CV

Best of Mammals and Best of Show

Faith M. Walker

EDUCATION           

Ph. D., Monash University, Victoria, Australia, Dec 2004

B. Sc., Biology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA, May 1990 (summa cum laude)


ACADEMIC POSITIONS

2023 - present Associate Research Professor, School of Forestry and the Pathogen & Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ USA

2017 - 2022     Assistant Research Professor, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ USA

2022-2025 Visiting Professor, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

2017 -  present    Associate Director, Pathogen & Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ USA

2022 Visiting Professor, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

2016-present   Director of Genetics, Ancient DNA Lab, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA

2014-present   Director of Genetics, Bat Ecology & Genetics Laboratory, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA

2013-2015         Senior Research Scientist (Conservation Genetics), School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA

2008-2012         Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Biological Sciences, Pathogen & Microbiome Institute, and School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA

2007-present    Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA

2006-08              Research Associate, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia

2004-05               Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia


EMAIL                  

Faith.Walker@nau.edu


WEBSITES

Walker Lab

Species from Feces Lab   

Ancient DNA Lab

Photography and Pawtery


PUBLICATIONS

In review:


In preparation for a 2024/5 submission:



SELECTED AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND GRANTS (Funded)

2016-Present      Species from Feces and Environmental DNA contracts

2024-2027 Arizona Department of Health Service’s Arizona Biomedical Research Centre, Rabies virus prevalence and dispersal in the AZ-Mexico borderlands region prior to the arrival of the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), PI. 

2025 NAU OURCA Faculty Mentor Professional Learning Grant 

2024-2025 National Park Service, Survey and Monitor Bat Populations to Limit Spread and Increase Awareness of White-Nose Syndrome, Co-PI with Carol Chambers.  

2024     Revive and Restore's Catalyst Science Fund, Development of a qPCR Assay for Black-footed Ferrets, PI. 

2024     Crow Environmental Protection Program, The Crow Tribe, Validation of a qPCR Assay for Black-footed Ferrets, PI.

2024     Salt River Project, Baseline Assessment of the Contribution of Native and Non-native Prey in the Diets of Federally Threatened Thamnophis     eques megalops in Lower Tonto Creek, Arizona, Co-PI with Erika Nowak.

2023     Professional Service Award, Arizona Chapter of The Wildlife Society

2023         Researcher of the Year, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University

2021-2024          Arizona Department of Health Service’s Arizona Biomedical Research Centre, Rabies virus surveillance using non-traditional sample types collected from the human-wildlife interface, PI.

2022-2023        Electric Power Research Institute, Airborne Environmental DNA pilot study for bat monitoring, PI.


2021-2023          Salt River Project, Genetic surveillance for Threatened Northern Mexican Gartersnakes (Thamnophis eques megalops) in non-native predatory fish feces and water of Lake Roosevelt and Lower Tonto Creek, PI.

2021-2022          Bat Conservation International, Detecting endangered nectar-feeding bats via environmental DNA on agave flowers, PI.

2021-2023          Salt River Project, Assessment of the Contribution of Native and Non-native Prey in the Diets of Federally Threatened Thamnophis eques megalops in Lower Tonto Creek, Arizona, Co-PI with Erika Nowak.

2021             National Park Service, Study and Analysis of Rare Fossil Mummified Bats at Grand Canyon National Park, Co-PI with Carol Chambers.

2021-2024          USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Identifying habitat and home ranges for the New Mexico jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus), Co-PI with Carol Chambers.

2021-2022          U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Ecology of the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse, Co-PI with Carol Chambers.

2021             USGS FY21 Biological Threats Program, Emerging Fish and Wildlife Disease including Avian Influenza, Non-invasive surveillance for coronaviruses, including SARS CoV-2, in North American bats using guano, Co-PI with Anne Ballmann.

2019-2022                  Arizona Game & Fish Department Heritage Fund IIAPM, Connectivity and barriers to New Mexico jumping mice movements, Co-PI

2019-2020                  US Forest Service, ASNF small mammal survey and monitoring, Co-PI

2019                NAU Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Scholarship 

2018-2019               Australian Geographic Society, Revisiting wombat hair: molecularly tracking South Australia's faunal emblem through time, PI

2018                Maxwell-Lutz Community Impact Award (NAU), Promoting education and elephants in a rural Zambian community, PI

2017-2019  California Dept of Fish & Wildlife, Applying the Species from Feces genetic assay to bat guano & soil samples in redwood trees, PI

2017, 2018  California Department of Food & Agriculture, Determining bat species in guano fertilizer using the Species from Feces DNA mini- barcode assay, PI

2018                Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), Identifying habitat and home ranges for the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse, Co-PI with Carol Chambers (PI) 

2018              U.S. Forest Service, New Mexico meadow jumping mouse habitat and diet on Lincoln, Gila, and Santa Fe National Forests, Co-PI with Carol Chambers (PI) 

2017                NAU Research Development Grant, Testing ancient DNA in lake sediment and permafrost soil to detect the presence of key plant and animal species, Co-PI with Darrell Kaufman (PI)

2016                U.S. Forest Service, Occurrence and diet of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse on three National Forests, Co-PI with Carol Chambers (PI) and Valerie Horncastle (Co-PI)

2016                U.S. Forest Service, New Mexico meadow jumping mouse habitat, occupancy, and diet on the Apache-Sitgreaves and Santa Fe National Forests, Co-PI with Carol Chambers (PI) and Valerie Horncastle (Co-PI)

2015                NAU Research Development Grant (Equipment), Developing an ancient DNA facility, PI with Carol Chambers

2015                NAU Research Development Grant, Taxonomic, genetic, and functional biodiversity of bat gut associated microbiota in subterranean ecosystems of southwestern USA, Co-PI with Slava Fofanov (PI), Carol Chambers (Co-PI), Tal Pearson (Co-PI), and Crystal Hepp (Co-PI)

2015, 2017  USDA National Resources Conservation Service Conservation Effects and Assessment Project (CEAP), Elucidating the diet of the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse through metagenomics, Co-PI with Carol Chambers

2015               U.S. Forest Service, Small mammal communities of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Co-PI with Carol Chambers

2015                Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund Grant, New Mexico meadow jumping mouse surveys and habitat modeling in Arizona, Co- PI with Carol Chambers

2014               National Park Service, Comprehensive assessment of risk of caves to white-nose syndrome in U.S. National Parks, PI with Carol Chambers, Co- PI Jason Corbett

2013               Bat Conservation International, Bats and gated mines, Co-PI with Carol Chambers

2013               NextEra Energy, Bats and wind development in N. Arizona, Co-PI with Carol Chambers & Brett Dickson

2012               National Park Service, Spotted bat genetics, Co-PI with Carol Chambers & Jeff Foster

2012               Arizona Game & Fish Dept, Restoration of Chevelon Creek, Co-PI with Tom Whitham

2011               Principal Investigator, NSF, recommended for funding

2005-2006 Herman Slade Foundation Grant, PI

2003               Doctoral Completion Scholarship, Monash University

2002               Australian Geographic Research Grant, PI

2000               RSPCA Alan White Scholarship, PI

1999-2001 National Geographic Society Grant, Co-PI with Andrea Taylor

1999               Monash Graduate Scholarship

1999               International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, Monash University

1991               Fulbright Scholarship to Kenya


SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS (*presenting author)

2025 The Wildlife Society's AZ-NM Joint Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM. 4 presentations: 1) Development of a qPCR assay for the detection of the endangered black-footed ferret. Authors: A.L. Riley*, D.E. Sanchez, B. Novak, M. Stops, K. Bly, and F.M. Walker; 2) Rabies virus prevalence and dispersal in the AZ-Mexico borderlands region prior to the arrival of the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus). Authors: K.C. Majzner*, C.M. Hepp, Z. Barrand, D. Erickson, and F.M. Walker; 3) Evaluating the merits of environmental DNA to assess pollinator biodiversity. Authors: E.F. Liebig*, D.E. Sanchez, S.J. Marriott, A.L. Riley, F.M. Walker, and C.E Aslan; 4) Detecting New Mexico meadow jumping mice through environmental DNA. Authors: M.P. Grandpre*, M. Voorhees, D.E. Sanchez, J.G. Martinez-Fonseca, S. Marriott, A.L. Riley, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers. 


2024 Ecological Society of Australia, Melbourne, AU. Community composition and variation in the northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) faecal microbiome. Authors: Colin J. Sobek*, Faith M. Walker, Jeremy Austin. 


2024 North American Society for Bat Research, Guadalajara, Mexico. Can Bats be Detected from Airborne eDNA on Passive Samplers? Authors: Faith M. Walker*, Daniel E. Sanchez, Savannah J. Marriott, Ellen F. Liebig, José G. Martinez-Fonseca, David L. Bergman, Richard Chipman, Carol L. Chambers, and Antoinette Piaggio. 


2024 North American Society for Bat Research, Guadalajara, Mexico. From river to rim: Nutritional quality in diets of reproductive female bats in Grand Canyon National Park. Authors: Sarah Ciarrachi*, Faith M. Walker, and Jeffrey Foster.


2024 The Wildlife Society Conference, Baltimore, MD. Understanding the full-taxa diet of Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) through fecal DNA metabarcoding. Authors: Salix Scoresby*, Faith M. Walker, and Seafha Ramos.


2024 Government eDNA Working Group Workshop, Columbus, OH. Detecting terrestrial wildlife via environmental DNA on various substrate types. Authors: Faith M. Walker*, Daniel E. Sanchez, Savannah Marriott, Anna Riley, Ellen Liebig, and Kiera Majzner. 


2024 The Australian Mammal Society, Victoria, Australia. BURROWING THROUGH TIME: USING MITOGENOMES TO CONTEXTUALISE THE POPULATION BOTTLENECK IN NORTHERN HAIRY-NOSED WOMBATS (LASIORHINUS KREFFTI). Authors: Colin Sobek*, Faith Walker, and Jeremy Austin.


2024 Western Bat Working Group Webinar. Non-invasive and environmental DNA applications for identifying bats. Author: Faith M. Walker.


2024      Arizona Biomedical Research Commission’s Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ - Toward new methods to track rabies virus in Arizona: non-traditional sample types for rabies virus detection and a tiled amplicon assay for phylogeography. Authors: Walker, F.M.*, C.M. Hepp, B. Brock, M. Valentine, J.R. Upton, L. Van Pelt, L. Hastings, D. Bergman, and D.M. Engelthaler. 

2024 The Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Hood River, OR, USA. Understanding the full-taxa diet of Sierra Nevada red foxes through fecal metabarcoding. Authors: Salix Scoresby*, Faith M. Walker, Seafha Ramos. 


2024 The Wildlife Society's AZ-NM Joint Annual Meeting, Flagstaff, AZ, USA – 5 presentations: 1) Quantitative PCR for pathogen detection from wildlife feces. Author: Faith M. Walker*; 2) Testing passive airborne detecton of common vampire bat eDNA. Authors: Ellen F. Liebig*, Daniel E. Sanchez, Savannah J. Marriott, Jose G. Martinez-Fonseca, David L. Bergman, Carol L. Chambers, and Faith M. Walker; 3) Developing a qPCR assay for the detection of the Mexican long-tongued bat. Authors: Anna L. Riley*, Daniel E. Sanchez, Savannah J. Marriott, Kristen Lear, and Faith M. Walker; 4) Understanding ungulate diet using the Species from Feces DNA barcoding system. Authors: Kiera C. Majzner*, Daniel E. Sanchez, Trevor C. Weeks, and Faith M. Walker; 5) Detecting New Mexico meadow jumping mice through eDNA. Authors: Makayla P. Grandpre, Matthew Voorhees, Daniel E. Sanchez, Jose G. Martinez-Fonseca, Faith M. Walker, and Carol L. Chambers (Best Student Poster).


2023 Australian Mammal Society, Adelaide, South Australia. Keynote address: Non-invasive and environmental DNA applications for elusive and endangered mammals. 


2023 8th Annual ABRC-Flinn Research Conference. Toward developing new methods to track rabies virus in Arizona: non-traditional sample types for rabies virus detection and a tiled amplicon assay for phylogeography. Authors: F.M. Walker, D. Erickson, Z. Barrand, B. Brock, M. Valentine, E.L. Federman, E.M. Froehlich, L. Van Pelt, L. Hastings, D. Bergman, D.M. Engelthaler, and C.M. Hepp.


2023 Western Bat Working Group Biennial Conference, Victoria, B.C., Canada. Detection of Listed Bat Species Under Bridges Through the Use of Fecal DNA. Authors: Faith M. Walker, Susan Dulc, Heather Gates, Cori L. Lausen, Erin Low, Cory Olson, Meagan D. Owens, Daniel E. Sanchez, Abby Tobin and Carol L. Chambers.


2023 The Wildlife Society's AZ-NM Joint Annual Meeting, Farmington, NM, USA – 3 presentations: 1) Best Student Poster: Detection of federally listed bat species under bridges through the use of fecal DNA. Authors: E.L. Federman*, S. Dulc, H. Gates, C.L. Lausen, E. Low, C. Olson, D.E. Sanchez, M.D. Owens, C.L. Chambers, and F.M. Walker; 2) Detection of the Threatened Northern Mexican Gartersnake Through Fecal and eDNA. Authors: M.D. Owens, E.L. Federman, D.E. Sanchez, M.Wicke, J. Black, R.A. Valencia, E.Nowak, and F.M. Walker; 3) Using environmental DNA to detect lesser long-nosed bats from agave flowers. Authors: A.L. Riley, D.E. Sanchez, K. Lear, and F.M. Walker.


2022 Standards, Precautions, and Advances in Ancient Metagenomics, virtual - Metagenomic analysis of coprolites from three Late Pleistocene megaherbivores from the Southwestern United States. Authors: Prys-Jones, T.O., A.J. Abraham, I. Shaffer, C.J. Sobek, J.R. Upton, S.N. Hershauer, K. Wong, M. Marirosa, S. Menke, S. Sommer, T. Furstenau, J. Mead, F.M. Walker, V. Fofanov, and C.E. Doughty.


2022 Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region, Flagstaff, AZ, USA – 2 posters: 1) Snake Snack: eDNA qPCR and DNA metabarcoding assays detect predation on and diet of threatened northern Mexican gartersnakes (Thamnophis eques megalops). Authors: Federman, E.L.*, D.E. Sanchez, M. Wicke, J. Black, R.A. Valencia, E. Nowak, and F.M. Walker; 2) Detection of federally listed bat species under bridges through the use of fecal DNA. Authors: Owens, M.D.*, S. Dulc, H. Gates, C.L. Lausen, E. Low, C. Olson, D.E. Sanchez, C.L. Chambers, and F.M. Walker.


2022 International Bat Research Conference/North American Society for Bat Research, Austin, TX, USA – 2 presentations: 1) eDNA detection of Leptonycteris nivalis at flowering Agave using two sampling techniques. Authors: Zeyzus, J.A.*, D.E. Sanchez, E.L. Federman, K.M. Lear, H.F. Sahli, and F.M. Walker; 2) Detection of listed bat species under bridges through the use of fecal DNA. Authors: Chambers, C.L.*, C. Lausen, C. Olson, M.D. Owens, D.E. Sanchez, and F.M. Walker.


2022  Arizona Biomedical Research Commission’s Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ - Toward new methods to track rabies virus in Arizona: non-traditional sample types for rabies virus detection and a tiled amplicon assay for phylogeography. Authors: Walker, F.M.*, C.M. Hepp, B. Brock, M. Valentine, J.R. Upton, L. Van Pelt, L. Hastings, D. Bergman, and D.M. Engelthaler. 

2022  The Wildlife Society's AZ-NM Joint Annual Meeting, virtual - Snake Snack at Arizona’s Lake Roosevelt: eDNA qPCR and DNA metabarcoding assays to detect predation on and diet of threatened northern Mexican gartersnakes (Thamnophis eques megalops) . Authors: Emma L. Federman*, Daniel E. Sanchez, Marc Wicke, Jonathan Black, Ruth A. Valencia, Erika Nowak, and Faith M. Walker.  

2022 Northeastern Bat Working Group Annual Meeting, virtual - Development of an eDNA sampling protocol to detect bat presence. Authors: Julie A. Zeyzus*, Daniel E. Sanchez, Emma L. Federman, Kristen M. Lear, Heather F. Sahli, and Faith M. Walker.

2021 International Congress for Conservation Biology, virtual – Understanding ecosystem services provided by insectivorous bats in Rwanda. Authors: Marie-Claire Dusabe*, Olivier Nsengimana, Paul Webala, Innocent Twizeyimana, Daniel E. Sanchez, Colin J. Sobek, Faith M. Walker, Jean Claude Tumushime, Deo Ruhagazi, Deogratias Ryumugabe, Providence Uwanyirigira, Cecile Kayitanirwa, and Rodrigo Medellin.

2021 North American Society for Bat Research, Tempe, AZ, USA – 2 papers: 1) Testing a qPCR assay for eDNA detection of Leptonycteris nivalis at flowering agave. Authors: J.A. Zeyzus*, D.E. Sanchez, E.L. Federman, K. Lear, M. Bayless, H. Sahli, and F.M. Walker; 2) Molecular diet analysis and ecological data on the spectral bat, Vampyrum spectrum (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae). Authors: J.G. Martínez-Fonseca*, R. Mau, F.M. Walker, A. Medina-Fitoria, K. Yasuda, and C.L. Chambers.

2021   Arizona Society for Microbiology’s AZ-NV 60th Annual Meeting, virtual - The Rabie-c’s: Testing the capabilities of a molecular assay for non-invasive rabies virus surveillance. Jordyn Upton*, Crystal M. Hepp, and Faith M. Walker 

2021   The Wildlife Society's AZ-NM Joint Annual Meeting, virtual - 2 posters: 1) The Rabie-c’s: Testing the capabilities of a molecular assay for non-invasive rabies virus surveillance. Jordyn Upton*, Crystal M. Hepp, and Faith M. Walker; 2) A Tail of Two Cities: Using microsatellite DNA to study gene flow in post-dam populations of common-side blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana). Jacque Lyman*, Tessa Corsetti, Jordyn Upton, Carol L. Chambers, and Faith M. Walker.

2020   The Wildlife Society's AZ-NM Joint Annual Meeting, Prescott, AZ, USA - Detecting New Mexico meadow jumping mice using environmental DNA. Authors: S.N. Hershauer*, J.A. Lyman, D.E. Sanchez, C.J. Sobek, C.L. Chambers, and F.M. Walker. (Samantha, an undergraduate, won best student poster).

2019   8th International Barcode of Life Conference, Trondheim, Norway - 2 papers: 1) Menu à la MinION: Real-time DNA sequencing for diet of large African mammals. Authors: Faith M. Walker, Daniel E. Sanchez, and Crystal M. Hepp;  2) Salad within: a genetic survey of diet of the endangered New Mexico jumping mouse (Zapus luteus luteus); Authors: Daniel E. Sanchez*, Austin Dikeman, Faith M. Walker, Viacheslav Y. Fofanov, and Carol L. Chambers.

2019   The Wildlife Society's AZ-NM Joint Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, USA - 2 papers: 1) Finding Gold in the Old: Projects of NAU’s Ancient DNA Lab. Authors: Samantha N. Hershauer*, Colin J. Sobek, Carol L. Chambers, and F. M. Walker; 2) Environmental DNA for ecological monitoring. Authors: Jacque Lyman*, Daniel E. Sanchez, Colin J. Sobek, Carol C. Chambers, Paul Keim, Abe Springer, Gregory Caporaso, and Faith M. Walker.

2018    20th Anniversary Wombat Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia – 4 papers: 1) Revisiting wombat hair: molecularly tracking a burrowing marsupial through time. Authors: F.M. Walker, J.R. Upton, C.J. Sobek, D. Taggart, and M. Gaughwin; 2) Square salads: Exploring the diet of the southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) via metabarcoding. Authors: C.J. Sobek* and F.M. Walker; 3) No place like home or home away: The use of warrens by southern hairy-nosed wombats in 1975-1977 and 2000-2002. Authors: M. Gaughwin*, F. Walker, G. Finlayson, and D. Taggart; 4) The sex-ratio of pouch-young and adult hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons and L. krefftii). Authors: M. Gaughwin*, A. Horsup, C. Dickman, R. Wells, F. Walker, and D. Taggart.

2018    Arizona Native Plant Society, Tucson AZ, USA - Decoding diversity: Using genetics to identify native flora in Arizona. Authors: J. Lyman*, D. Sanchez, G. Billings, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers. 

2018   The Wildlife Society's AZ-NM Joint Annual Meeting, Flagstaff, AZ, USA - 6 papers: 1) Species From Feces (SFF) goes diet. Authors: C.L. Chambers* and F.M. Walker; 2) Updates from the Bat Cave: The Next Generation of Investigations. Authors: C.J. Sobek*, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers; 3) Fast food: Serving up the diet of the spotted bat by barcoding DNA in feces. Authors: S.N. Hershauer*, F.M. Walker, C. Lausen, and C.L. Chambers; 4) The salad within: Herbivorous diet of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. Authors: D.E. Sanchez*, A.L. Dikeman, F.M. Walker, V. Horncastle, and C.L. Chambers; 5) Tracking Escherichia coli infections of the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus). Authors: A.L. Dikeman*, D.E. Sanchez, V. Fofanov, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers; 6) My nest is best: Analyzing nest composition of the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus). Authors: J. Lyman*, D.L. Dikeman, D.E. Sanchez, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers.

2017    North American Society for Bat Research, Knoxville, TN, USA - Species from Feces goes diet: Nicaraguan bats reveal all. Authors: C.L. Chambers*, D. O’Rourke, J.T. Foster, J.G. Martinez-Fonseca, A. Medina-Fitoria, M. Chavez-Velasquez, and F.M. Walker.

2017    The Wildlife Society’s 24th Annual Conference, Albuquerque, NM, USA – 2 papers: Salad Within: Genetically Identifying Diet of an Endangered Species. Authors: D.E. Sanchez*, A. Dikeman, F.M. Walker, V. Horncastle, and C.L. Chambers; Tracking Escherichia coli infections of the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus). Authors: A. Dikeman*, D.E. Sanchez, V.Y. Fofanov, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers.

2017    Biennial Conference of Science & Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region, Flagstaff, AZ, USA (Developed Wildlife Conservation Genetics session and served as Session Chair) – 6 papers: A fecal sequel: Limits of detection of a genetic assay for species identification from guano. Authors: F.M. Walker*, V.Y. Fofanov, A. Tobin, C. Sobek, D.E. Sanchez, and C.L. Chambers; NAU’s Ancient DNA Lab: Successes with paleogenetics and environmental DNA. Authors: C.J. Sobek*, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers; Genetic identification of bat diet in Nicaragua. Authors: C.L. Chambers*, D. O’Rourke, J.T. Foster, J.G. Martinez-Fonseca, A. Medina-Fitoria, M. Chavez-Velasquez, and F.M. Walker; The role of bats in driving the biodiversity of shallow subterranean habitats (abandoned mines) of the Colorado Plateau. Authors: V.Y. Fofanov*, F.M. Walker, D.E. Sanchez, C.J. Sobek, and C.L. Chambers; Salad Within: Genetically Identifying Diet of an Endangered Species. Authors: D.E. Sanchez*, A. Dikeman, F.M. Walker, V. Horncastle, and C.L. Chambers; Tracking Escherichia coli infections of the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus). Authors: A. Dikeman*, D.E. Sanchez, V.Y. Fofanov, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers.

2017    Microbiome Bioinformatics with QIIME 2 Workshop, Las Vegas, NV, USA – 2 papers: Effects of exposure on bat guano microbiome. Authors: T.N. Furstenau, N.S. Pagel, D. Sanchez, C. Chambers, F.M. Walker, and V.Y. Fofanov; Preemptive establishment of baseline bat microbiome. Authors: N.S. Pagel, A. Tobin, D. Sanchez, C. Sobek, T.N. Furstenau, F.M. Walker, C. Chambers, and V.Y. Fofanov.

2017      The Wildlife Society's AZ-NM Joint Annual Meeting, Farmington, NM, USA - 3 papers: A fecal sequel: Putting a DNA mini-barcode assay to the tests of time and dilution. Authors: F.M. Walker*, V.Y. Fofanov, A. Tobin, C. Sobek, D.E. Sanchez, and C.L. Chambers; Identifying bats via environmental DNA in water. Authors: C. Sobek*, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers; Varied herbaceous diet of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse revealed by DNA metabarcoding. D.E. Sanchez*, A.L. Dikeman, F.M. Walker, V. Horncastle, C.L. Chambers; ITS2 good to be true: an optimal metabarcoding approach for diet analysis of endangered herbivores. Authors: A.L. Dikeman, D.E. Sanchez, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers.

2017     Western Bat Working Group, Fort Collins, CO, USA - How rare? Limits of detection of a genetic assay for species identification from guano. Authors: F.M. Walker, V.Y. Fofanov, A. Tobin, C.J. Sobek, D.E. Sanchez*, and C.L. Chambers.

2016      The Wildlife Society’s 23rd Annual Conference, Raleigh, NC, USA: Reducing risks while maintaining a working landscape: Livestock grazing in endangered mouse habitat. Authors: C.L. Chambers*, V.Y. Fofanov, V. Horncastle, J. Springer, S. Tuttle, and F.M. Walker.

2016      North American Society for Bat Research, San Antonio, TX, USA – 3 papers: How rare? Limits of detection of a genetic assay for species identification from guano. Authors: F.M. Walker*, V.Y. Fofanov, A. Tobin, C.J. Sobek, D.E. Sanchez, and C.L. Chambers; Identifying bats via eDNA in water. Authors: C.J. Sobek*, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers; Once upon a time in Mexico: prehistoric habitat suitability of the spotted bat. Authors: D.E. Sanchez*, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers.

2016      International Bat Research Conference, Durban, South Africa (Developed Conservation Genetics session and served as Session Chair) – 2 papers: Gobs of guano: upping the ante for bat species identification from feces. Authors: Walker, F.M.*, V. Fofanov, A. Tobin, C.J. Sobek, D.E. Sanchez, & C.L. Chambers; DNA tales of scooping poop and swabbing mobs: Application of genomics to better understand bats. Authors: C.L. Chambers*, F.M. Walker, and V.Y. Fofanov.

2016      The Wildlife Society Joint Annual Meeting, Flagstaff, AZ, USA – 4 papers: Beyond the bat – bats as drivers of bacterial biodiversity in abandoned mines of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Authors: V. Fofanov*, C.M. Hepp, F.M. Walker, C.J. Sobek, D.E. Sanchez, and C.L. Chambers; The diverse world of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. Authors: C.L. Chambers*, J. Springer, K. Phillips, V. Horncastle, F.M. Walker, J. Frey, and V. Fofanov. From Mexico to Canada: prehistoric habitat suitability of the spotted bat. Authors: D.E. Sanchez*, F.M. Walker, and C.L. Chambers. Bat species identification from guano. Authors: F.M. Walker, C.J. Sobek*, D.E. Sanchez, and C.L. Chambers.

2015      North American Society for Bat Research Annual Symposium, Monterrey, CA, USA: Species from Feces: Reliably identifying global bat species with a DNA mini-barcode assay. Authors: Walker*, F.M., C. Williamson, C.J. Sobek, D.E. Sanchez, & C.L. Chambers.

2015      6th International Barcode of Life Conference, Guelph, Canada - 2 papers: Species from Feces: Reliably identifying global bat species with a DNA mini-barcode assay. Authors: Walker, F.M., C. Williamson, C.J. Sobek*, D.E. Sanchez, & C.L. Chambers; Bats as drivers of bacterial biodiversity across multiple trophic levels of subterranean biomes. Authors: Fofanov, V.Y.*, C.M. Hepp, D.E. Sanchez, C.J. Sobek, C.L. Chambers, and F.M. Walker.

2015      Biennial Conference of Science & Management on the Colorado Plateau, Flagstaff, AZ, USA – 3 papers: Species from Feces: A tool for genetically identifying bats globally. Authors: Walker, F.M.*, C. Williamson, C.J. Sobek, D.E. Sanchez, & C.L. Chambers; Two thousand years on the Colorado Plateau: Spotted bat genetic diversity revealed by contemporary, historical, and ancient DNA. Authors: Walker, F.M., C.J. Sobek, D.E. Sanchez, R.C. Fleischer, M. Campana, J.T. Foster, and C.L. Chambers*; Bats as drivers of bacterial biodiversity across multiple trophic levels of subterranean biomes. Authors: Fofanov*, V, C.M. Hepp, D.E. Sanchez, C.J. Sobek, C.L. Chambers, and F.M. Walker.

2015      American Society of Microbiology, Regional Meeting, Flagstaff, AZ - Paper, Bats drive microbial communities in subterranean habitats. Authors: V. Fofanov, C.M. Hepp, D.E. Sanchez*, C.J. Sobek, C.L. Chambers, & F.M. Walker. Poster, Identification and classification of Brucella species causing human disease in Turkey.  Authors: Bayer, B., F.M. Walker, J.T. Foster, Y. Özsürekci, S. Kiliç, P. Keim, & D. Wagner.

2015      North American Joint Bat Working Group, Saint Louis, MO - Paper, Species from Feces: A tool to genetically identify bats.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, C. Williamson, D. Sanchez, C. Sobek, & C.L. Chambers.

2015      The Wildlife Society Joint Annual Meeting, Las Cruces, NM – 2 papers: Species from Feces: A tool to genetically identify bats. Authors: Walker, F.M.*, C. Williamson, C. Sobek, D. Sanchez, & C.L. Chambers; A DNA sequencing approach for characterizing microbial and bat species composition in mines from guano. Authors: V. Fofanov, F. M. Walker, D. Sanchez*, C. Sobek, & C.L. Chambers.

2014      North American Society for Bat Research Annual Symposium, Albany, NY - Paper, Spotted bat population genetics revealed by historical and contemporary DNA.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, C. Sobek, D. Sanchez, J.T. Foster, & C.L. Chambers.

2014      The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, USA - Paper, Spotted bat population genetics revealed by historical and contemporary DNA.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, C. Sobek, D. Sanchez, J.T. Foster, & C.L. Chambers.

2014      North American Congress for Conservation Biology, Missoula, MT, USA - Paper, Spotted bat population genetics across time and space.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, J.T. Foster, & C.L. Chambers.

2014      The Wildlife Society Joint Annual Meeting, Pinetop, AZ, USA - Paper, Regional movement of spotted bats (Euderma maculatum) revealed by genetic sampling.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, J.T. Foster, & C.L. Chambers.; Poster, Absence of genetic relatedness within maternity colonies of big brown bats in Flagstaff: Implications for rabies transmission.  Authors: Platts, C.*, F.M. Walker, C.L. Chambers, & B. Keeley.

2013      Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau, Flagstaff, AZ, USA -Poster, Spotted bat (Euderma maculatum) microsatellite discovery using next-generation sequencing.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, J.T. Foster, K. Drees, & C.L. Chambers.

2012     North American Congress for Conservation Biology, Oakland, CA, USA – Paper, Beavers link tree heterozygosity to arthropod community richness.  Authors: Walker, F.M., R. Durben*, S. Shuster, & T. Whitham.

2011     Cottonwood Ecology Symposium, Flagstaff, AZ, USA – Paper, Beavers and the genetic diversity of trees.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, S. Shuster, & T. Whitham.

2010     Cottonwood Ecology Symposium, Flagstaff, AZ, USA – Paper, Cottonwood clones, genetic structure, and beaver hair: A sequel.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, S. Shuster, & T. Whitham.

2010      Invited speaker, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, U.S.A.

2009      European Science Foundation’s Conservation Genetics course, Bertinoro, Italy Genes to ecosystems: Beaver browsing generates genetic structure in a foundation tree.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, S. Shuster, & T. Whitham.

2009      Cottonwood Ecology Symposium, Flagstaff, AZ, USA – Paper, Do beavers drive cottonwood genetic structure?  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, S. Shuster, & T. Whitham.

2008      Invited speaker, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.

2007      International Beaver Management and Ecology Conference, Phoenix, AZ, USA–Poster, Interactions Between Foundation Species (Cottonwoods and Beavers) and Natural Selection in a Community Context.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, S. Shuster, & T. Whitham.

2007      Evolutionary Change in Human-altered Environments: An International Summit, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA – Poster, Evidence for Habitat Fragmentation Altering Within Population Processes in Wombats.  Authors: Walker, F.M.*, A. Taylor, & P. Sunnucks.

2006      Invited speaker, Department of Biology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ

2006      Invited speaker, School of Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Cairns & Townsville, QLD, AU

2006      Invited speaker, CSIRO Tropical Forest Research Centre, Atherton, QLD, AU


STUDENTS AND STAFF

 

INVENTION DISCLOSURES

2017               Kit for rapid genetic identification of biodiversity in remote field locations (coversheet provisional pending)

2016               Species from Feces DNA mini-barcode pipeline (provisional patent)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2016-present     Conservation Genetics, FOR485, NAU

2023     Forest Wildlife Habitat and Range Management, FOR345, NAU

2018                        Zambian Wildlife Conservation and Management, NAU Study Abroad (BIO499/599), Lead faculty

2017,2018           Guest Lecturer for Ecological Restoration, FOR382/582, NAU

2017                        Scientific Writing and Publishing, FOR 697, NAU

2016-present     Undergraduate Research, FOR485

2013, 2015          Guest Lecturer for Wildlife Habitat Relationships, FOR 604, NAU

2014                        Guest Lecturer for Ecology and Behavior of Bats, NAU

2014                        Guest Lecturer for Introduction to Conservation Biology, FOR 240, NAU

2011, 2012, 2017     Guest Lecturer for Mammalogy, BIO 528, NAU

1999                          Laboratory Instructor for Anatomy and Physiology, BIO 201, NAU

1992-1996            Laboratory Instructor for General Biology (BIO 101), Plant Taxonomy (BIO 308), and Ornithology (BIO 482), University of Idaho


SERVICE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

2022     Editorial Board Member for Frontiers in Mammal Science

2017-2019          Editorial Board Member for journal Wildlife Ecology and Management

2004-present     Reviewer for 13 professional journals, including Molecular Ecology, Conservation Genetics, Journal of Heredity, and Journal of Mammalogy

2017                        External reviewer for National Science Foundation, Geography and Spatial Sciences Program

2016                        Session Chair for Conservation Genetics at the International Bat Research Conference, Durban, South Africa

2015                        Conference moderator for the Biennial Conference of Science & Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region, and the American Society of Microbiology Southwest Regional Meeting, USA

2014 & 2015      Peer review panel for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) FY15 and FY16 proposals

2013 & 2014      Mentor of Nixon K. Sajita of Kakamega Forest Guides Association (Kakamega, Kenya) for submission of a successful International Primatological Society Conservation Grant and a Charles Southwick Conservation Education Commitment Award

UNIVERSITY SERVICE

2018                          NASA Space Grant Mentor

2017                          Session organizer for Conservation Genetics at the Biennial Conference of Science & Management on the Colorado Plateau, Flagstaff, AZ, USA

2013 - 2016          Member, NAU's Fulbright Review Committee

2012 - present     Judge for NAU's College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences' Undergraduate Research And Design Symposium

SCHOOL SERVICE

2013                          Search committee for TRIF postdoctoral fellows and School of Forestry Ph. D. and Master's students


AFFILIATIONS

The Wildlife Society, Western Bat Working Group, North American Society for Bat Research, Wildlife Disease Association, Society for Conservation Biology, The Society for Ecological Restoration, Union of Concerned Scientists 


SELECTED MEDIA 

        NAU-TV Bat Special (4 segments)


POPULAR SCIENCE WRITING


REFEREES

       Letter of recommendation:

Paul Sunnucks_Recommendation letter.pdf

Letter of recommendation:

Andrea Taylor_Recommendation letter.pdf