
Meet the
Smith Fellows
Since its inception in 1999, the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program has supported more than 120 early-career scientists from around the world. These fellows have gone on to make significant contributions to the field of conservation science.
Current Fellows
All Fellows
Browse by Class
- Class of 1999 7
- Class of 2000 5
- Class of 2001 5
- Class of 2002 6
- Class of 2003 6
- Class of 2004 5
- Class of 2006 4
- Class of 2007 4
- Class of 2008 4
- Class of 2009 4
- Class of 2010 4
- Class of 2011 4
- Class of 2012 4
- Class of 2013 4
- Class of 2014 4
- Class of 2015 5
- Class of 2016 5
- Class of 2017 5
- Class of 2018 5
- Class of 2019 5
- Class of 2020 5
- Class of 2021 5
- Class of 2022 5
- Class of 2023 5
- Class of 2024 5
- Class of 2025 5
Vaughn Shirey
Towards a Novel Integrative Framework for Rapid Conservation Assessments of Insect Decline in the Anthropocene
Caroline Kisielinski
Reconstructing Lahontan cutthroat trout population history to inform future management strategies in Summit Lake, NV
Amber Datta
Pathways to power: supporting Indigenous peoples and local communities to achieve local and global conservation goals
Michelle María Early Capistrán
Going coastal: Integrating diverse knowledge sources to generate species distribution models for endangered green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Melissa Cronin
Conservation and Food Security Implications of Large- and Small-Scale Fisheries Interactions
Rebecca Gooley
Is rat poison raptor poison? Investigating the sublethal effects of anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in burrowing owls and golden eagles.
Ezra Kottler
Restoration genomics of endangered vernal pool annuals: sourcing seeds through space and time to maximize adaptive variation
Ann Marie Gawel
Ecology, conservation, and recovery of endangered Pacific Island land snails
Rachel Scarlett
Social Equity and Freshwater Conservation: A Case Study of the Chicago Region
Maia Raymundo
Loss of a key frugivore disperser: assessing effects on ecosystem structure and identifying priority areas for restoration
Israel Borokini
Conservation prioritization of the United States flora using metrics of phylodiversity, land management, and vulnerability to climate change
Miranda Bernard
Justice and equity in marine protected areas: understanding the differential impacts of marine threats and management actions within coastal communities
Kennan Oyen
Predicting continental-scale impacts of winter ticks using environment, host, and ectoparasite traits to mitigate declines of North American moose.
Desirée Narango
Investigating multi-trophic linkages between plants, insects and migratory birds to inform effective forest habitat management and restoration strategies
Christopher Nadeau
Is Genetic Management Critical to the Success of Climate Change Adaptation or a Costly Distraction?
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao
Advancing migratory shorebird conservation through transboundary governance

“The Smith Fellowship was both an incredible experience at the time, providing excellent research support, training, and professional development opportunities, and an amazing network to be a part of in the decades that have followed!”
Building a network of change makers
Smith fellows have made significant contributions to the field of conservation science, including developing innovative solutions to critical conservation challenges, publishing groundbreaking research, and informing conservation policy and practice. Learn more about joining the program today!