Paul Cross, Ph.D.
My research focuses on applied wildlife disease, conservation and management issues around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Research Interests
I try to integrate multiple different scientific fields, but my specific background is in field ecology, behavior and mathematical modeling. There are two central themes in my research: (1) the integration of empirical data and mathematical modeling, and (2) the effects of host behavior on disease dynamics. Currently, my research focuses on brucellosis, chronic wasting disease, canine distemper and sarcoptic mange.
Professional Experience
Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2005-present.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. 2005. University of California, Berkeley
B.A. Environmental Science. 1998. University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Science and Products
Sustaining transmission in different host species: The emblematic case of Sarcoptes scabiei
Scavengers reduce potential brucellosis transmission risk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Natural history of a bighorn sheep pneumonia epizootic: Source of infection, course of disease, and pathogen clearance
Body size and digestive system shape resource selection by ungulates: A cross-taxa test of the forage maturation hypothesis
Effects of supplemental feeding on the fecal bacterial communities of Rocky Mountain elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Sarcoptic mange: An emerging panzootic in wildlife
Elk migration influences the risk of disease spillover in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Patterns and processes of pathogen exposure in gray wolves across North America
Human activities and weather drive contact rates of wintering elk
A metapopulation model of social group dynamics and disease applied to Yellowstone wolves
Infectious diseases in Yellowstone’s wolves
Ecological forecasting—21st century science for 21st century management
Natural resource managers are coping with rapid changes in both environmental conditions and ecosystems. Enabled by recent advances in data collection and assimilation, short-term ecological forecasting may be a powerful tool to help resource managers anticipate impending near-term changes in ecosystem conditions or dynamics. Managers may use the information in forecasts to minimize the adverse ef
Science and Products
Sustaining transmission in different host species: The emblematic case of Sarcoptes scabiei
Scavengers reduce potential brucellosis transmission risk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Natural history of a bighorn sheep pneumonia epizootic: Source of infection, course of disease, and pathogen clearance
Body size and digestive system shape resource selection by ungulates: A cross-taxa test of the forage maturation hypothesis
Effects of supplemental feeding on the fecal bacterial communities of Rocky Mountain elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Sarcoptic mange: An emerging panzootic in wildlife
Elk migration influences the risk of disease spillover in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Patterns and processes of pathogen exposure in gray wolves across North America
Human activities and weather drive contact rates of wintering elk
A metapopulation model of social group dynamics and disease applied to Yellowstone wolves
Infectious diseases in Yellowstone’s wolves
Ecological forecasting—21st century science for 21st century management
Natural resource managers are coping with rapid changes in both environmental conditions and ecosystems. Enabled by recent advances in data collection and assimilation, short-term ecological forecasting may be a powerful tool to help resource managers anticipate impending near-term changes in ecosystem conditions or dynamics. Managers may use the information in forecasts to minimize the adverse ef