Students
The conservation leaders of tomorrow, but why not get involved and make a difference today!?
NDCTWS Student Liaisons
Ella Miller, UJ
Ella Miller is currently a freshman studying Environmental Science at the University of Jamestown, where she is beginning her academic journey toward a career in conservation and environmental stewardship. She has grown up with an appreciation for the outdoors. Ella developed an early interest in wildlife, natural ecosystems, and the importance of protecting natural resources. Through her studies and involvement in environmental and field-based opportunities, she is eager to gain hands-on experience that contributes to conservation efforts and scientific understanding. Ella is particularly interested in wildlife research, habitat conservation, and outdoor education.
Jake Fischer, UND
Jake is from St. Louis, Missouri and spent his childhood enjoying the outdoors with his family. He wants to ensure future generations can have the same experiences hunting, camping, and exploring nature that he has his whole life. Jake earned a degree in Agriculture Science before making the leap and heading up to the University of North Dakota. Jake wanted to study wetlands and waterfowl and North Dakota is the perfect place for that. He received his BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and is currently a graduate student in the Felege Wildlife Lab at UND. His project focuses on invasive cattail in seasonal wetlands. Specifically, the effectiveness of several cattail treatments and how waterfowl and marsh bird use changes with each treatment over time. Jake has previously worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation as a technician as well as several undergraduate research positions at UND. After completing graduate school, Jake wants to work with waterfowl and wetlands. He is excited to serve as a NDCTWS student liaison.
Elliot Magcalas, NDSU
Elliot is an undergrad at NDSU studying Biological Sciences (Ecology and Conservation Science emphasis) with minors in Natural Resource Management, Zoology, and Statistics expecting to graduate in 2028. He graduated from Minot High School in Minot, ND. He had a natural inclination toward STEM since early on, but his interest in conservation grew from learning about habitat and biodiversity loss due to climate change. Elliot would like to earn a master’s degree and then a PhD before finding a position as a professor or agency researcher working in ecology. In addition to being the volunteer coordinator for the NDSU chapter of The Wildlife Society, he has volunteered as a caretaker with the Biological Sciences department herp collection for the past two years. He spent summer 2024 hiking around western ND as a crew member in the first crew of the Badlands Conservation Corps. Currently, Elliot works in the Genomics, Ecology, and Modelling for Conservation (GEM-C) Lab under Dr. Travis Seaborn as part of a walleye genetics project with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. His goal as a student liaison is to build stronger community and facilitate career-building experiences by connecting more NDSU students with the wildlife professionals of North Dakota and Minnesota.