Education
Current Masters Student in Wildlife Ecology
University of Maine
Expected graduation: Summer 2026
Thesis: Birds as Indicators of Forest Management Sustainability: Evaluation of Past and Future Survey Approaches
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology
University of Maine - Orono, ME
December 2022
GPA 3.9/4.0
Capstone: "Laysan Duck (Anas laysanensis) Use of Artificial Freshwater Sources on Midway Atoll"
Some Coursework (No Degree, Transferred)
Unity College - Unity, ME
GPA 3.8/4.0
Research Experience
University of Maine Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology
M.S. Thesis - Birds as Indicators of Forest Management Sustainability: Evaluation of Past and Future Survey Approaches
Committee: Dr. Amber Roth, Dr. Erin Simons-Legaard, Dr. Sydne Record
​​
University of Maine Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology
Advisors: Dr. Amber Roth, Dr. Erik Blomberg
-
Assessed critically endangered Laysan Duck use of artificial freshwater sources on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
-
Developed project goals and methods, conducted field work, data collection and analysis, and presented findings in a research paper
-
Analyzed variation in duck density and behavior through game camera images and linear models with R
-
Measured study area and created maps using Garmin GPS units and ArcGIS Pro
Professional Experience
Seasonal Research Assistant
Avon Park, Florida
March - May 2024
-
​Observed behavior to determine breeding status of Florida Grasshopper Sparrows
-
Identified subspecies of Grasshopper Sparrows through behavioral observation and visual differences
-
Resighted color-banded sparrows and Florida Scrub-Jays using binoculars, scopes, and cameras
-
Located nests through behavioral observations
-
Set up predator fences around sparrow nests
-
Conducted avian point counts in Florida grasslands
-
Collected field data using ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123
-
Manually assessed BirdNET identifications of ARU recordings using RavenPro
-
Set up and took down mist nets
-
Assisted in conducting prescribed burns through igniting vegetation using a drip torch, monitoring for presence of spot fires, and extinguishing smoldering debris
-
Maintained and operated 4WD trucks in a sandy environment
-
Provided photography of Florida flora and fauna and of staff for organization’s use
Grassland Bird Intern
Front Royal, VA
April - July 2023
-
Identified grassland bird species of Northern Virginia through sight and sound
-
Conducted early morning point count surveys
-
Generated territory maps of grassland birds through behavioral observations
-
Located grassland bird nests through rope dragging and behavioral observation
-
Monitored found nests weekly to determine nest status, fledgling age, and success
-
Deployed telemetry tags on fledglings and relocated using handheld and permanent receivers
-
Set up, took down, and stored mist nets
-
Extracted songbirds from mist nets
-
Measured wing chord, tail length, tarsus length, and weight of songbirds
-
Surveyed native and invasive grassland plant species
-
Measured vegetation using a Robel pole
-
Monitored American Kestrel nest boxes through cameras
-
Maintained good relations and communication with landowners and the public
-
Entered and proofed data through Microsoft Office
-
Worked together within a team, in pairs, and independently to complete tasks
-
Traversed several miles daily over uneven terrain in cold, hot, wet, and dusty conditions
-
Provided photography of grassland wildlife and of staff for organization’s use
Summer Refuge Biology Volunteer
Midway Atoll, US Minor Outlying Islands
March - September 2022
-
Handled and banded Laysan and Black-footed Albatross chicks and adults
-
Monitored albatross reproduction and survival through reproduction plots and band resighting
-
Monitored the critically endangered Laysan Duck population through weekly surveys and band resighting
-
Monitored and managed for botulism through weekly surveys, maintenance of freshwater sources, and searching for sick and dead birds
-
Took temperature and weight, administered fluids and antitoxin, and tube fed Laysan Ducks in rehabilitation
-
Monitored seabird and shorebird populations through weekly surveys and resights
-
Identified and conducted surveys of native and invasive Hawaiian plants
-
Assisted in native and endangered plant restoration through planting, seed collection and propagation
-
Maintained high quality of data while in the field, entering, and proofing
-
Traversed several miles daily while enduring a hot and humid tropical climate
-
Worked together with USFWS staff and independently to complete tasks
-
Provided photography and videos of wildlife, fish, environment, and people for USFWS use
-
Posted weekly field updates for Friends of Midway Atoll
Survey Field Technician
Penobscot Experimental Forest, ME
May - August 2021
-
Conducted territory mapping surveys of Maine forest birds
-
Identified Maine forest birds by sight and sound
-
Independently navigated using a Garmin GPS unit in difficult forest terrain
Point Count Technician
Orono, ME
April - August 2021
-
Independently conducted weekly point count surveys of Maine forest and wetland birds
-
Identified Maine forest and wetland birds by sight and sound
-
Mapped point count locations using a Garmin GPS unit
Seabird Research Technician
Ship Island, Tremont, ME
May - August 2020
-
Nest searched for, weighed, and banded Common Tern chicks
-
Monitored nest success and survival through reproduction plots and predation surveys
-
Conducted provisioning watches and identified prey items
-
Re-sighted bands and entered band data into Bandit
-
Set up and maintained conibear, foothold, and Swedish goshawk traps for predator control
-
Conducted vegetation surveys of native and invasive Maine plants
-
Managed and maintained the island with one other crew member
-
Posted bi-monthly blog post updates of field work for Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge
SciCORPS Museum Interpreter
New Haven, CT
October 2016 - July 2019
-
Interpreted natural history exhibits to visitors of varying ages and backgrounds
-
Led educational activities and crafts with visitors
-
Created a nature-based curriculum for a summer camp for middle school students
Presentations
Ulsamer, P., Roth, A., and Simons-Legaard, E. (2025, August 11-15). Assessing Timber Management Sustainability in the Acadian Forest through Long-term Forest Bird Monitoring [Oral Presentation]. American Ornithological Society 2025, St. Louis, MO, United States.
​
Ulsamer, P., Roth, A., and Simons-Legaard, E. (2025, December 5). Forest Management Effects on Songbirds [Oral Presentation]. Maine Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Winter Meeting and Wildlife Research Symposium, Orono, ME, United States.
​
Ulsamer, P., Roth, A., and Simons-Legaard, E. (2024, December 6). Forest Bird response to Forest Silviculture [Oral Presentation]. Maine Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Winter Meeting and Wildlife Research Symposium, Orono, ME, United States.
​
Ulsamer, P., Roth, A., and Blomberg, E. (2024, October 1-5). Layan Duck (Anas laysanensis) Use of Artifical Freshwater Sources on Midway Atoll [Poster Presentation]. American Ornithological Society 2024, Estes Park, CO, United States.
Honors & Awards
Robert I. Ashman Award
Awarded annually to an outstanding senior in Wildlife Ecology. Criteria for selection includes character, judgement, scholarly attributes, and devotion to the professions in wildlife ecology as well as to the welfare of their colleagues.
UMaine - 2022
Dean's List
GPA of 3.50 or higher for the semester
UMaine - Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Fall 2022
Edward C. and Grace A. Cutting Merit Scholarship
Awarded by the University of Maine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture
UMaine - 2022
James E. Totman Fund
Awarded by the University of Maine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture
UMaine - 2022
1989 Ernest Morse Scholarship
Awarded by the Penobscot County Conservation Association
UMaine - 2022
1988 William Gagnon Scholarship
Awarded by the Penobscot County Conservation Association
UMaine - 2022
Highest Honors
GPA of 3.75 or higher for the semester
Unity College - Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Spring 2020
High Honors
GPA of 3.50 - 3.74 for the semester
Unity College - Spring 2019
Volunteering
Maine Bird Atlas Volunteer
Maine
2020 - 2022
-
Conducted breeding bird surveys across the state of Maine
-
Identified 222 species by sight and sound
-
Uploaded data to eBird
Wildlife Museum Assistant Volunteer
Unity College
Unity, ME
January 2018 - March 2020
-
Created bird and small mammal study skins for the collection
-
Repaired damage on existing study skins
-
Organized specimens within the collection
Organizations
Member, September 2020 - Present
Member, 2024 - Present
Member, April 2021 - Present
Member, September 2020 - December 2022
Unity College Birding Club
Vice President, January 2018 - August 2020
