Robin Foster

Dr. Foster teaches courses in introductory animal behavior, conservation behavior, urban ecology and herpetology.  Her research program focuses on applied conservation and wildlife management, and on the integration of animal behavior with conservation assessment and planning.  She is particularly interested in interdisciplinary approaches to conservation, and in the development and application of minimally invasive wildlife sampling techniques.  Dr. Foster works closely with practitioners from a variety of state, federal, and nonprofit wildlife agencies, conducting research aimed at improving scientific evidence for conservation decision-making.  Students on her research team work on a variety of field and lab oriented projects, and regularly have the opportunity to network with professionals in these partner organizations.  In addition, Dr. Foster is extremely interested in Central American conservation and ecology, and teaches an annual course in tropical ecology and conservation – usually in Belize.  She is developing several research projects in conjunction with a Belizean nonprofit wildlife management agency, and is interested in exploring the relationship between the people of Belize and its diverse wildlife.

Awards

National Science Foundation IGERT Trainee – Ecosystem Restoration through Interdisciplinary Exchange (ERIE)
American Association of University Women, Olga Lindberg Scholarship
SUNY Buffalo State Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award
Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society Member

Publications

Foster, R.L., A.M. McMillan, and K. Roblee. 2009. Population status of hellbender salamanders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) in the Allegheny River drainage of New York State. Journal of Herpetology. 43(4): 579-588. 

Foster, R.L., A.M. McMillan, A.R. Breisch, K. Roblee, and D. Schranz. 2008. Analysis and comparison of three capture methods for the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). Herpetological Review 39(2): 181-186