Meet the Staff

Allen Calvert, Network Program Manager

Primary Network Responsibilities: Oversees all network projects and programs
Active Projects: Pilot Bat Monitoring Plan
Education and Areas of Expertise: MS, Environmental Policy and Management (emphasis in natural resource management), University of Denver; BS, Biological Sciences (emphasis in ecology and evolution), University of Nevada - Las Vegas.

I began working as the Program Manager for the Mojave Desert Network in 2016. I have the opportunity to be involved with all facets of the network, overseeing our great team and interesting projects. Since 2018, I have been actively coordinating with the network parks to develop and now implement a network bat monitoring plan. Prior to moving to the National Park Service, I was a biologist with the Bureau of Reclamation, overseeing conservation efforts for bats, small mammals, and amphibians along the lower Colorado River. While I was born in Wisconsin, I have spent the majority of my life living in southern Nevada. I spend most of my time with my wife and four children. I also enjoy watching and occasionally playing hockey, snowboarding, biking and hiking.

Mark Lehman, Data Manager

Primary Network Responsibilities: Data stewardship; database development; data documentation, dissemination, and visualization
Active Projects: SQL database development, GIS and mobile data collection tool development
Education and Areas of Expertise: MS, Environmental Science, Indiana University; MS, Information Science, University of Pittsburgh; Certificate in GIS, University of California, Riverside.

After working in IT for many years, I became interested in getting outside occasionally and was inspired to complete an M.S. in Environmental Science at Indiana University. I landed at the Mojave Desert Network in 2014 after nearly nine years of GIS and Data Management work for the National Capital Region I&M Network. When I am not focused on solving Data Management problems, I enjoy biking, hiking, backpacking, photography and watching old movies.

Jeff Galvin, Vegetation Ecologist

Primary Network Responsibilities: Lead for all vegetation protocols.
Active Projects: Integrated Upland Vegetation, Aspen, White Pine, and Spring Vegetation
Education and Areas of Expertise: BA, Biology (emphasis in plant ecology), Drew University.

I began working as the Vegetation Ecologist for the Mojave Desert Network (MOJN) in the summer of 2021. Prior to MOJN, I worked with the Sonoran Desert Network for nearly a decade as lead on many of their vegetation mapping projects, as well as serving as a field crew lead for all the vegetation related protocols. Before working with the National Park Service, I served as the Botany Program Lead for the Western Riverside Country Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan. In that position, I was the lead on all vegetation protocols, primarily focused on surveying for, and monitoring, 63 federal and state listed plants species. Although I grew up in coastal Massachusetts, I’ve come to love the desert southwest. I’ve spent close to two decades working in vegetation communities throughout the Mojave, Sonoran, and Great Basin Deserts. In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, botanizing, cooking, canyoneering, road biking, and kayaking.

Sarah Wright, Data Scientist *

Primary Network Responsibilities: Data exploration, analysis, and visualization through development of R packages, R Shiny apps, and R Markdown automated reports
Active Projects: Developing R packages for accessing and analyzing long-term monitoring data, leading a data science community of practice
Education and Areas of Expertise: BS, Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

I first joined the Mojave Desert Network as an intern in 2014, then served as Assistant Data Manager from 2016-2020. As Data Scientist, my time is split between Mojave Desert Network and the rest of the Inventory and Monitoring networks in the Pacific West Region. My focus is on reproducible data analysis, visualization, and reporting in R. Although I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, I have fallen in love with the Mojave Desert. When I’m not at work, I’m hiking, rock climbing, learning to mountain bike (emphasis on learning), or brewing a batch of homebrew hard cider.

* In January, Sarah started a one year detail with the Inventory and Monitoring Central Support Office. She will maintain and further develop the NPSdataverse, a suite of R packages for data publication and metadata creation. She will also coordinate with the DataStore development team to improve and expand DataStore web services. She continues to co-lead the Data Science Community of Practice.

Jennifer Bailard, Physical Scientist

Primary Network Responsibilities: Develop, coordinate, and implement data collection, QA/QC, analysis, and reporting for water resources in the Mojave Desert Network; Project Lead for the hydrology protocols
Active Projects: Selected Large Springs, Desert Springs, Streams and Lakes
Education and Areas of Expertise: BA, Science of Earth Systems (Biogeochemistry), Cornell University.

I joined the Mojave Desert Network in 2013 as an intern with the Student Conservation Association. I have also worked as an interpretive park ranger at Death Valley National Park, where I developed an interest in sharing environmental science with the public. My hobbies include amateur botany, astronomy, and birding. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, I have fallen in love with the wide open spaces, spectacular wildflower blooms, and colorful geology of the Mojave Desert. One day, I would like to visit all of the major deserts in the world!

Kyle Smith, Vegetation Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Assisting in vegetation protocols implementation.
Active Projects: Integrated Uplands Vegetation, Spring Vegetation, White Pine, Aspen, and Invasive Species Early Detection
Education and Areas of Expertise: BS, Environmental Science, Oregon State University

Prior to joining the Mojave Desert Network at the start of 2020, I worked seasonal biology jobs across the western US, usually through non-profit organizations. I worked with fish and salamanders in the Pacific Northwest as well as the Redwood Coast of California; collected vegetation data in northeast Nevada; worked as part of a conservation crew in southern Nevada; assisted with vegetation protocol implementation in Colorado; and assisted with collecting biological data related to endangered desert animal species in Southern California. After growing up in the Pacific Northwest, with its persistent drizzle, I have gained an affinity for the desert southwest of the US, with its year-round sunshine and wide open spaces. I spend my free time outdoors climbing, hiking, road tripping, and generally enjoying all the wonderful public lands nearby.

Em Michael, Physical Science Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Assisting with all water resource protocols
Active Projects: Desert Springs, Selected Large Springs, Streams and Lakes
Education and Areas of Expertise: BS, Geological Sciences (emphasis in geomorphic hazards), minor in Mathematics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

My collegiate training was focused on geomorphic hazards which led me to bedrock mapping with the North Carolina Geological Survey for 3 years. After publishing several small- and large-scale maps, I sought a change of scenery and began working in caverns within the NPS. Before joining the Mojave Desert Network in the winter of 2024, I was a cave scientist at Carlsbad Caverns NP and Mammoth Cave NP. I pioneered new ways to map and visualize subsurface data using ESRI products. Through working for the NPS, I have gained an appreciation for our public lands and natural resources; I am committed to understanding our environment through the lens of observations, data collection, and analysis. When I am not working, I enjoy playing rugby (my position is loosehead/tighthead locke) and am a professional cellist and double bassist in orchestras.

Athena Lynch, Physical Science Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Assisting in water resource protocols implementation
Active Projects: Desert Springs, Selected Large Springs, Streams and Lakes
Education and Areas of Expertise: BS in Environmental Science and Conservation Biology, UCLA

I began my journey in conservation fieldwork in coastal California before moving to the Mojave desert in early 2024. After a season as a vegetation crew intern with MOJN in the spring of 2024, I knew I wanted to extend my stay here. I then spent a season with the USGS doing Mojave desert tortoise and vegetation work, and now have returned to MOJN as a hydrologic technician. I look forward to getting acquainted with the desert springs throughout the Mojave. When I’m not working, I love to hike, look for plants and wildlife, craft, and play sports.

Wendy Zamora, Physical Science Technician (intern)

Primary Network Responsibilities: Assist with the collection of water quantity and quality data.
Active Projects: Selected Large Springs, Desert Springs, Streams and Lakes
Education and Areas of Expertise: BS, Conservation & Resource Studies (Ecology), minor in GIS, University of California, Berkeley

I am currently serving as a Physical Science Technician with the Mojave Desert Network's hydrology team through Conservation Legacy's "Stewards Individual Placements Program." My experience consists of a variety of internships and seasonal positions across distinct biomes, all relating in some way to environmental stewardship. Having graduated in May of '23, I am using this time early in my professional career to explore a variety of subfields and places. In the meantime, I am excited to learn about desert hydrology while experiencing the beauty of its geology, flora, and fauna. In my free time, I enjoy arts & crafts, baking, watching dramas, and exploring the food and activities that locals partake in, in whatever place I find myself at the time.

Casey Devine-Rosser, Wildlife Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Bat monitoring crew lead
Active Projects: White-nose syndrome sampling and acoustic monitoring of bats
Education and Areas of Expertise: MS, Environmental Science, Christopher Newport University; BS, Biology, minors in Chemistry and Photography, Christopher Newport University

I have worked as an environmental consultant for bat-related projects throughout the west since 2014 and most recently conducted sampling of White-nose Syndrome of bats for the Mojave Desert and Klamath Inventory and Monitoring networks. I value working for the national park service along with all the interesting nooks of nature that my job takes me. Working with bats has allowed me to increase my technical understanding of various research methods including radio telemetry, bio acoustics, thermal imaging, photogrammetry, game cameras, DNA sampling, and genetics. When I’m not at work, I love cooking, seeing live music, hiking, biking, and traveling.

Sofia Elizarraras, Wildlife Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Assisting in bat protocol implementation
Active Projects: White-nose syndrome sampling and acoustic monitoring of bats
Education and Areas of Expertise: BA, Biology, Kenyon College

This is my second season with MOJN, and I’m so grateful to continue working with these incredible bats! When I’m not in the Mojave, I travel for NPS research, working with both marine and terrestrial species in remote environments. My research has ranged from studying wolves in Alaska to collecting sea turtle nesting data in the U.S. Virgin Islands! I also have a passion for scientific communication through public outreach and wildlife photography. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, taking dance classes, and playing the harp.

* All flowers were collected under a research permit; please do not pick flowers in wilderness areas.

James Bardo, Vegetation Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Assisting in vegetation monitoring protocols.
Active Projects: Integrated Uplands Vegetation, Spring Vegetation, White Pine
Education and Areas of Expertise: BS, Environmental Studies, minor in Sociology, University of Central Florida

This is my first season with MOJN, but I am no stranger to the Mojave. Every year since 2022 I have worked somewhere in the Mojave, ranging from wilderness restoration work in the western Mojave/southern Sierra Nevada foothills, to surveying for rare plants on public land from Bakersfield to the US-Mexico border, to collecting data for academics studying drought across southern California deserts. The Mojave is where I learned botany and a lot of my ecological knowledge, and while I grew up in Florida, I consider the Mojave to be my home. But I’m not always in the desert for summer and fall; I have worked in Sequoia National Park collecting cones/seeds and assisting in Giant Sequoia restoration. I have also worked in the Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills ecoregion, Northern Chihuahuan Desert, and the southern Rocky Mountains, collecting ecological data and surveying for rare plant populations in isolated areas. When I’m not working, I really enjoy hiking, watching horror movies, or practicing photography.

Diego Pumarejo, Vegetation Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Assisting in vegetation monitoring protocols.
Active Projects: Integrated Uplands Vegetation, Spring Vegetation, White Pines, and Invasive Species Early Detection Monitoring
Education and Areas of Expertise: BA, Biology and Environmental Science, Minor in Geology, Miami University

This is my first season working for the MOJN Vegetation Monitoring crew. Prior to this, I worked as a seasonal fire effects monitor for the NPS Southern Plains Fire Group. In the months following graduation I worked a short season for the Appalachian Conservation Corps, primarily tree planting and removing invasive species. My journey into botany began as a student research assistant in Dr. Jonathan Bauer’s plant ecology lab. I assisted in the implementation and data collection of a long-term experiment investigating tallgrass prairie plant interactions with fungi and bacteria, working in the lab, greenhouse, and field. Having always been passionate about research and conservation, I am very grateful to be a small part in furthering our understanding of our nation's incredible public lands. In my free time I enjoy camping, baking, reading, and climbing.

Ellie Bucci, Assistant Vegetation Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Assisting in vegetation monitoring protocols.
Active Projects: Integrated Uplands Vegetation, Spring Vegetation, White Pines, and Invasive Species Early Detection Monitoring
Education and Areas of Expertise: BS Environmental Science and BA Spanish, University of North Carolina Wilmington

This is my first season working in the Mojave Desert Network! I am a seasonal intern with Conservation Legacy in the Scientists in Parks Program. Before this position, I was an assistant biological science technician for the Pacific Islands Network. There, I assisted in vegetation monitoring protocols in the wet forests of Kalaupapa National Historic Park. I am originally from central North Carolina and have enjoyed getting the opportunity to learn about different plants and ecosystems across the United States. On days off, I love playing beach volleyball, hiking in new places, and cooking.

Andrea Medina-Ramos, Vegetation Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Assisting in vegetation monitoring protocols.
Active Projects: Integrated Uplands Vegetation, Spring Vegetation, White Pines, and Invasive Species Early Detection Monitoring
Education and Areas of Expertise: BS, Biological Sciences with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

This will be my first season with MOJN, and I'm excited to be part of the team! As a Mojave Desert local (Las Vegas), the bulk of my field research has been in the area. After graduating, I worked with Dr. Scott Abella’s Conservation Ecology Lab and Dr. Nicole Pietrasiak’s Soil Microbial Ecology Lab. My experience includes field site data collection and lab work focused on seed bank studies, as well as extracting and uantifying soil microbial DNA. I’ve always had a passion for science and the outdoors, and I look forward to deepening my involvement in field research! In my free time I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, pickleball, crocheting, and collecting houseplants.

Lise Grace, Biological Science Technician

Primary Network Responsibilities: Publications, website, and science communication (shared with retired science communicator Linda Mutch)
Active Projects: Biannual MOJN newsletters; MOJN website; working with MOJN park web managers to add I&M content on their sites
Education and Areas of Expertise: MS, Environmental Science with emphasis in landscape ecology, Western Washington University; BA, Studio Art, Colorado College

I have worked with the Mojave Desert Network since the fall of 2012, remotely and in a part-time capacity. I have provided a range of support including GIS spatial analysis; report editing, formatting, and publication in the NPS Natural Resource Report Publication Series; website updates; and science communication support. My NPS career started in 2002 at North Cascades National Park, and in 2005, I joined my primary Inventory and Monitoring network, the North Coast and Cascades Network. Prior to the NPS, I worked in a variety of seasonal fieldwork positions with the US Forest Service and municipalities. I have always had a deep appreciation of the natural world and had a conservation ethic instilled by a family of outdoors lovers since a young age. I thoroughly enjoy experiencing the Mojave and Great Basin deserts—virtually—in my work with the Mojave Desert Network and the enthusiastic staff! When I’m not at work, I enjoy bicycling, backcountry skiing, birding, visiting other national parks, and hiking with my Texas rescue dog.