Sarah Gaulke currently works for the Illinois Bat Conservation Program at the Illinois Natural History Survey as a graduate student researcher. She's pursuing a Master's degree in the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) department at the University of Illinois and is advised by Mark Davis.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I have known I want to be a wildlife biologist for as long as I can remember!
What drew you to study bats?
I first fell in love with them while acoustic monitoring and after learning more about them. I am constantly amazed by what they do. Bats are an often overlooked but essential part of our ecosystem. They are incredibly diverse mammals that evolved extraordinary ways of surviving. There is so much more research to be done and I am excited to be a part of that research!
What do you love about your work at PRI?
I love being a part of an organization that is filled with passionate researchers who are studying wide varieties of science. I love collaborating with different colleagues and learning from specialists in their field as I work on my project.
How will your work impact future generations?
I think educating and talking with others about the importance of bats is one of the best parts of my position. Sharing my love of bats will hopefully help prioritize the conservation of bats in the long term and help to dispel common myths.
