Andy Hubbard, Program Manager
Primary Network Responsibilities: Overall manager of the Sonoran Desert Network program. Budget management, workplan establishment, contribution to scientific activities (protocol development, 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
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 areas of interest include biological soil crusts, erosion modeling, cooking, soccer, sailing, 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.
Sage Ragland, Biological Science Technician
Primary Network Responsibilities: Field crew lead, Terrestrial Vegetation and Soils
Active Projects: Vegetation and Soils, Invasive Exotic Plants
Education and Areas of Expertise
I began working with the National Park Service as a volunteer with the Grand Canyon National Park Native Plant Nursery in 2015. Since then I’ve served two full terms with the Americorps Conservation Corps, working on exotic plant management, habitat restoration, vegetation monitoring, and vegetation mapping projects. I also have experience with botanical-garden plant nurseries. In my spare time I enjoy backpacking, climbing, biking, gardening, and otherwise appreciating the desert southwest.
Joe Black, Biological Science Technician
Primary Network Responsibilities: Field crew member, terrestrial vegetation and soils monitoring; assisting with vegetation mapping projects.
Active Projects: Vegetation and soils, vegetation mapping, invasive exotic plants
Education and Areas of Expertise
- BS, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona
- GIS Certificate, University of Arizona
I joined the Sonoran Desert Network in 2019 as a member of the vegetation and soils monitoring crew. More recently, I have taken on a role assisting in the completion of vegetation maps for Chiricahua and Organ Pipe Cactus national monuments. My research interests include Sonoran Desert floristics, plant community ecology, fire ecology, mapping and cartography, and plant biogeography. When not in the field or the office, I spend my time gardening, hiking, cycling, or otherwise enjoying nature and the outdoors.
Brandon Gottung, Biological Science Technician
Primary Responsibilities: Data collection for multiple protocols across Southwest Network Collaboration parks.
Active Projects: Vegetation and soils, invasive exotic plants, springs, big rivers
Education and Experience
- BS, Russian Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- BS, Microbiology and Botany, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Fulbright Scholar, Republic of Georgia
Brandon has previous I&M experience with the Central Alaska, Rocky Mountain, Northern Colorado Plateau, and Chihuahuan Desert networks.
Jessica McGarey, Biological Science Technician
Primary Network Responsibilities: Support for Desert Research Learning Center operations and activities, wildlife monitoring crew member.
Active Projects: Terrestrial Wildlife, citizen science, science communication
Education and Areas of Expertise
- BA, Environmental Studies, University of Arizona
While studying at the University of Arizona, I co-founded a club that helped develop the grounds at the Desert Research Learning Center, and was involved with its citizen science program. I also helped care for and create outdoor enclosures for the endangered masked bobwhite quail at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. Shortly after graduation, I started work full-time with the Sonoran Desert Network. I have volunteered at pet shelters and animal hospitals for years, and in my spare time I hike, camp, work on my podcast, make candles, and paint.
Last updated: September 22, 2023