Kyle Richardson, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Kyle Richardson is a wildlife ecologist with expertise in applying field-based and molecular tools to address questions associated with wildlife disease and population ecology. He has built a body of research investigating the impact of disease on multiple host species. His M.S. research identified human risk associated with inhaling aerosol particles potentially infected with Sin Nombre virus (SNV). Dr Richardson received his Ph.D. from Massey University in New Zealand where he studied at the Hopkirk Research Institute. Here he studied the ecology and epidemiology of brushtail possum populations by identifying the roles super-shedders and super-spreaders play in disease transmission.

Currently the Richardson Lab is investigating the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in southwest Montana. Dr. Richardson also maintains international collaboration with Otago University in New Zealand and pest control efforts associated with New Zealand Predator Free 2050 Ltd. Students in Dr. Richardson’s lab have the opportunity to work directly with local CWD control efforts or can expect guidance and support to branch out towards their own research interests and pursuits.

At Montana Western, Dr. Richardson teaches Discover Biology, Survey Montana Wildlife and Habitats, Conservation Biology, Mammalogy, Ornithology, and Wildlife Ecology and Management.

Selected Publication

• Tobajas, J., Richardson, K.S., French, N.P., Buddle, B., Jewell, C., Tompkins, D.M., Rouco, C. (2024). Home range overlaps of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula): implications for disease transmission. European Journal of Wildlife Research 70.4: 78

• Bond, D.M., Ortega-Recalde, O., Laird, M.K., Hayakawa, T., Richardson, K.S., Reese, F.B.C., Kyle, B., Mclsaac-Williams, B.E., Robertson, B.C., Van Heezik, Y., Adams, A.L., Chang, W.S., Haase, B., Mountcastle, J., Driller, M., Collins, J., Howe, K., Go, Y., Thibaud-Nissen, F., Lister, N.C., Waters, P.D., Fedrigo, O., Jarvis, E.D., Gemmell, N.J., Hore, T.A. (2023). The admixed brushtail possum genome reveals invasion history in New Zealand and novel imprinted genes. Nature Communications 14, 6364

• Rouco, C., Jewell, C., Richardson, K. S., French, N. P., Buddle, B., Tompkins, D. (2018). Brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) social interactions and their implications for bovine tuberculosis epidemiology. Behavior 155 (7-9), 621-637

• Richardson, K.S., Rouco, C., Jewell, C., French, N.P., Buddle, B., Tompkins, D. (2017). Investigating brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) home range size determinants in a New Zealand native forest. Wildlife Research 44(4), 316-323

• Richardson, K.S. (2016). An Australian abroad: the secret life of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Massey University

Educational Background

PhD, Wildlife Disease Ecology, Massey University, New Zealand, 2012-2015

MSc, Wildlife Ecology, Montana Technological University, 2010-2012

BSc, Biology Major, Montana Technological University, 2005-2012