Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology, University of Montana, 2025
M.S. in Environmental Science, Yale University’s School of the Environment, 2015
Biography
Tara received her Ph.D. in 2025 from the University of Montana in wildlife biology and her Master’s in Environmental Science from Yale University’s School of the Environment. With fifteen years of experience across government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academia, she has contributed to conservation initiatives in over 25 countries. Her professional background includes leading high-altitude snow leopard research in Tajikistan with Panthera and directing regional wildlife conflict and private lands programs for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Tara’s doctoral research examined the effects of climate change on northern large herbivores. She also specializes in applying conflict transformation and decision science to foster resilience in shared landscapes. Tara is an alumna of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program and co-founder of a Yale scholarship for conservation leadership. She serves on the advisory council for Soft Landing Missoula, mentors students through the Yale alumni network, and enjoys playing soccer and exploring wild places with her two children.
