Pigg Lab

About 

The Pigg lab has two research foci: wildlife ecology and education.  

Within wildlife ecology, we’re interested in identifying predictive variables of species occurrence, abundance and movement patterns and in monitoring known vectors of wildlife and human disease (e.g., ticks). We also investigate human perceptions of wildlife and how those perceptions affect wildlife conservation efforts or human well-being. Our lab partners with various organizations throughout Louisville to monitor wildlife populations and improve urban areas for wildlife and humans.  

Within education, we explore the efficacy of different interventions and approaches. We monitor learning gains, as well as changes in self-efficacy, motivation, sense of belonging in STEM and other attitudinal variables. We’re interested in identifying strategies to improve undergraduate education, as well as professional development designed for faculty and future faculty. Our lab partners with both local and national initiatives to create and assess curricula, with the long-term aim of improving retention and diversity in STEM. 

Key Research Areas

• wildlife ecology & conservation
• human dimensions of wildlife management
• applied ecology
• undergraduate education
• professional learning approaches 

Team 

Rachel M. Pigg, Assistant Professor

rachel.pigg@louisville.edu | View Research Profile

• Mallory Harmel, Ph.D. candidate
  • mallory.harmel@louisville.edu
• Emma Thorneburg, Ph.D. student
  • emma.throneburg@louisville.edu
• Jackson Schleff, Ph.D. student
  • edward.schleff@louisville.edu
• Doris Hoffman, M.S. student
  • doris.proctor@louisville.edu
• Maddy Middleton, M.S. student
  • madison.middleton@louisville.edu