Alum/Postdoc Spotlight: Jen Grauer, Ph.D. ’24

September 19, 2025

Jen Grauer, Ph.D. ’24, is a postdoc in the department of natural resources and the environment from Owings Mills, Maryland. She holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University, and her research focuses on wildlife health and ecology. She is a recipient of a Postdoc Achievement Award for Excellence in Community Engagement as part of Cornell’s celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025.

What is your area of research, scholarship, or work and why is it important?

My research focuses on wildlife health and ecology, particularly investigating factors that might limit the growth and stability of wildlife populations. I work with wildlife management agencies to tackle their most pressing research questions on how to manage, conserve, and ameliorate concerns over local wildlife. This is important to help inform management decisions and ensure the future of wildlife populations under rapidly changing conditions.

What are the broader implications of this research, scholarship, or work?

This work contributes to broader efforts in environmental conservation and stewardship that will help our planet be a suitable home for a myriad of species for years to come. There are so many things we need to change and ways to make a positive difference, and this work feels like one way to leverage my skills in contributing to species conservation.

What does receiving a Postdoc Achievement Award mean to you?

Receiving this award is a great recognition of the work that I’ve put in to both my postdoc and doctoral work here at Cornell and means that there is a whole team of people who appreciate it. I am so touched by everyone’s support, and overjoyed to see that I have made a positive impact in the communities and ecological systems where I work.

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your spare time?

I enjoy outdoor recreating, particularly hiking and kayaking, as well as baking and reading. Right now I have a two-month old daughter at home, so most of my time outside work is spent figuring out how to be a new mom!

Why did you choose Cornell?

Cornell was a great place to work within the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit during my Ph.D., and I was lucky enough to be offered a postdoc to continue working with PIs and researchers that I’ve developed relationships with here. There’s no shortage of interesting, worthwhile things to study and motivated, caring people to work with. So it was an easy choice to remain at Cornell for postdoctoral work.

What is next for you?

Next I’ll be switching to a postdoctoral position at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where I’ll continue working with state agency biologists on applied research questions for the management and conservation of local wildlife. First up, I’ll be helping them design their upcoming winter surveys for river otter and muskrat.

Do you have any advice for current graduate students?

To current grad students, I would recommend they always strive to incorporate themselves in the work and advocate for themselves to get what they need out of the experience. It can be a long haul, but keep your values at the forefront. Also, do your best to reach back out to those involved, keep collaborators updated, and don’t be a stranger to the academic and local community. Getting information out to those who need it makes the research worthwhile and helps everyone feel connected.