Gabriel Miller, M.S. (December 2008)
Gabriel Miller began his studies in natural resource related biological sciences in 1995 at Central Lakes College (CLC), a community college in central Minnesota, where he was awarded an Associates of Applied Science degree. While studying at CLC, Gabe served as President of the Great Earth Club.
After earning his A.A.S., Gabe worked for various agencies including the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (as a Park Ranger and Naturalist) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (working with the Minnesota Conservation Corps and as an independent contractor). During this time, Gabe gained valuable field experience in conducting habitat restoration projects as well as research on the ecology of the state threatened Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta).
In 2000, Gabe enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP), where he served as President of the UWSP Herpetology Society, and was an active member of the UWSP Wildlife Society. In 2003, he received a B.S. in Wildlife Management with an emphasis in Herpetology. While at UWSP he and classmates conducted independent Wood Turtle and Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingi) research projects.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Gabe accepted a position in the Herpetology Lab at the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center in southwest Georgia, and was elevated to Technician I (Field Supervisor) after only a year of service.
Gabe received a Master of Science degree in December 2008 from the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida. His thesis research examined the ecology of upland snake species of the Southeast, specifically the Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus), a species of special concern in Florida. Gabe’s research focused on determining home ranges and microhabitat preferences and investigating the interspecies relationships with the Southeastern Pocket Gopher (Geomys pinetus).
Gabe is currently employed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and is working in the Big Bend region at several Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), where he has the opportunity to conduct habitat restoration and land management for the benefit of amphibians, reptiles, and other wildlife species.
