Catherine S. Flegel, Ph.D.
Scientific Operations Director
Phone: (207) 887-7160 x212
Fax: (207) 887-7160
catherine.flegel@briloon.org
Catherine, a Michigander with small business experience, earned her Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology with a specialization in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Michigan State University in 1996. Throughout her academic and professional career, Catherine pooled her diverse skills into a strong blend of administrative and scientific core competencies. She established a track record for appreciating the complexity of implementing scientific research during her 14 years in Florida where she managed the financial and operational functions of a governmental agency entrusted with the management of 15,000 acres of natural lands. In 2010, as BRI’s newly named NRDA Director, Catherine was immediately deployed to the Gulf of Mexico where she spent seven months managing more than 50 biologists working on Deepwater Horizon oil spill studies. Once in Maine, her role expanded to include proposal development, contract negotiations and management, risk and compliance, and safety. These skills are now being applied across all BRI projects in her role as BRI’s Scientific Operations Director.
As an applied scientist, Catherine received the Conservationist of the Year award in 2001 from the St. Petersburg Audubon Society for her work on Shell Key, Pinellas County’s last undeveloped barrier island. In 2006, with more than 15 years experience managing natural resource-related projects, and 25 years devoted to wildlife management, she became a Certified Wildlife Biologist through The Wildlife Society. Catherine also has considerable experience organizing and writing management plans and has recently returned to her scientific roots by lending support to BRI’s Wildlife Habitat Planning Program.
Education
- Ph.D., Wildlife Ecology/Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Michigan State University, 1996
- M.S., Wildlife Ecology, Michigan State University, 1993
- B.S., Wildlife Management, Michigan State University, 1988
- Pre-veterinary Requirements, Michigan State University, 1983
- A.S., Architectural Design, Ferris State College, 1977
Certifications
- Certified Wildlife Biologist, The Wildlife Society, 2006
Areas of Expertise and Years of Experience
- Wildlife biologist, with an emphasis on habitat management, for 25 years.
- 17 years of experience conducting business within or with governmental agencies.
- Over 10 years experience in contract negotiations and administering program finances.
- Promoted conservation outreach through publications and websites for eight years.
- Selected species research in Florida upland/wetland/coastal ecosystems for five years.
- Over 5 years in construction.
- Former small business owner.
Research Interests
- Natural Resource Damage Assessment
- Wildlife Ecology
- Habitat Evaluation and Management
Reports
- Evers, D., E.M. Adams, M. Perkins, L. Savoy, C.S. Flegel, M. Duron, A. Gilbert, I. Johnson, and J. McKay. 2011. End-of-Study Draft Summary Report: Estimating Oiling and Mortality of Secretive Marsh Birds from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, NRDA Deepwater Horizon (MC 252) Oil Spill (Bird Study #3). Biodiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME. BRI-NRDA-DWH Report #3.3.
- Evers, D., P.G.R. Jodice, P.C. Frederick, L. Eggert, K.D. Meyer, M. Yates, C.S. Flegel, A. Gilbert, I. Johnson, J. D. Meattey, M. Duron, J. Goyette, I. Stenhouse, and J. McKay. 2011. Final Pre-assessment Data Report: Estimating Oiling and Mortality of Breeding Colonial Waterbirds from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, NRDA Deepwater Horizon (MC 252) Oil Spill (Bird Study #4). Biodiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME. BRI-NRDA-DWH Report #4.3
- Evers, D., B. J. Sigel, C.S. Flegel, A. Gilbert, I. Johnson, M. Duron, and J. McKay. 2011. End-of-Study Draft Summary Report: Estimating Oiling and Mortality of Colonial Waterbirds from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill - Oiling Rates, NRDA Deepwater Horizon (MC 252) Oil Spill (Bird Study #4). Biodiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME. BRI-NRDA-DWH Report #4.3b.
- Evers, D., N. Schoch, C.S. Flegel, M. Duron, J. Fallon, W. A. Hopkins, M. Walsh, R. Valentine, J. Ellal, and D. Mensching. 2011. End-of-Study Draft Summary Report: Avian Health Assessment for Estimating Oiling and Mortality of Breeding Secretive Marsh Birds (Bird Study #3) and Colonial Waterbirds (Bird Study #4), NRDA Deepwater Horizon (MC 252) Oil Spill. Biodiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME. BRI-DWH-NRDA Report 3.4.3.
- Evers, D., M.A. Montevecchi, J. Paruk, I.J. Stenhouse, B. J. Sigel, C. S. Flegel, A.Gilbert, I Johnson, M. Duron, J. McKay, and D. Long. 2011. End-of Study Draft Summary Report: Wintering Open-Water Waterbird (WOWW)(Bird Study #12), NRDA Deepwater Horizon (MC252) Oil Spill. Biodiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME. BRI-DWH-NRDA Report 12.3.