeding season to effectively manage for and conserve migratory populations. For my PhD dissertation, I conducted extensive work examining seasonal carry-over effects in prairie warblers, using stable isotope analysis in collaboration with the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. I have continued working on this prairie warbler project, collaborating with researchers at the Albany Pine Bush and the National Audubon Society to examine migratory routes and connectivity using geolocators. With NH Audubon and other partners, I have also assisted with a large-scale project tagging and tracking migratory wood thrush. Our research is helping managers better understand the ecology of migratory birds throughout their entire lifecycle, and how processes such as habitat degradation and climate change influence avian populations.

Natural history, evolution, ecology, and community science

I am also interested in natural history, evolution, and ecology, and have been collaborating with other researchers in studying bird song, male quality, female selection, and nest structure, composition, and insulation. I also have been involved in some projects using community science. Working with USGS, I conducted statistical analyses to examine biodiversity and invasive species in U.S. National Parks, using data collected with the iNaturalist platform during a year-long Bioblitz. I am also working with the USFS and the Smithsonian’s Neighborhood Nestwatch, which is a project in which volunteers study backyard birds and find and monitor nests along an urban to rural gradient. Community science is a great way to obtain large, novel datasets while conducting outreach and educating society about science and conservation.

34. Katzer, A., E. E. Boydston, M. E. Akresh, K. Cooper, J. Briggs, V. Barve, L. Lee, and T. L. Morelli. 2025. Biodiversity on public lands: How citizen science can help. Conservation Science and Practice.

33. Loehle C., D. A. Miller, A. I. Kovach, A. Larsen-Gray, M. E. Akresh, J. E. McDonald, A. E. Cheeseman, D. King, S. M. Petzinger, and J. Kanter. 2024. Forest management is key for conserving biodiversity and providing ecosystem services in the United States. Forests 15:2087.

32. Gordon, A. B., Jr., D. Drummey, A. Tur, A. E. Curtis, J. C. McCumber, M. E. Akresh, and G. V. DiRenzo. 2024. Long-term monitoring reveals management effects on prairie warbler colonization, local extinction, and detection in a Massachusetts pine barren. Northeastern Naturalist 31:418-434.

31. Akresh, M. E., D. Mandell, P. P. Grima, D. I. King, K. Lauer. 2024. Niche partitioning of materials in avian nests within a single ecological community. Ecology and Evolution 14:e70142.

30. Wunderle, J. M., Jr., M. E. Akresh, D. Currie, J. E. Mercado, E. H. Helmer, D. N. Ewert. 2024. Factors influencing home range size and overlap in nonbreeding Kirtland’s Warblers on Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Avian Conservation and Ecology 19:9.

29. Larkin, J. T., D. J. McNeil, L. Chronister, M. E. Akresh, E. Cohen, A. W. D’Amato, C. J. Fiss, J. Kitzes, J. L. Larkin, H. A. Parker, D. I. King. 2024. A large-scale assessment of eastern whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) occupancy across a gradient of forest management intensity using autonomous recording units. Journal of Environmental Management 366:121786.

28. Akresh, M. E., S. L. McInvale, and D. I. King. 2024. A meta-analysis of edge effects on nesting success in forest and shrubland birds of Eastern North America. Journal of Field Ornithology 95:12.

27. King, D. I., M. E. Akresh, D. A. B. Murillo, R. E. Bennett, and R. B. Chandler. 2023. Habitat associations of Golden-winged Warbler and Blue-winged Warblers during the non-breeding season. Avian Conservation and Ecology 18:4.

26. Akresh, M. E., D. I. King, S. L. McInvale, J. L. Larkin, and A. W. DAmato. 2023. Effects of forest management on the conservation of bird communities in eastern North America: A meta-analysis. Ecosphere 14:e4315.

25. T. D. Meehan, S. P. Saunders, W. V. DeLuca, N. L. Michel, J. Grand, …M.E. Akresh,.…and C. B. Wilsey. 2022. Data integration to estimate spatial patterns of avian migration across the Western Hemisphere. Ecological Applications 32:e2679.

24. Akresh, M. E., S. Lamonde, L. Stokes, C. M. Kent, F. Kahoun, and J. M. Clarke Storr. 2022. A review of wood warbler (Parulidae) predation of vertebrates and descriptions of three new observations. Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 35:29-39.

23. Akresh, M. E., E. D. Meeker, and D. I. King. 2022. Observations of snakes and game birds in a managed pine barren in Massachusetts. Northeastern Naturalist 29:11-27.

22. Campbell, S. P., *M. E. Akresh, *King, D. I., and N. Gifford. 2021. Effects of light-level geolocators on return rates and inter-annual territory fidelity of prairie warblers *Setophaga discolor*. Bird Study
68:396-407.

21. Lott, C. A., M. E. Akresh, B. E. Costanzo, A. W. D’Amato, S. Duan, C. J. Fiss, J. S. Fraser, H. S. He, D. I. King, D. J. McNeil, S. H. Stoleson, M. Yamasaki, and J. L. Larkin. 2021. Do review papers on bird-vegetation relationships provide actionable information to forest managers in the eastern United States? Forests 12:990.

20. Akresh, M. E., D. I. King, and P. P. Marra. 2021. Hatching date influences winter habitat occupancy: examining seasonal interactions across the full life cycle in a migratory songbird. Ecology and Evolution 11:9241-9253.

19. Akresh, M. E., D. I. King, C. A. Lott, J. L. Larkin, A. W. D’Amato. 2021. A meta-analysis of the effects of tree retention on shrubland birds. Forest Ecology and Management 483:118730.

18. Akresh, M. E., R. A. Askins, D. I. King, F. E. Hayes, P. E. Barry, and W. K. Hayes. 2021. Resilience in the Aftermath of Hurricanes: Fluctuations in a Critically Endangered Population of West Indian Woodpeckers (Melanerpes superciliaris nyeanus) over Two Decades. Bird Conservation International 31:185-205.

17. Askins, R. A., M. E. Akresh, and W. K. Hayes. 2020. West Indian Woodpecker (Melanerpes superciliaris), version 2.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg and B. K. Keeney, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA.

16. Byers, B. E., M. E. Akresh, and D. I. King. 2020. Song learning by prairie warblers: when, where, and from whom. Ethology 126:1079-1088.

15. Lott, C. A., M. E. Akresh, A. J. Elmore, C. J. Fiss, M. C. Fitzpatrick, D. I. King, D. J. McNeil, and J. L. Larkin. 2019. What is the evidence for bird species-environment relationships in temperate deciduous forests of eastern North America? A systematic map protocol. Environmental Evidence 8:31.

14. Akresh, M. E., D. I. King, and P. P. Marra. 2019. Rainfall and habitat interact to affect the condition of a wintering migratory songbird. Ecology and Evolution 9:8042-8061.

13. Akresh, M. E., D. I. King, and P. P. Marra. 2019. Examining carry-over effects of winter habitat on breeding phenology and reproductive success in prairie warblers (Setophaga discolor). Journal of Avian Biology 50. doi: 10.1111/jav.02025

12. Akresh, M. E., D. I. King, B. C. Timm, and R. T. Brooks. 2017. Fuels management and habitat restoration activities benefit Eastern Hognose Snakes (Heterodon platirhinos) in a disturbance-dependent ecosystem. Journal of Herpetology 51:468-476.

11. Akresh, M. E., D. R. Ardia, and D. I. King. 2017. Effect of nest characteristics on thermal properties, clutch size, and reproductive performance for an open-cup nesting songbird. Avian Biology Research 10:107-118.

10. Byers, B. E., M. E. Akresh, and D. I. King. 2016. Song and male quality in prairie warblers. Ethology 122:660-670.

9. Akresh, M. E., and D. I. King. 2016. Eastern whip-poor-will breeding ecology in relation to habitat management in a pitch pine-scrub oak barren. Wildlife Society Bulletin 40:97-105.

8. Akresh, M. E., and D. I. King. 2015. Observations of new bird species for San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Caribbean Naturalist 26:1-10.

7. Byers, B. E., M. E. Akresh, and D. I. King. 2015. A proxy of social mate choice in prairie warblers is correlated with consistent, rapid, low-pitched singing. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 69:1275-1286.

6. Akresh, M. E., D. I. King, and R. T. Brooks. 2015. Demographic response of a shrubland bird to habitat creation, succession, and disturbance in a dynamic landscape. Forest Ecology and Management 336:72-80.

5. Jones, T. M., M. E. Akresh, and D. I. King. 2013. Recent sightings of Kirtland’s Warblers on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 125:637-642.

4. Byers, B. E., B. A. Kramer, M. E. Akresh, and D. I. King. 2013. Interspecific song imitation by a Prairie Warbler. Journal of Field Ornithology 84:181-186.

3. Riba-Hernandez, L., M. E. Akresh, W. Hernandez, and D. Martinez. 2012. A nocturnal flight record of Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) and Turkey Vultures (Cathartes Aura) during fall migration in Costa Rica. Journal of Raptor Research 46:234-235.

2. King, D. I., S. Schlossberg, R. T. Brooks, and M. E. Akresh. 2011. Effects of fuel reduction on birds in pitch pine–scrub oak barrens of the United States. Forest Ecology and Management 261:10-18.

1. Akresh, M. E., K. Dinse, J. Foufopoulos, S. C. Schubel, and T. Kowalczyk. 2009. Passerine breeding and post-fledgling habitat use in riparian and upland temperate forests of the American Midwest. The Condor 111:756-762.

• Co-Director, The Institute for International Conservation
• Journal Referee for Forest Ecology and Management (6x), Journal of Field Ornithology (6x), Ecology and Evolution (5x), Ornithological Applications (5x), Northeastern Naturalist (3x), Avian Research (3x), Wilson Journal of Ornithology (3x), Austral Ecology (2x), Journal of Thermal Biology (2x), Ecological Indicators (2x), Journal of Wildlife Management (2x), PLoS ONE (2x), Journal of Zoology, Urban Naturalist, Urban Ecosystems, Annales Zoologici Fennici, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, PeerJ, Journal of Environmental Management, Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, Northern Hardwoods Conference Proceedings, Canadian Field-Naturalist, Journal of Animal Ecology, Bird Conservation International, Ornithology
• Director of the Conservation Biology Concentration
• Director of the ES Field Study Trips
• Co-Chair of the Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation Team Non-breeding Range Subcommittee

Classes taught or teaching at Antioch University New England:

• Dissertation Seminar (ES 7760)
• Research Strategy I: Theory, Method, and Design - Quantitative (ES 7270-A)
• Conservation Biology (ESS 5630)
• Geographic Information Systems: Applied GIS (ES 6105)
• Environmental Data Analysis / Biostatistics (ES 5190)
• Advanced Statistics and Data Management (ES 5210A)
• Dissertation Proposal Seminar (ES 7740-A)
• Vertebrate Ecology: Ornithology (ES 5150)
• Candidacy Preparation and Service Learning (ES 7360)
• Natural Resources Inventory: Wildlife (ES 5620)
• Ecology and Conservation in The Bahamas (ES 5702A)