Medha Pandey
Executive Director
Bylane Farm by Bob Rohr
Medha Pandey
As I begin my career with Bedford Audubon, I am also excited to be finishing up a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Fordham University. Before attending Fordham, I worked at zoos and aquariums and in wildlife rehabilitation. During this time, I worked with endangered species and became intrigued with captive breeding and reintroduction programs, wildlife management, and human-wildlife interactions. I also developed a deep appreciation for birds and a particular interest in avian conservation.
At Fordham, my dissertation research focuses on the role of birds in the maintenance and dispersal of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. I began banding birds for my dissertation research in 2019 and started volunteering at Bedford Audubon’s Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program at the Hunt-Parker Sanctuary.
I’m excited about the insights to be gained by using advanced technologies (e.g., molecular methods) alongside classical ecology. My broader research interests include animal behavior and wildlife conservation, especially within the field of ornithology and the intersection of ornithology, epidemiology, and One Health.
Finally, most of my professional experience has included an emphasis on environmental education and outreach, ranging from developing and executing lesson plans to teach fifth graders how to extract DNA from strawberries, to engaging international tourists in discussions about whale evolution and marine conservation, and teaching undergraduate courses. Through it all, I’ve found the “nontraditional” educational opportunities provided by conservation NGOs to be the most personally and professionally fulfilling.
Nature speaks to each of us, and organizations like the Bedford Audubon provide opportunities for us to reconnect with our environment and wild spaces. I hope to use my experiences to help develop and expand our research and outreach programs here at Bedford Audubon and connect with the broad and diverse community of Westchester County. I am excited to be part of a movement to make conservation and natural spaces more inclusive and reflective of all of us.