Carson Lillard: Life of a Biologist

Carson Lillard is a biologist based in Washington, United States. Connect with Carson on Instagram @lilsneakysnake and her photography website www.carsonlillard.darkroom.tech

I obtained my BSc from the University of Tennessee in wildlife and fisheries sciences. While obtaining my BSc I spent time in Yosemite National Park studying Yosemite toad declines and I was involved in undergraduate research studying amphibian declines related to disease.

I obtained my MSc at Oregon State University where I studied amphibian declines related to disease presence. My research concentrated on two deadly amphibian diseases: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (also known as chytrid fungus), and Ranavirus. I used environmental DNA methods to sample for these pathogens across the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, not only looking at disease presence but also how climate change and other abiotic or biotic factors may affect the presence and spread of pathogens over space and time.

Since then, I worked for Olympic National Park where I studied coastal ecology, climate change, and limnology. We studied sea star health, sand invertebrate composition, ocean temperature impacts, and razor clam population status. In addition, we traveled to high elevation lakes to study climate change impacts on these high elevation ecosystems as well as amphibian population status.

In the spring, I work for Great Basin Institute and survey for desert tortoise to assess their health and population status. In the summer and fall, I work for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as a biologist. I collect data and talk to the public about marine fisheries policies, sustainable fishing, and conservation of marine species.

>> You could be featured in the next issue of Wildlife.Fish Magazine! Details at www.invite.wildlife.fish/profiles