Andy Hubbard, Network Program Manager, Director of the Desert Research Learning Center
Primary Network Responsibilities: Overall manager of the Sonoran Desert Network, science protocol lead for wildlife and springs, and the Director of the Desert Research Learning Center. Budget management, workplan establishment, contribution to scientific activities (protocol development, data collection, data analysis, interpretation, and writing).
Active Projects: Climate, Terrestrial Wildlife, Vegetation & Soils
Education and Areas of Expertise
- PhD, Rangeland Ecology and Management, Texas A&M University
- MS, Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona
- BS, Watershed Management, University of Arizona
I joined the Sonoran Desert Network in 2001. Prior to that, I was the plant ecologist for the Cape Cod National Seashore prototype I&M program, a prescribed-burn manager for the State of Texas, and a biotech with the U.S. Geological Survey–Water Resource Division, an USDA Agricultural Research Station, and at Saguaro National Park. My research interests include plant–animal interactions, plant ecophysiology with an emphasis on roots, and disturbance ecology. I've been a Wakonse Teaching Fellow since 1999 and was named NPS I&M Program Manager of the Year for 2010.
Sarah Studd, Vegetation Ecologist
Primary Network Responsibilities: Protocol development, implementation, and project management for vegetation monitoring protocols. Project lead for network vegetation mapping and classification inventories.
Active Projects: Vegetation & Soils, Vegetation Mapping, Invasive Exotic Plants
Education and Areas of Expertise
- MS, Natural Resource Management and Ecology, University of Arizona
- GIS certificate, University of Arizona
- BA, Liberal Arts, St. John's College, Santa Fe, NM
Prior to working for SODN, I was a senior research assistant with the Sonoran Institute for three years, conducting invasive plant mapping at NPS units and researching invasive plant ecology and treatment strategies. My interests include plant community ecology, restoration, fire ecology and plant succession, mapping and cartography, invasive species population dynamics, gardening, and watching live music.
Cheryl McIntyre, Quantitative Ecologist
Primary Network Responsibilities: Data analysis and quantitative support across protocols for the Southwest Network Collaboration.
Active Projects: Vegetation & Soils, Streams, Springs, Terrestrial Wildlife
Education and Areas of Expertise
- PhD, Natural Resources, University of Arizona
- MS, Chemistry, University of Oregon
- BS, Chemistry, University of Portland
From 2004 to 2011, I was an ecologist with the Sonoran Institute in Tucson. While at the Sonoran Institute, I collaborated with numerous I&M networks and worked extensively with SODN. Prior to that, I was briefly a semiconductor process engineer. My interests include biological soil crusts, interactions between plants, soil, and water, cooking, gardening, soccer, and bicycling.
Helen Thomas, Data Manager
Primary Responsibilities: Overseeing the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of the network's data management applications and processes. Project management for the Southwest Network Collaboration data management team.
Education and Areas of Expertise
- PhD, Information Technology, Georgia Tech
- MS, Operations Research, University of Texas
- BS, Decision & Information Sciences, University of Maryland
Before joining the Sonoran Desert Network, I spent more than a decade as data manager for the Northern Colorado Plateau Network. Prior to that, I worked as a consultant, designing, developing, and implementing enterprise information systems. I also previously taught graduate-level courses in database systems. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, biking, camping, and traveling.
Kara Raymond, Hydrologist
Primary Responsibilities: Data collection, management, analysis, and reporting, and providing project support for the Southwest Network Collaboration
Active Projects: Climate, Groundwater, Streams
Education and Areas of Expertise: MS, Water Resources Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; BS, Biological Aspects of Conservation, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Since 2017, I've worked for the Southern Arizona Office providing specialized hydrology and general natural resource support to parks and assisting three I&M networks, including the Sonoran Desert Network. From 2010 to 2014, I was a hydrologic technician with the Sonoran Desert and Southern Plains networks. Additionally, I have experience in the non-profit sector and local government. My current research interests include earthen architecture preservation, climate change adaptation, and biocrust restoration. Outside of work, I enjoy woodworking and other crafting, traveling, and playing board games.
Tani Hubbard, Research Associate
Education and Expertise: MS in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona.
As a Research Associate with the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative (2015–present), I work for the NPS Southwest Network Collaboration on a variety of science, writing, and webmaster tasks. I have more than 25 years of experience in science writing, editing, publishing, ecological research, and teaching in positions with nonprofit organizations, universities, and state and federal government. My interests include science interpretation and education, science accessibility, research, hiking, camping, reading, soccer, and travel.
Jessica McGeverly, Wildlife Protocol Co-Lead and Learning Center Manager
Primary Network Responsibilities: Coordinate Desert Research Learning Center operations and activities, lead wildlife monitoring efforts and animal identifications.
Active Projects: Terrestrial Wildlife, Community Science operations, Learning Center management
Education and Areas of Expertise: BA in Environmental Studies with a Minor in Communications at the University of Arizona.
I have been working under the SODN umbrella for 8 and a half years. I started off assisting with the construction of the Desert Research Learning Center and helping with the wildlife protocol when possible. As time went on, I became Safety Committee Chair, wildlife protocol co-lead and primary caretaker of the Desert Research Learning Center. I love the Sonoran Desert and am proud to be a part of this network. Crafting, gardening, playing Dungeons and Dragons, hiking, camping, and loving my pets are my primary past times.
Elizabeth Schnaubelt, Biological Science Technician
Primary Network Responsibilities: Field crew member for Sonoran Desert Network monitoring protocols.
Active Projects: Terrestrial Wildlife, Vegetation and Soils, Amphibian and Garter Snake Recovery, Streams, Springs
Education and Areas of Expertise: BA, Applied Mathematics and Statistics from Macalester College. Minored in Environmental Studies and Physics.
I began my career with the park service in my home state of California at Yosemite National Park, helping digitize their historic map collection. Following that, I moved to the Wild West to intern with the Southwest Network Collaboration, bouncing between the field and my computer to assist with data collection and reporting. I jumped at the opportunity to stay with the Sonoran Desert Network when my internship concluded, and I've been here since! Outside of work, my hobbies include traveling, painting, card and board games, contra and swing dancing, and—of course!—hiking and camping.
Elora Ormand, Biological Science Technician (Aquatic)
Primary Network Responsibilities: Field crew lead for aquatics monitoring.
Active Projects: Annual springs monitoring in 9 parks of the Sonoran Desert Network; macroinvertebrate streams sampling; Amphibian and Garter Snake Recovery
Education and Areas of Expertise: HBS in Zoology with a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University
I first joined SWNC in the fall of 2022 as a SIP (Scientists in Parks) intern, and was captivated by the beauty of the desert Southwest, a place much different than my home state of Oregon. Before working for the Sonoran Desert Network, I spent a few seasons with the Forest Service in Oregon, first conducting streams monitoring for fish habitat, then assessing populations of endangered spotted owls using bioacoustic recorders, and trapping small mammals to evaluate food availability for spotted owls. I also spent a season working in Yosemite National Park on the fisher field crew, tracking and trapping the endangered population of Southern Sierra Nevada fisher. Outside of work, I like to spend my time outside; hiking, backpacking, climbing, paddleboarding, biking, and exploring new National Parks!
Adam Pingatore, Vegetation Field Crew Lead
Primary Network Responsibilities: Lead a crew in the collection of plants, biological soil crusts, and soil stability data at long-term vegetation monitoring plots. Lead the mapping and monitoring of invasive plants to help rapidly respond to noxious weeds. Lead riparian vegetation monitoring efforts to track stream system health.
Active Projects: Vegetation & Soils, Invasive Exotic Plants, Streams
Education and Areas of Expertise: BS, Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution. Minored in Geospatial Information Systems and Technology.
I began working with the Sonoran Desert Network as the vegetation field crew lead in 2024. Prior to that, I worked with the Chihuhaun Desert Network for two adventerous years in west Texas and southern New Mexico, lived on the Zuni Reservation monitoring rangeland health, chased Northern Goshawks throughout the northern Sierra Nevada mountains, and volunteered in the UCLA herbarium. Outside of work, I love playing guitar, watching basketball (go Warriors!), listening to marching bands (go Bruins!), birding (go Accipiters!), and eating burritos (go Asada!).
Last updated: May 7, 2025