Ph.D. Student
I am interested in ungulate ecology in human-dominated landscapes. My dissertation research is investigating the spatial ecology and population dynamics of elk occupying fragmented landscapes of western Nebraska. Specifically, I seek to better understand how space use, behavior, and survival of elk in this region is influenced by predator-prey dynamics and human disturbance. With this work, I hope to improve our ability to monitor and manage elk populations in Nebraska. Prior to joining the Benson lab, my master’s work with Dr. Brock McMillan at Brigham Young University explored reproduction and dispersal of mule deer throughout the state of Utah.
Education
MS: Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation, Brigham Young University, Provo UT
BS: Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation, Brigham Young University, Provo UT
Publications
Lamb S., Taylor A.M, Hughes T.A., McMillan, B.R., Larsen R.T., Khan D., Weisz R., Dudchenko O., Aiden E.L., Edelman, N.B. Frandsen, P.B. 2021. De novo chromosome-length assembly of the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) genome. Gigabyte 1
Turnley, M.T., Larsen, R.T., Hughes, T.A., Hunton, M.S., Sallee, D.W., Hersey, K.D., McMillan, B.M. 2022. Are opportunistic captures of neonate ungulates biasing relative estimates of litter size? Animal Biotelemetry. 10:38.
Personal website: https://tabbyhughes98.wixsite.com/website
BENSON LAB 