Marie Perkins

Bio

Growing up in Michigan, I was always interested in wildlife and the outdoors. As an undergraduate, I spent a summer as an intern at Seney National Wildlife Refuge (in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula) and developed a love for birds and wetlands. These interests have been the driving force behind my career path. I am a broadly trained wildlife ecologist with interests in conservation biology, wetland ecology, ornithology, toxicology, and environmental health. I have experience working in academia and for both governmental and non-profit organizations.

Experiences and Interests

Teaching Experience

• Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (August 2019-Present)
• Teaching Fellow, Harvard University (Fall 2018)
• Instructor of Record, McGill University (Fall 2014)
• Teaching Assistant, McGill University (Fall 2013-Spring 2014)

Research Experience

I incorporate both laboratory experiments and field research to investigate contaminant exposure in wildlife and humans. My research focuses on mercury because it is a global environmental contaminant that poses a significant threat to the health of humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Overall, my research aims to determine patterns in mercury exposure across the landscape and over time in birds of conservation concern, understand how biomarker tissue concentrations relate to environmental and individual health risks and develop innovative methods for studying wildlife.

Learn more about my research here

Professional Experience

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (2017-2019)  
• Research Associate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (2012-2013)
• Shorebird and Rail Program Manager, Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, ME (2010-2012)
• Research Biologist, Jaya Corporation, Consultant at U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Wetlands and Coastal Ecology Branch, Vicksburg, MS (2008-2010)

Professional Memberships

• The Wildlife Society (2008-Present), Vice-chair Wildlife Toxicology Working Group
• Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society (2019-Present), Diversity Committee member
• Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2013, 2016-Present)
• American Ornithological Society (2016-Present)