Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Fellowship Program

At Audubon Southwest, we seek science-based solutions to the biggest threats facing the region’s birds, other wildlife, habitats, and communities. We need sound science to tell us what birds need, and we believe that securing conservation wins tomorrow depends on fostering a young, diverse cohort of aspiring scientists today. 

That is why we offer our annual Appleton-Whittell Research Fellowships! Through this program, we offer support to early career scientists embarking on research with the potential to further Frank and Ariel Appleton’s founding mission of the Research Ranch—to leave the land better than we found it. Community engagement in science and conservation 

Past Appleton-Whittell Research Fellows: 

2025

•  Matt Jenkins – University of Arizona (Bluebirds) 
• Heaven Perez Sanchez – Arizona State University (Motus/Grassland Sparrows) 

2024 

• Laura Nicholson – Northern Arizona University (Emory Oak) 
• Emma Sudbeck – University of Arizona (American Bullfrogs) 
• Marcus Williams – Christopher Newport University (Ornate Tree Lizards) 

2023 

• Adriana Garcia Rivera – Northern Arizona University (Emory Oak) 
• Matt Jenkins – University of Arizona (Bluebirds) 
• Mia Brann – Northern Arizona University (Beardless Chinchweed) 

2022 

• Hillary Goodine – Arizona State University (Yellow Bluestem) 
• Grace O’Malley – Virginia Tech (Arizona Treefrog) 
• Yasser Almalki – New Mexico State University (Exotic lovegrasses) 
• Leonela Vasquez – University of Sonora (Native bees) 
• Zeinab Rose Haidar - California State Polytechnic University (Western and Eastern Red Bats) 

2018 

• Maggie Manatov – University of Tennessee (Dung beetles) 
• Nick Beauregard – Northern Arizona University (Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo) 

2017 

• Cheyenne J. Herzog – Arizona State University (Riparian mammals) 
• Caylee Falvo – Colorado State University (Uinta Ground Squirrel) 
• Dawson Brown – Christopher Newport University (Long-tailed Brush Lizard) 
• Anthony Gilbert – Ohio University (Ornate Tree Lizard) 

2016 

• Cynthia Morris – Christopher Newport University (Ornate Tree Lizard) 
• William Ternes – Christopher Newport University (Ornate Tree Lizard) 
• Anthony Gilbert – Ohio University (Ornate Tree Lizard) 

2015 

• Anthony Gilbert – Ohio University (Ornate Tree Lizard) 

2014 

• Kortney Jaworski – Christopher Newport University (Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard) 
• Sean Carter – Colorado College (Green Sunfish and Sonoran Mud Turtle) 

2013 

• Dr. Matthew Lattanzio – Ohio University (Lizards, habitat, and ecology) 
• Erik Andersen (Mesquite encroachment) 

2012 

• Pedro Mazier Chavarria – University of Arizona (Montezuma Quail) 

2010 

• Pedro Mazier Chavarria – Texas A&M University (Montezuma Quail) 

Thank you to the Research Ranch Foundation and the generous Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch community whose contributions make this award possible!