Garrett is a quantitative ecologist working at the interface of habitat selection, animal movement, and landscape ecology. His research focuses on how fine-scale behavioral processes—such as thermoregulation, foraging, and habitat preference—shape broad-scale patterns in species distribution, abundance, and population dynamics. He utilizes a range of methods including statistical and simulation modeling, biotelemetry, geographic information systems (GIS), and laboratory microcosms to explore ecological processes from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. His recent work further examines animal fitness and body condition under energetic constraints, behavioral influences on habitat selection and species distribution, and the role of animal movement in the global carbon budget.
Garrett earned his PhD in Integrative Biology from the University of Guelph (supervised by Dr. John Fryxell), following a Master’s degree in Population & Conservation Biology from Texas State University (under Dr. Floyd “Butch” Weckerly). He then completed postdoctoral research at the University of Minnesota with Drs. John Fieberg and James Forester. In August 2015, he joined the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University, where he co-founded the Quantitative Ecology and Spatial Technologies (QuEST) Laboratory.
Education & Career
• PhD in Integrative Biology, University of Guelph
• M.Sc. in Population & Conservation Biology, Texas State University
• Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Minnesota
• Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Mississippi State University (since 2015)
Research Focus
Garrett’s work centers on elucidating how micro-scale behavioral and physiological processes translate into macro-scale ecological patterns. He is particularly interested in the energetics of movement and foraging, habitat selection dynamics, and ecological forecasting across climatic and spatial gradients. His lab, QuEST, combines cutting-edge quantitative tools and empirical data to address key questions in movement ecology and ecosystem health across diverse taxa and landscapes.
Current Projects
• Energetic constraints on animal movement and body condition
• Behavioral drivers of habitat preference and species distribution
• Modeling animal movement across spatiotemporal and bioclimatic gradients
• Exploring wildlife contributions to carbon fluxes in ecosystems
• Feral swine and white-tailed deer behavior in managed landscapes, moose habitat selection, and avian population dynamics
Teaching & Skills
• Delivers courses in wildlife biostatistics, landscape ecology, GIS applications, and movement ecology
• Expert in applying statistical modeling, telemetry data, GIS, and simulation approaches to movement ecology
• Experienced in training students and professionals in quantitative ecological methods
Links
• University Profile
• Research Gate