Krysten Schuler

Faculty member

Department of Public & Ecosystem Health

Assistant Research Professor

CORNELL CENTER FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

CORNELL WILDLIFE HEALTH LAB

Department of Public & Ecosystem Health
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, NY 14853

Office: 607.253.3900
Email: ks833@cornell.edu

Research Interest

  • Infectious and parasitic diseases of free-ranging terrestrial wildlife
  • Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance and response
  • Disease risk assessment
  • Geographic epidemiology
  • Wildlife health database integration
  • Wildlife health education

Education

  • Ph.D. Biological Sciences, Area of Study -Wildlife Sciences in 2006 from South Dakota State University, Brookings SD
  • M.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology in 2002 from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK
  • B.S. Biological Sciences in 1998 from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame IN

Biography/Professional Experience

  • Present: Wildlife Disease Ecologist, Assistant Research Professor; Cornell University, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Ithaca NY
  • 2011-2019: Senior Extension Associate; Cornell University, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Ithaca NY
  • 2006-2011: Wildlife Disease Ecologist for the Field Investigation Team; U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison WI
  • 2002-2006 Research Assistant, South Dakota State University, Brookings SD
  • 1999-2002 Teaching Assistant, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK
  • 1998-1999 Research Assistant II, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Publications

  • Hanley, B.J., A.A. Dhondt, E.M. Bunting, M.A. Pokras, K.P. Hynes, M.J. Forzan, E. Dominguez-Villegas, and K.L. Schuler. 2022. Lead reduces growth and limits the resiliency of bald eagle populations. Journal of Wildlife Management. DOI:10.1002/jwmg22177

  • Hanson, M.*, N. Hollingshead, K. Schuler, W. Siemer, P. Martin, and E. Bunting. 2021. Species, causes, and outcomes of wildlife rehabilitation in New York State from 2012-2014. PlosONE. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257675

  • Zhu, S.*, E. Buckles, E. Bunting, K. Hynes, and K. Schuler. 2021. A predictive utility of causes of morbidity and mortality in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Wildlife Biology. DOI:10.2981/wlb.00860

  • Siemer, W.F., T.B. Lauber, H.E. Kretser, K.L. Schuler, M. Verant, C.J. Herzog, and K.A. McComas. 2020. Predictors of intentions to conserve bats among New York property owners. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. DOI:10.1080/10871209.2020.1817628

  • Schuler, K., M. Claymore, H. Schnitzler*, E. Dubovi, T. Rocke, M.J. Perry, D. Bowman, and R.C. Abbott. 2020. Sentinel coyote pathogen survey to assess declining black-footed ferret population in South Dakota. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. DOI:10.7589/JWD-D-20-00015

  • Thomas, N.,  C. L. White, J. Saliki, K. Schuler, D. Lynch, O. Nielsen, J. P. Dubey, S. Knowles. 2020. Canine distemper virus in the Washington State sea otter population. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-19-00008

  • Ableman, A., K. Hynes, K. Schuler, and A. Martin. 2019. Partnering with taxidermists for improved chronic wasting disease surveillance. Animals 9(1113) DOI:10.3390/ani9121113

  • Hanley, B., A. Dhondt, B. Dennis, and K. Schuler. 2019. Using time series data to assess recent population dynamics of Bald Eagles in the Northeast United States. Ecophere. DOI:/10.1002/ecs2.2963

  • Hanley, B., E. Bunting, and K. Schuler. 2019. How can we augment the few that remain? Using stable population dynamics to aid reintroduction planning. Peer J 7:e6873 DOI:10.7717/peerj.6873

  • Needle, D., V. Burnell, M. Forzan, E. Dubovi, K. Schuler, C. Bernier, N. Hollingshead, J. Ellis, B. Stevens, P. Tate, E. Anis, and R. Wilkes. 2019. Infection of eight mesocarnivores in New Hampshire and Vermont with a divergent clade of canine distemper in 2016-2017. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. DOI: 10.1177/1040638719847510.

  • Forzán, M., R. Renshaw, E. Bunting, E. Buckles, J. Okoniewski, K. Hynes, R. Melendez, A. Ableman, M. Laverack, M. Fadden, A. Dastjerdi, K. Schuler, and E. Dubovi. 2019. Novel orthoreovirus associated with epizootic necrotizing enteritis and splenic necrosis in American crows, Corvus brachyrhynchos. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 55(4):812-822. DOI:10.7589/2019-01-015

  • Song, H. K. McComas, and K. Schuler. 2018. Hunters' responses to urine-based scent bans tackling chronic wasting disease. The Journal of Wildlife Management 83(2)457-466. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21593

  • Song, H., K. McComas, and K. Schuler. 2018. Source effects on psychological reactance to regulatory policies: the role of trust and similarity. Science Communications 40(5):591-620. DOI: 10.1177/1075547018791293

  • Sasmal, I., N. P. Gould, K. L. Schuler, Y. F. Chang, A. Thachil, J. Strules, C. Olfenbuttle, S. Datta, and C. S. DePerno. 2018. Presence of leptospirosis in urban/suburban American black bears in western North Carolina. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases 55(1):74-83. DOI:10.7589/2017-10-263

  • Schuler, K. L. , J. A. Jenks, R. W. Klaver, and R. T. Bowyer. 2018. Chronic wasting disease detection and mortality sources in a semi-protected deer population. Wildlife Biology. DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00437

  • Schuler, K. L., B. C. Brewer, K. A. Mayer, C. Perez-Heydrich, P. M. Holahan, N. J. Thomas, and C. L. White. 2018. Redefining aging criteria for northern sea otters in Washington State. The Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management t 9(1):208–221; e1944-687X. DOI:10.3996/052017-JFWM-040

  • C. L. White, E. W. Lankau, D. Lynch, S. Knowles, K. L. Schuler, J. P. Dubey, V. I Shearn-Bochsler, M. Isidoro-Ayza, N. J. Thomas. 2018. Mortality trends in the Washington population of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) during 2002-2017. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases 54(2):238-247. DOI:10.7589/2017-05-122.

  • Peltier, S.K., J.D. Brown, M. Ternent, K.D. Niederinghaus, K. L. Schuler, E.M. Bunting, M. Kirchgessner, and M.J. Yabsley. 2017. Genetic Characterization of Sarcoptes scabiei from Black Bears (Ursus americanus) and Other Hosts in the Eastern United States. The Journal of Parasitology 103(5):593-597. DOI:10.1645/17-26

  • Alger, K., E. Bunting, K. Schuler, and C. Whipps. 2017. Evaluating risk factors for lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) in wild turkeys of New York State. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases. Accepted.

  • Decker, D., K.L. Schuler, M.A. Wild, and A. Forstchen. 2016. Wildlife health and public trust responsibilities for wildlife resources. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 52:775-784. DOI: 10.7589/2016-03-066
  • Lorch, J., S. Knowles, J. Lankton, K. Michell, J. Edwards, J. Kapfer, R. Staffen, E. Wild, K. Schmidt, A. Ballmann, D. Blodgett, T. Farrell, B. Glorioso, L. Last, S. Price, K. Schuler, C. Smith, J. Wellehan, Jr., D. Blehert. 2016. Snake Fungal Disease: An Emerging Threat to Wild Snakes. Submitted by invitation to Philosophical Transactions B. 371(1709). DOI:10.1098/rstb.2015.0457
  • Justice-Allen, A., K. Orr, T. G. Schwan, K. Schuler, C. Meteyer, K. McCarty, and K. Jacobson. 2016. Bald eagle nestling mortality due to tick parasitism and successful management with nest replacement. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 52:940-944.
  • Schuler, K. L, A. M. Wetterau, E. M. Bunting, and H. Mohammed. 2016. Exploring chronic wasting disease risk perception between wildlife and agriculture. Wildlife Society Bulletin 40(1):32–40; 2016; DOI: 10.1002/wsb.625
  • Decker, D., C. Smith, A. Forstchen, D. Hare, E. Pomeranz, C. Doyle-Capitman, K. Schuler, and J. Organ. 2016. Governance principles to guide wildlife conservation in the 21st Century. Conservation Letters DOI: 10.1111/conl.12211
  • Alger, K., E. Bunting, K. Schuler, J. Jagne, and C. Whipps. 2015. Diagnosing lymphoproliferative disease virus in live wild turkeys (Meleagris gallapavo) using whole blood. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 46:806-814.
  • Evans, T. S., K. L. Schuler, and W. D. Walter. 2014. Surveillance and monitoring of white-tailed deer for chronic wasting disease in the northeastern United States. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 5(2): fwma-05-02-07.3d.
  • Schuler, K. L. , G. Schroeder, J. A. Jenks, and J. G. Kie. 2014. Ad-hoc smoothing parameter performance in kernel estimates of GPS-derived home ranges. Wildlife Biology 20(5):259-266.
  • White, C. L., K. L. Schuler, N. Thomas, J. Webb. 2013. Pathogen exposure and blood chemistry in the Washington State population of northern sea otters. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 49(4):887-899. DOI: 10.7589/2013-03-053
  • Bildfell, R. J., W. K. Rumbeiha, K. L. Schuler, C. U. Meteyer, P. L. Wolff, and C. M. Gillin. 2013. A review of zinc phosphide toxicosis in wild geese (Branta spp.) in Oregon (2004-2011). Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 25: 162-167. DOI:10.1177/1040638712472499
  • Schuler, K. L. D. E. Green, A. E. Justice-Allen, R. Jaffe, M. Cunningham, N. J. Thomas, M. G. Spaulding, and H. S. Ip. 2012. Expansion of an exotic species and concomitant disease outbreaks: pigeon paramyxovirus in free-ranging Eurasian collared doves. EcoHealth. DOI: 10.1007/s10393-012-0758-6.
  • Burco, J., A. M. Myers, K. L. Schuler, and C. Gillin. 2012. Acute lead toxicosis via ingestion of spent ammunition in a free-ranging cougar (Puma concolor). The Journal of Wildlife Diseases 48(1):216-210.
  • Russell, D. M., C. S. Goldberg, L. Sprague, L. P. Waits, D. E. Green, K. L. Schuler, E. B. Rosenblum. 2011. Ranavirus outbreaks in amphibian populations of northern Idaho. Herpetological Review 42:223-225.
  • Schuler, K. L., D. M. Leslie, Jr., J. H. Shaw, and E. J. Maichak. 2006. Temporal-spatial distribution of bison (Bos bison) in a tallgrass prairie fire mosaic. Journal of Mammalogy 87(3):539-544.
  • Schuler, K. L., J. A. Jenks, C. S. DePerno, M. A. Wild, and C. S. Swanson. 2005. Tonsillar biopsy testing for chronic wasting disease: two approaches in deer. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41(4):820-824.
  • Maichak, E. J. and K. L. Schuler. 2004. Applicability of viewshed analysis to wildlife population estimation. American Midland Naturalist 152(2):277-285.
  • Maichak, E. J., K. L. Schuler, and M. E. Payton. 2004. Behavioral variation of bison on a tallgrass prairie. Prairie Naturalist 36(2):103-118.

Awards and Honors

  • 2022, Outstanding Professional, The New York State Chapter of The Wildlife Society
  • 2022, National Deer Association’s Professional Deer Manager of the Year
  • 2021, The Wildlife Society Fellows Award
  • 2020, Certificate of Appreciation, WHISPers Partner Work Team, U.S. Geological Survey – National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI.
  • 2019, Honorary Member, The Society of Phi Zeta, Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 
  • 2013, Outstanding Professional, The New York State Chapter of The Wildlife Society
  • 2010, USGS S.T.A.R. Award for authorship of Climate Change and Wildlife Health white paper
  • 2008, The Wildlife Society Leadership Institute Participant

Professional/Academic Affiliations

  • American Society of Mammalogists
  • The Wildlife Society
  • Wildlife Disease Association