The Burgess Lab of Urban Ecology

I grew up in the suburbs of MN, FL, TN, and MS with an interest in the wildlife around me. I followed this interest into a B.S. degree in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. I also earned my Associate Wildlife Biologist® certification from The Wildlife Society. I went on to graduate school at North Carolina State University to pursue a Ph.D. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. After completing my dissertation, I became a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University.  My work extends past ornithology and ecology research.  I am also an advocate for field safety in the natural sciences as an aspect of accessibility and inclusion. In 2022, I co-founded a nonprofit, Field Inclusive, which amplifies and supports marginalized and historically excluded field biologists. I am also a children's author with both self-published work and a children's STEM series with Little, Brown Young Readers. In my free time, I enjoy reading, birding, photography, video games, and snuggling with my dog, Loki.

Tabbytha Spyrison was born in Chicago and grew up close by Roger's Park, in Evanston, IL. She graduated from Warren Wilson College in December 2022, with a B.S. in biology and a B.A. in creative writing. Her research interests include passerine birds and how they adapt to our changing world. She loves to read, write and run in her free time and her favorite bird is the Carolina Chickadee.

Growing up in Puerto Rico and driven by a deep curiosity about the environment, I earned my B.S. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University, where I proudly serve as a graduate assistant. My research focuses on how urbanization impacts bird communities in southeastern campuses, a vital area of study as we navigate the challenges of conserving species in increasingly urbanized environments. My time as a wildlife technician with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources sparked my passion for conservation; I worked on treating invasive species, surveying gopher tortoises, habitat restoration projects and conducting prescribed burns, these experiences deepened my commitment to protecting our natural resources. In my free time, I enjoy bird banding, going to concerts, hanging out with friends, and taking walks—whether at the beach or in the forest—always seeking to connect with both nature and community.