Zacharaih MadsenResearch Associate

Zach worked at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Crested Butte, CO, during his senior year as an undergraduate and continued there for another year after graduation. He utilized drones and GIS to create remote sensing imagery, studying the effects of microtopography on plant phenotypic plasticity. Following this, he pursued a Master’s in Conservation Biology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where he researched alpine plant communities. His work focused on plant survival strategies across gradients of snow and solar exposure, establishing connections between terrain, snow, shrubs, and herb cover/richness. He developed a comprehensive causal network to illustrate both direct and indirect effects. After earning his degree, Zach joined the ECOSS team in the Mack/Walker lab as a research associate and lab manager. In this role, he oversees lab procedures, supports undergraduate and graduate students with their academic and professional projects, and coordinates BNZ community and management meetings. He also assists with data processing and management. Additionally, Zach is preparing to take over future drone projects, contributing to the production of high-quality maps for further spatial analysis.