Luke Nolby wins the Distinguished Student Award for Fall 2011

This award recognizes one student per semester who has made significant contributions to the on-going research at the Center for Wildlife Management Studies.  Student's directed research paper, oral presentations, approach to the research project, and skill in working with people are all considered in this award.

Hometown: Andover, MN

Major:  Biology

Research Summary in Kenya:  There are many attempts in developing countries rich in biodiversity to find ways to better both the lives of local people and conserve ecosystems and wildlife.  An example of this in southern Kenya are wildlife sanctuaries, community-operated areas right outside the boundaries of Amboseli National Park that serve as dispersal areas for much of the wildlife.  My research group assessed the suitability of these areas through their usage by wildlife.

Post-Graduate plans:  Take time to travel and experience more of the world and its amazing ecosystems and wildlife, and then likely go to grad school in an ecology-related field.  Do research on large mammalian carnivores, particularly large cats, related to ecosystem conservation. 

Elephants in Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

Luke walking a transect with Grant's Gazelle, Kenya.