Wendy Schelsky
Principal Research Scientist And Project Manager
Savoy
Summary
Principal Scientist and Team Leader with significant experience in biodiversity research methodologies, data analysis, and project management. Strong team collaborator committed to conservation of biodiversity. Proficient in field and laboratory techniques, statistical analysis, and scientific writing. Known for reliability, strong problem-solving skills, and effective communication in collaborative environments.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
6
6
Certifications
1
1
Language
Work History
Principal Research Scientist and Program Leader
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
01.2017 - Current
- Led process optimization efforts, resulting in reduced costs and increased productivity in field operations.
- Mentored junior researchers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
- Evaluated emerging scientific trends to identify potential new areas of growth within the Program's research portfolio.
- Streamlined project management processes for increased efficiency and timely completion of research projects.
- Initiated and executed strategic plans to drive research innovation.
- Coordinated with regulators to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental laws, guidelines, and standards throughout the course of research projects.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to advance novel solutions to pressing scientific challenges.
- Championed the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and tools for enhanced research capabilities within the organization.
- Managed relationships with external partners and state and federal agenciesto maximize opportunities for collaborative projects or resource sharing agreements.
- Promoted a culture of open communication among team members, fostering collaboration and innovation throughout the department.
- Implemented quality control measures that reduced errors in data collection methods.
- Published findings in leading scientific journals, raising the profile of the institution's research capabilities.
- Streamlined research processes to meet tight deadlines for multiple projects.
- Oversaw and developed biodiversity research projects and advanced monitoring techniques.
- Led an integrated project team in highly collaborative work environment.
- Conducted document review, organization and quality control of data acquisition and reports to streamline deliverables while maximizing high-quality research products.
- Followed strict safety protocols, protecting staff and assets while carrying out lab procedures and field research protocols.
- Conferred with scientists, engineers and regulators to provide technical assistance.
- Analyzed data collected from surveys to identify potential threats to biological life.
Biological Surveys Coordinator
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
10.2014 - 12.2016
- Company Overview: Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey
- Serve as co-PI of the IDOT Biological Surveys Program and coordinate staff to satisfy obligations for all IDOT biological surveys taskings and reports, corresponding with IDOT when needed regarding questions and/or concerns.
- Complete avian surveys and write technical reports.
- Co-manager of 30+ yearlong behavioral ecology study on Prothonotary Warblers and Brown-headed Cowbirds in southern Illinois.
- Manager of molecular lab coordinating multiple projects using various molecular ecology techniques.
- Conduct independent research, publish manuscripts, mentor students, and give presentations at scientific meetings.
- Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey
Avian Ecologist
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
07.2012 - 10.2014
- Company Overview: Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey
- Responsible for threatened and endangered species bird surveys and habitat and environmental assessments for locations throughout Illinois with proposed Illinois Department of Transportation development projects.
- Co-manager of long-term behavioral ecology studies on Prothonotary Warblers and Brown-headed Cowbirds in southern Illinois.
- Manager of molecular lab coordinating multiple projects using various molecular ecology techniques.
- Conduct independent research, publish manuscripts, mentor students, and give presentations at scientific meetings.
- Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey
Post-doctoral Research Associate
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
01.2011 - 07.2012
- Company Overview: Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey
- Responsible for screening microsatellites and conducting population genetics and parentage analyses for study of Illinois Endangered Redspotted Sunfish to evaluate captive broodstock genetic diversity and mating success for captive reared sunfish.
- Write technical reports for grant deliverables.
- Conduct independent research, publish manuscripts, and give presentations at scientific and agency meetings.
- Prairie Research Institute, Illinois Natural History Survey
Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant
University of Florida
01.2003 - 12.2007
Graduate Research Fellow
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
01.2000 - 12.2003
Education
Ph.D. - Zoology
University of Florida
Gainesville, FloridaMaster of Science - Biology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences, Zoology
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado 05.2001 -
Skills
Project Support
Time management
Problem-solving abilities
Multitasking
Decision-making
Effective communication
Organizational skills
Scientific writing
Collaborative research
Teaching and mentoring
Statistical modeling
Laboratory techniques and management
Research planning and methods
Honors Awards Professional Development
- Emerging Research Leaders Academy, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2024-01-01
- Leading EDGE Certificate, Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois, 2023-01-01
- Elected Member, American Ornithological Society, 2022-01-01
- National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship, 2000-01-01 to 2004-01-01
- University Graduate Fellow, University of Illinois, Department of Animal Biology, 1999-01-01 to 2000-01-01
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 50 staff and student members.
- Achieved improved efficiency and accountability by introducing new project tracking protocols for environmental assessments and biodiversity inventory tasks.
- Collaborated with team of 15 in the development of TREC-Transportation Review for Environmental Compliance software.
- Designed and implemented process improvements to decrease project reporting time and deliverables by 60 days.
- Designed a process to improve compliance with University of Illinois and Illinois Department of Transportation and pass financial and inventory audits.
- Provided recommendations for over 100 annual transportation infrastructure projects on best management practices and priority protections for threatened and endangered species and high-quality natural areas.
Affiliations
- The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Certification
Emerging Research Leaders Academy Graduate
Honors, Awards, and Grants
Honors/Awards
- 2024-2025 Emerging Research Leaders Academy, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
- 2023 Leading EDGE Certificate, Parkland College, Champaign, Illinois
- 2022 Elected Member, American Ornithological Society
- 2000-2004 National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship1999-2000 University Graduate Fellow, University of Illinois, Department of Animal Biology
FUNDING HISTORY, total since 2010, $22.8 million
2025
- $2,450,000-PI, “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY2025", Illinois Department of Transportation
2024
- $48,750-Co-PI “IDOT Special Management Areas Environmental Impact Needs Assessment, R27-SP69, Illinois Center for Transportation, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
- $48,733-Co-PI “Avoiding and Minimizing Impacts to Aquatic Resources Through Construction Design Standards, R27-SP67, Illinois Center For Transportation, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
- $2,400,000- PI “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY2024”, Illinois Department of Transportation
2023
- $36,000-PI “Endangered Species Mitigation Needs Assessment”, Illinois Center for Transportation, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- $2,800,000 – PI “Development, Integration, and Implementation of a New Illinois Department of Transportation Web-based Environmental Survey Request and Tracking System”, Illinois Department of Transportation
- $2,400,000 – PI “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY 2023”, Illinois Department of Transportation
2022
- $1,900,000 – PI “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY 2022” , Illinois Department of Transportation
2021
- $1,900,000 – PI “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY 2021”, Illinois Department of Transportation
- $300,000 PI “Inventory, Stewardship, & Monitoring of Species of Greatest Conservation Need: Starved Rock Area”. State Wildlife Grant T-131-R-1 Grant, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
2020
- $1,900,000 – PI “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY 2020”, Illinois Department of Transportation
2019
- $1,425,000 – PI “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY 2019”, Illinois Department of Transportation
2018
- $1,900,000 – PI “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY 2018”, Illinois Department of Transportation
- $35,000 – PI- “Monitoring Success of Greater Prairie-Chicken Translocations in Illinois” – Pittman-Robertson grant W-175-R-3, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
2017
- $250,000 – Co-PI - “Wild Turkey Responses to Forest Management-segment 43” – Pittman- Robertson grant W-183-R-4, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
$1,900,000 – Co-PI “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY 2017”, Illinois Department of Transportation
2016
- $116,204 – Co-PI - “Recovery of Greater Prairie-Chickens in Illinois-supplement” – State Wildlife Grant T-85-D-1, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- $215,000 – Co-PI - “Wild Turkey Responses to Forest Management-segment 3” – Pittman- Robertson grant W-183-R-3, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- $20,000 – Co-PI – “Wild Turkey Responses to Forest Management-segment 2 supplement”— Pittman-Robertson grant W-183-R-2, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
2015
- $1,895,370 – Co-PI “IDOT Statewide Biological Survey and Assessment Program FY 2016”, Illinois Department of Transportation
- $58,000 – PI – “Monitoring Success of Greater Prairie-Chicken Translocations in Illinois” – Pittman-Robertson grant W-175-R-2, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- $200,000 – Co-PI- “Wild Turkey Responses to Forest Management” – Pittman-Robertson grant W-183-R-2, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
2014
- $105,000 – PI – “Monitoring Success of Greater Prairie-Chicken Translocations in Illinois” – Pittman-Robertson grant W-175-R-1 & W-175-R-1A, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- $4,385 – PI – “Understanding Mate Preferences of Female Translocated Greater Prairie- Chickens in Illinois” – Wildlife Preservation Fund, Large Grants 15-L12W, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
2013
- $250,000 – Co-PI- “Wild Turkey Responses to Forest Management” – Pittman-Robertson grant W-183-R-1, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- $247,080 – Co-PI- “Recovery of Greater Prairie-Chickens in Illinois” – State Wildlife Grant T-85- D-1, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
2012
- $15,000 – Co-PI - “Effects of bottomland forest restoration on breeding birds, Year 3”- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- $15,000 Co-PI-“Effects of bottomland forest restoration on breeding birds, Year 3”, Nature Conservancy
- $2500 – IDOT small research fund award, Illinois Department of Transportation
Graduate School Awards, 2000-2010
- $500 - Student Travel Award, AFO/COS/WOS joint meeting, 2010
- $2,300 - Carnes Research Award, American Ornithologist Union, 2002, 2005
- $500 - Departmental Research Funds, University of Florida, Department of Zoology, 2005
- $1,200 - Clark Research Grant, University of Illinois, 2003
- $600 - Banks Award for Research in Animal Behavior, University of Illinois,2002
- $2,000 - Program in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Summer Research Grant, University of Illinois, 2002
- $2,000 - Program in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Summer Research Grant, University of Illinois, 2002
- $5,000 - Graduate College Travel Dissertation Grant, University of Illinois, 2001
- $80,000 - National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 2000 - 2004
- $1,200 - Frank M. Chapman Fund Grant, American Museum of Natural History, 2000
- $16,000 - University Fellow, Department of Animal Biology, University of Illinois, 1999
Timeline
University Ethics Training
10-2025
University Title IX Training
09-2025
Emerging Research Leaders Academy Graduate
05-2025
University Laboratory Safety Training
01-2025
University Animal Care and Use Training
05-2024
Leading EDGE Certificate
12-2023
Principal Research Scientist and Program Leader
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
01.2017 - Current
Biological Surveys Coordinator
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
10.2014 - 12.2016
Avian Ecologist
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
07.2012 - 10.2014
Post-doctoral Research Associate
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
01.2011 - 07.2012
Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant
University of Florida
01.2003 - 12.2007
Master of Science - Biology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences, Zoology
Colorado State University
05.2001 -
Graduate Research Fellow
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
01.2000 - 12.2003
Ph.D. - Zoology
University of Florida