Contact Information

Office Location: BESB 117A
Email: Katheryn.Watson@tamuk.edu
Phone: 361-593-2346
CV: Download CV (PDF)
Research Profiles: Google Scholar | ResearchGate

About Dr. Watson

Dr. Katheryn Watson is a wildlife biologist whose work blends teaching, field research, and conservation science. She teaches courses in ornithology, mammalogy, zoology, and general biology, sharing her passion for animal ecology and the natural world. Her research focuses on raptor ecology, the effects of human disturbance on bird behavior, and the role of habitat restoration in supporting wildlife populations.

She is currently studying animal community succession in Texas restoration projects that aim to benefit endangered species such as the Whooping Crane, Ocelot, and Aplomado Falcon, and is tracking Swainson’s Hawks via satellite transmitters to better understand their migration and habitat use. Whether in the classroom, the lab, or the field, Dr. Watson connects students with hands-on experiences that prepare them to tackle real-world conservation challenges.

Education

• Ph.D., Wildlife, Fish, and Wildlands Science and Management — Texas Tech University
  Advisor: Dr. Clint Boal, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
  Dissertation: A bird of two hemispheres: an examination of Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni) ecology across a landscape of increasing wind energy development
• M.S., Biology — Eastern Kentucky University
  Advisor: Dr. Gary Ritchison, Biology Department
  Thesis: Effect of variation in nestling hunger levels on the begging behavior of nestlings and the provisioning behavior of adult American kestrels
• B.S., Wildlife Biology — Texas State University

Research Interests & Current Projects

• Raptor ecology
• Influences of human disturbance on avian behavior
• Habitat restoration and wildlife population support

Current projects include:

• Animal community succession in Texas restoration sites benefiting species such as the Whooping Crane, Ocelot, and Aplomado Falcon
• Satellite tracking of Swainson’s Hawks to understand migration and habitat use

Dr. Watson welcomes undergraduate researchers, graduate applicants, and research collaborators in animal ecology, avian biology, and conservation management.

Courses Taught

• BIOL 1306: General Biology I
• BIOL 4425: Ornithology
• BIOL 4429: Mammalogy
• BIOL 4410: Topics in Biology – Introduction to Zoology (Fall 2025)
• BIOL 5302: Advanced Topics in Biology – Mammalogy (Fall 2024)