Dr. Katie Haase, PhD, Assistant Professor

Dr. Haase received her B.S. in Wildlife from Unity College in Maine, her M.S. in Conservation Biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida. Dr. Haase did her post-doctoral research at Montana State University studying the energetics of white-nose syndrome in western bat species. Outside of research and teaching, Dr. Haase enjoys hiking, kayaking, ice cream, R code, and awkward mammals. [​CV; last updated 4/12/22]

Sarah Zirkle, MS, Mammal Project Coordinator

Sarah received her B.S. degree in Wildlife Science from Tennessee Technological University and her M.S. degree in Biology from Austin Peay. Sarah's MS thesis focused on habitat selection of the tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus). Sarah now coordinates the Fort Campbell Bat Project and is working on multiple studies revolving around bat conservation in Tennessee. 

Sarah Krueger, MS, Wildlife Research Ecologist

​Sarah received her B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries with minors in Forestry and International Agriculture and Natural Resources from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and her M.S. in Biology from Austin Peay. Sarah's MS thesis focused on the impacts of local climate and disease on reproductive female bats. She is continuing this work in the lab, working on a study focusing on the impacts of disease on juvenile bats. [Sarah's website]

Leah Crowley, Masters Student

Leah received her B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences with a concentration in Wildlife Health from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she completed undergraduate research studying microplastics concentrations in endangered little brown bats. Leah’s lifelong love of the outdoors, wildlife, and nature, as well as her experiences with field work and research, led her to pursue a Masters in Biology in the Haase Lab, where she studies hibernation ecology and behavior of tri-colored bats. 

Brandon Gulley, Masters Student

Brandon received his B.S. in Biology from Austin Peay State University. As an undergraduate, he worked as a research assistant in the Peruvian Amazon where he gained experience handling several mammal species including primates and bats. Originally planning on pursuing medicine, he switched paths after he discovered a passion for conservation and research and has decided to continue that journey as a graduate student in the Haase Lab. 

Dakota Van Parys, Wildlife Field Technician

Dakota is currently an undergraduate student in the department of biology. Originally pursuing a career in health care, Dakota rediscovered his love for wildlife and decided to pursue a career in wildlife management and conservation. As an undergraduate so far, Dakota has taken part in behavioral research in Dr. Benowitz' lab. He is now working in Dr. Haase's lab, helping with bat netting and tracking, as well as establishing a long-term small-mammal research site in a recently restored grassland.

Jessica Verrillo, Wildlife Field Technician

Jessica received her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies from Austin Peay State University. As an undergraduate, she took part in microbial and behavioral research on burying beetles in Dr. Kyle Benowitz' lab. Jessica has always had a passion for wildlife and the outdoors and plans to pursue a career in wildlife management, conservation, and rehabilitation. She will be working with the Fort Campbell Bat Project in the Haase Lab to help with bat netting and tracking. ​

Brylea Abed, Undergraduate Student

Brylea is an undergraduate student in the Department of Biology and is a scholarship worker in the lab. She spends her time weighing macroinvertebrates and entering in data for the bat project!

Lab Alumni

Trevor Walker, M.S. 2022
Trevor's research focused on linking bat species diversity to stream health with aquatic insects. He is now a wildlife technician with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Harrison Rogers, B.S. 2022
Harrison worked as a lab technician  identifying aquatic insects for the Fort Campbell Bat Project.
Matthew Scott, B.S. 2022
Matthew worked as a lab technician identifying aquatic insects for the Fort Campbell Bat Project. He is now a M.S. student in Conservation Biology program at University of West Alabama.
Jonathan Crockarell, B.S. student
Jonathan received a UREF award to study the impact of military operations on bat richness. Jonathan is finishing up his degree at Austin Peay.
Nicholas Deans, Wildlife Technician
Nick was a wildlife technician with the Fort Campbell Bat Project and is finishing up his degree at Murray State University.
Interested in becoming a part of our lab? Please see the Prospective Students page for more information.