04/23/2026
The Bernard Lab has been super busy over the last few weeks sharing about the research happening within the lab! 🦇
The lab went to the Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society annual conference where we had 5 oral presentations and 2 posters. Samantha Killmer also left with an award for best undergraduate presentation! We also presented our research at the Wyoming Bat Working Group (WYBWG) meeting at the conference and Dr. Riley Bernard was elected as chair for the next year.
Some members of the lab presented at the Wyoming INBRE Spring Research Conference and Undergraduate Research Day just a week later, where we had 2 oral presentations and 2 posters.
Everyone did a great job! Now.. on to field season!
Here is a list on the titles of presentations and posters presented:
Lucy Williams - WYBWG
"NABat Update Wyoming: 2024 & 2025"
Julia Yearout: Update on masters research to WYBWG and presented at TWS:
"Genetic Connectivity as a Tool for Proactive Management of Townsend's Big-eared Bats in Wyoming"
Ashley Hammer - TWS:
"Superfun(d) Bats: Investigating Heavy Metal Contaminant Exposure on Abandoned Mine Lands in the Black Hills, South Dakota"
Morgan Anderson - TWS:
"Tracking Microbats via Drone Assisted Radio Telemetry"
Dr. Riley Bernard - Update on lab research at WYBWG and (on behalf of Renee Lile) at TWS: " Bats as Habitat: Exploring parasites of bats in Black Hills, South Dakota"
& INBRE: "Examination of Pseudogemnoascus Destructans viability at seasonal bat roosts"
Melissa Moreno: WYBWG and TWS:
"Bridging the Gap: Understanding the Ecology & Behavior of Bridge Roosting Bats throughout Wyoming"
Samantha Killmer - WYBWG, TWS, and Undergraduate Research Day:
"Investigating the efficacy & accuracy of AI software in determining bat use & activity at cave roosts in Wyoming"
Riley Heindl - WYBWG, TWS, and Undergraduate Research Day:
"Hoary Bat Habitat Selection in Wyoming During Fall Migration"
Braden Mays - INBRE:
Riley Heindl - WYBWG, TWS, and Undergrad Research Day: Greater Wyoming"
