Disabilities, Neurodivergence, and Allyship Working Group

Jennifer is a wildlife disease biologist with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from Texas State University and a Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Science–Pathobiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has experience in wildlife rehabilitation, zoological animal care, specimen curation and veterinary diagnostic research. These interdisciplinary experiences inform her research interests, focused on emerging infectious diseases in wildlife, spillover into zoologic, domestic and commercial animal populations, and the use of natural history museum biorepositories to inform disease surveillance and One Health research.

Jennifer also serves as a consultant, providing strategic guidance to several organizations that work to promote awareness of and develop treatments for visible and invisible disabilities.

As a neurodivergent professional, she is committed to amplifying voices from underrepresented groups in science. She believes it’s important to recognize the unique insights, strengths and resilience that individuals with diverse physical, learning or medical disabilities bring to wildlife biology. She looks forward to collaborating with others to build a supportive network where all wildlife professionals and students are valued, empowered and able to contribute to the field.

Melissa is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan-Flint, where she teaches wildlife biology and forest ecology, and is an active member of The Wildlife Society. She is a landscape ecologist who studies threatened and endangered wildlife, wildlife responses to forestry, climate change impacts and urban ecology. As an AuDHDer, Melissa is dedicated towards learning and advocating for everyone. She hopes to help the working group grow and become more involved within TWS. 

“We cannot save the planet without uplifting the voices of its people― especially those most often unheard.” ― Leah Thomas, The Intersectional Environmentalist. How To Dismantle Systems Of Oppression To Protect People + Planet

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/@mstarking.bsky.social

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-starking-6b096067

Website: starkinglab.org

Drew Ann White-Jacobson is a Desert Tortoise Biologist with the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands – Las Vegas, a sector of Colorado State University. Raised in the intermountain West, Drew grew up surrounded by wilderness and nature. Her degrees from Utah State University (B.S.) and Tarleton State University (M.S.) and professional opportunities allowed her to focus on conservation of sensitive species and their habitats. As a Dyslexic, and mother of two Autistics Drew has worked to represent and advocate for the neurodiverse and disability community. She believes strongly in the power of compassion and lifelong learning as we build a stronger more inclusive academic and professional community.

Kerry Griffis-Kyle is a wildlife and wetland ecologist who loves roaming the deserts and working to improve how we manage biodiversity and other natural resources as a professor in the Department of Natural Resources Management at Texas Tech University. The very nature of her work, her neurodiversity and her membership in other underrepresented groups, has led her to recognize that diversity, whether biodiversity or human diversity, is critical for creating innovative, inclusive and successful initiatives. 

Email: ke****************@*tu.edu 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GriffisKyle 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkgkttu/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-griffis-kyle-81910b19/

Madi is a Graduate Research Assistant at Sul Ross State University studying black bear movement ecology. She holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana. Raised outdoors, Madi’s early experiences in nature inspired her career in wildlife conservation.

Following a spinal cord injury in 2025, she is dedicated to expanding meaningful opportunities for people with physical disabilities within a traditionally fieldwork-focused profession. She believes that, with some extra work, individuals with physical differences can participate fully in the outdoor experiences that inspire careers in wildlife science. Madi is committed to demonstrating that passion and dedication thrive regardless of physical limitations and that opportunities exist in the field – not just behind a desk.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-vastine-22013b259/?skipRedirect=true

Grace Soechting is an Associate Wildlife Biologist® and graduate researcher at Tarleton State University who studies animal behavior and conservation, with a particular focus on giraffe feeding ecology at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. She is Deaf and brings lived experience with accessibility to her work, strengthening her commitment to making wildlife research, fieldwork and science communication more inclusive and effective. She believes that diversity–both in ecosystems and among people is essential for building innovative and successful approaches to conservation and natural resource management

Joy is an early-career wildlife professional having worked heavily with several federal agencies in the rugged deserts of New Mexico and the breathtaking mountains of Colorado. Her lifelong love for animals has been the neverending fuel that has fed the fire of pursuing the next opportunity and her neurodiversity has played a role along the way. She hopes to make a positive impact on the wildlife community and beyond by showing kindness, compassion and understanding to all.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-h-b16014202?trk=people-guest_people_search-card