GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit announced that Abby Powell will join as Unit Leader and will be a contributing graduate faculty member for University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Powell will further address the natural resource challenges in the State of Florida with her significant experience in Cooperative Research Units and principal research interests in avian ecology, coastal systems and endangered species.Powell will coordinate with the UF/IFAS and the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation to administer wildlife and fishery research grants, and will respond to the research and training needs of graduate students.
Powell’s appointment will “complement and expand [Florida Cooperative’s] capabilities, as well as maintain the synergistic relationship the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation has with them,” says Eric Hellgren, Professor and Chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
As unit leader of the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Powell will manage the unit’s scientific and administrative operations. Powell said this includes building new partnerships with state, federal, and other conservation agencies and groups.
Mike Allen, associate director of the UF/IFAS Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, said he sees opportunities as Powell comes aboard.
“The Florida Co-op Unit has been an excellent mechanism for collaboration between fisheries and wildlife scientists in IFAS,” Allen said. “Abby Powell’s research experience addressing marine bird populations should provide an excellent opportunity to further those efforts and develop innovative research for aquatic systems.”
“Powell is well-positioned to lead Florida Cooperative to solve population, community and ecosystem issues, both natural and those impacted by human activities,” said Jack Payne, UF senior vice president of agriculture and natural resources
Powell starts her new position Sept. 6.
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By: Tiffani Stephenson, 352-273-3569, tsteph220@ufl.edu
Sources: Mike Allen, 352-273-3624
Eric Hellgren, 352-846-0552
Jack Payne, 352-392-1971
Abby Powell, 907-474-5505
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