Jeronimo Silva received his B.S. in Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech and M.S. in Agricultural Sciences from Tennessee State University. Jeronimo has collaborated with researchers and conservation managers throughout the Southeast, contributing to a variety of field and laboratory research projects. These projects have encompassed a wide spectrum of species and ecosystems including federally endangered species and critical habitat areas. His primary research projects incorporate landscape ecology, habitat and occupancy modeling, and aquatic wildlife health and disease. Prior to joining UTCVM to pursue his PhD, Jeronimo served as an aquatic biologist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. In this capacity, his main focus was on the execution of strategic, landscape-level conservation projects and programs, designed to systematically enhance aquatic wildlife habitats. Jeronimo also holds certifications as a Conservation Planner and State Technical Service Provider through the USDA and is recognized as a certified Associated Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society.