Dr. Todd Hass is an ornithologist known for his innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to studying birds. His research focuses on the ecology of petrels at sea. Todd earned his PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, studying animal communication and signal detection theory.
Todd helped found the Washington Ornithological Society. As a postdoctoral researcher and scientist at the University of Washington, he co-authored field guides and protocols for COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team), the world’s largest beached bird monitoring network.
For more than a decade, Todd has taught ecology and conservation science in the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, where he is an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs.
Todd is also a museum associate and affiliate curator of ornithology at UW’s Burke Museum. He maintains professional affiliations with the American Ornithological Society, the Pacific Seabird Group, and the Ornithological Council, where he represents BirdsCaribbean internationally.
Maureen McClung is a Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Hendrix College where she teaches courses in ecology, animal behavior, and conservation. Her research focuses on how wildlife communities respond to human disturbance, including land development, noise pollution, and ecological restoration. Supporting undergraduates as they explore field biology is at the center of her research and collaborations with partners such as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, and National Audubon Society. She has been running a MAPS bird banding station since summer 2020 and works to expand banding opportunities for students and conservation professionals in central Arkansas where these opportunities are uncommon.
Brian Washburn has served as one of the Raptor Research Foundation representatives on the Ornithological Council since 2023. He is currently a research wildlife biologist with the USDA, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center (and has been since 2003). Brian works with a variety of partners (e.g., US Fish and Wildlife Service, state wildlife agencies, NGOs) on efforts to understand and reduce raptor-human conflicts and to ensure the humane treatment of migratory birds. He is also an adjunct professor at several universities.
Brian holds a Ph. D. in Animal Sciences from the University of Kentucky, a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the Pennsylvania State University, and a B.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He lives on Lake Erie in Ohio with his family (including many furry children).
Clint Boal is leader of the U.S. Geological Surveys’ Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and research professor at Texas Tech University where he supervises graduate students. He has served as a president, board member, and other roles with the Raptor Research Foundation, and in other capacities with other ornithological and wildlife professional societies.
Clint is a veteran, and after his service received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Arizona and conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Minnesota. His research has focused primarily on conservation of birds of prey, but also other nongame bird, small mammals, and carnivores. He currently lives in Texas.
Dr. Feria joined the OC in 2013 while serving as the Co-Chair of CIPAMEX. Her research focuses on understanding species distribution using Ecological Niche Modeling and Geographic Information Systems. She is passionate about teaching and mentoring high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, mentoring about 110 students conducting research in her lab.
Her primary area of research is Global Change Ecology, focusing on endangered, invasive, and vector-borne disease species, habitat restoration, food security, and climate change. She has earned several recognitions, including the Outstanding International Female Faculty Award, the Faculty Excellence in Community Engagement Award, and the University of Texas (UT) System Regent’s Outstanding Teaching Award. More recently, she was inducted as a UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers Fellow, the most prestigious recognition at UT System.
Dr. Feria is the Director of the School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences. She is currently serving as the Chair of the Ornithological Council.
David Aborn is originally from the Washington, DC area, which is where he developed his interest in birds. That interest was turned into a passion when he took Ornithology at Clemson University with Dr. Sid Gauthreaux. David returned to Clemson for his Master’s degree where he studied American Kestrels. David went on for his Ph.D at the University of Southern Mississippi studying stopover biology with Dr. Frank Moore.
He is currently a Professor in the Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he has been studying the suitability of urban greenspaces at stopover sites, the breeding biology of Tree Swallows, and the wintering biology of Sandhill Cranes. David has authored over 25 papers and has supervised over 30 graduate students. He currently serves as one of the OC representatives for the Association of Field Ornithologists.
Laura Bies has served as the Executive Director for the Ornithological Council since 2020. Before that, she worked at The Wildlife Society for ten years in the government affairs department. During her time at The Wildlife Society, and sporadically since then (in a freelance) capacity, she also developed and led their Leadership Institute.
Laura has a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Delaware and a law degree from George Washington University, and has been working in the conservation policy/non-profit world for nearly 20 years. She lives in Maine with her family, where they enjoy spending lots of time outside, all year long.