Wildlife Biologist
My name is Gael Sanchez
Since 2010 I have been pursuing my love of wildlife across the US in my career as a Wildlife Biologist. Join me in my adventures!
Note: The bear pictured above is asleep!
My Education
In 2014, after 4 years of hard work as a student-athlete, I obtained my bachelor’s of Conservation Ecology from New Mexico State University.
I spent the next 2 years traveling the country as a seasonal technician. This helped me to gain experience and identify my interests.
I then obtained Master’s of Wildlife and Range Science from the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2019. My thesis used genetics to predict the potential spread of CWD through Texas mule deer and map mutations in the prion protein gene.
I spent one more year doing seasonal positions in the lower peninsula of Michigan before getting a full time position as a Wildlife Biologist for a tribe in the Upper Peninsula for 4 years before taking time for maternity leave. We’ll see what comes next!
Experience
Lead Inland Wildlife Biologist
Bay Mills Indian Community
(2019-2023)
Manage wildlife in the 1836 ceded territory with the state, feds, and other tribal biologists.
Adjunct Professor
Lake Superior State University
(Spring and Fall 2020)
Field Biology lab, Restoration Ecology.
Lead Natural Resources Technician
Oakland County Parks and Recreation
(March 2019-July 2019)
Invasive species control.
CWD Technician
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
(September 2018-January 2019)
Chronic Wasting Disease check station technician. Collection of hunter harvest samples.
Graduate Assistant
Texas A&M University-Kingsville (CKWRI)
(January 2016-August 2018)
Mule deer genetics and CWD
Environmental Educator
University of Georgia-Rock Eagle 4H Center
(September 2015-December 2015)
Environmental education and outreach. Care and training of raptors.
Bear/Mule Deer Intern
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
(May 2015-September 2015)
Capture, processing, and monitoring of mule deer neonates and black bears.
Wolf Volunteer Technician
USFWS-Alpine Field Office-Arizona
(September 2014-April 2015)
Tracking, monitoring, managing, capturing, and processing Mexican gray wolves.
Wolf Volunteer Technician
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
(June 2014-August 2014)
Tracking and monitoring wolves.
National Science Foundation Intern (Research Education for Undergraduates)
University of Idaho
CRISSP
(June-August 2013)
Studied the effects of temperature on behavior in Eastern Cottontail and Pygmy Rabbits.
Lab Research Assistant
New Mexico State University Main Campus
(October 2012-December 2013)
Data entry and data analysis.
Lab of Dr. Timothy Wright
Biological Technician
Bureau of Land Management: Rio Puerco Field Office
(May 2012-August 2012)
Assisted in building and upkeep of wildlife exclosures, park maintenance, information collection, and prairie dog relocation.
NOTE:
Early on in my career I worked volunteer positions (pay was between $15-20/day). I realize now that I was extremely privileged to be able to have this kind of position due to a lack of debt or any need to support family members. I now realize that these positions are very harmful to our career, not only often to the mental and physical health of those who work them (lack of time off, being expected to work in conditions that paid employees are not expected to/allowed to) but also are barriers to diversity within our field. There are many who wish to work in positions such as these, since they are often with desirable/big name species (wolves, bears, cats, etc.) but cannot afford to. We as a field should be paying all of our interns/technicians for all of the work that they do at a fair hourly rate.
