D a v i d R u s s e l l (Field Research) 

David E . Russell received his BS in Entomology from

University of California /Davis and his Masters and

Doctorate in Molecular Systematics from Miami

University in Oxford, Ohio. A faculty member at Miami

University for over 25 years, he teaches a number o f

courses including Intro Biology, Ornithology and

Entomology. A Federally licensed Master Bird Bander

and a North American Banding Council Certified Bander Trainer, he is the co-founder and Research/Education Director for the Avian Research and Education Institute (AREI), a nonprofit bird conservation, education, and

advocacy organization. AREI has bird banding stations in nearby Ohio's Miami Valey that serve as both research and outdoor classrooms giving local college and community members first-hand experience with birds. A recent transplant to Franklin Co (from Union Co), Dave is excited to apply his, and his teams, skils to inventory and shared the wonders of Indiana wildlife heritage and help shepherd i n a long-term appreciation and conservation of the local wildlife.

Tom S w i n f o r d (Project Advisor)

Tom Swinford is a retired conservation biologist who

previously held a leadership role at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He possesses extensive experience in federal, state, and non-profit organizations. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Purdue University at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. He also participated in an exchange program at Saint Louis University-Madrid and completed graduate coursework at Indiana University Bloomington.

Throughout his career, Tom Swinford has been committed to public service, focusing on the protection and restoration of natural areas, waterways, rare

species, and historical sites. He has consistently engaged in projects that intertwine cultural and natural history. His leadership has been instrumental in

significant conservation initiatives statewide, including Prophetstown State Park, the Sam Shine Foundation Outbrook Ravine Initiative, and the establishment of Indiana's largest nature preserve, the 3,300-acre Ten O'Clock Line Nature Preserve. He has successfully led fundraising campaigns that have generated millions of dollars for conservation efforts. Tom values collaborative partnerships that yield substantial collective impacts.His interests span archaeology, history, travel, nature writing, music, and public speaking.

Jennifer Profitt ( Day to Day Operations-Grants)

Livia Wilz Brier (Research and Family Relations)

Livia Wilz Brier has a wealth of experience in research and teaching. Livia Wilz began their career in 2006 as an Undergraduate Researcher at Indiana University Bloomington, where they also served as an Undergraduate Associate Instructor and a Peer Tutor. From 2009 to 2016, they were a Graduate Student Researcher, Graduate Student Instructor, and Mentor at UC Berkeley. During this time, they presented their work at conferences through seminars and posters, and received an NSF GRFP Honorable Mention. In 2016, they became a Postdoctoral Associate at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at UC Berkeley and a Director of Non Clinical Research at Valitor, Inc. Livia Wilz Brier earned their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley between 2009 and 2015. Prior to that, they obtained a B.S. in Biochemistry from Indiana University Bloomington between 2005 and 2009. Livia Wilz also attended Franklin County High School from 2001 to 2005.