Name: Kelly Balcarczyk, Ph.D. Student
Email: kbalcarc@mix.wvu.edu
College/University: West Virginia University
Dissertation/Thesis study area: Social cognitive predictors of interest in natural resource careers
Advisory Committee members: Dr. Dave Smaldone and Dr. Steve Selin

My academic interests involve understanding youth’s pursuit of natural resource careers through the application of the social cognitive career theory and understanding barriers to diversity in work place culture. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering; I am currently a volunteer for the Mountaineer Area Rescue Group and the Cooper’s Rock Foundation. I enjoy spending time in nature: hiking, backpacking, trail running, and cross country skiing.

Name:Ishwar Dhami, Ph.D. Student
Email:idhami@mix.wvu.edu
College/University: West Virginia University
Dissertation/thesis study area: Identification and evaluation of forest based ecotoursm areas in West Virginia using analytical hierarchy process and geographic information system.

I have been drawn by the spatial aspects of resource management. My research interest is on application of geographic information system and remote sensing in tourism and recreation planning. In leisure, I like games (whether it be watching, playing or talking about it). I also enjoy being with my friends and family, travelling, and going for nature walks.

Name:Suresh K. Shrestha, Ph.D. Student
Email: sshresth@mix.wvu.edu
College/University: West Virginia University
Dissertation/thesis study area: Modeling Participation in Outdoor Recreation: An application of Theory of Planned Behavior in Predicting Participation in Selected Outdoor Recreation Activities in State Forests in West Virginia

Understanding why some people participate in a given outdoor recreation activity while others do not; understanding the effects of gender and ethnicity factors. My other interest area is planning facilities and services, especially interpretation services, in protected areas. Socially, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking, wildlife viewing, playing badminton, tennis and watching cricket.

Name: Robin L. Yeager, Ph.D. Candidate
Email: ryeager@fairmontstate.edu
College/University: *West Virginia University
*Dissertation/thesis study area: Predictors of Overall Satisfaction of Campus Activity Center Participants

My interests and experience involve indicators of satisfaction at college recreation centers. I am interested in various facets of user’s recreation experience, including facilities management, services, motivations to participate as a social and physical activity and what constrains them from participating. I am currently the director of a student activity center which includes a recreation center and student union. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling and exploring the national parks through, hiking, biking, skiing and camping. I share my adventures with my husband and also enjoy spending time with my two daughters.

Name:Rogelio T. Andrada II, PhD Candidate
Email: randrada@mix.wvu.edu
College/University: West Virginia University
Dissertation/Thesis study area: Perceptions, Preferences and Attitudes of Residents and Visitors towards Urban Forests in Washington D.C.
Advisory Committee members: Dr. Jinyang Deng, Dr. Chad Pierskalla, Dr. Kathryn Araño, Dr. John Brooks, Dr. Monica Lear (DDOT, Washington D.C.)

My academic interests include nature-based tourism planning, users’ perception, preferences and attitude towards tourism attractions. I also taught forest resources management courses and have been involved in watershed management projects in the Philippines. Lastly, I enjoy traveling, hiking and photography.

Name: Candice J. Riley, PhD student
Email: criley14@mix.wvu.edu
College/University: West Virginia University
Dissertation/Thesis study area: Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) use at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Advisory Committee members: Dr. Chad Pierskalla (chair), Dr. Robert Burns, Dr. Dave Smaldone, Dr. Alan Graefe, Dr. Susan Williams

Academically, I am interested in Collaborative Land Use Planning in public lands, Social Carrying Capacity and Satisfaction among OHV users.

Research Experience: Studied the potential for collaborative land use planning in and around the New River Gorge National River, Helped create a trail plan for the National Coal Heritage Area, Worked with the U.S. Forest Service National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) for the Monongahela National Forest (WV), White Mountain National Forest (NH), and Siuslaw National Forest (OR).

Hobbies include: Camping, Picnicking, Viewing/Photographing scenery, Scenic drives, Reading, Watching Movies, Spending time with family and friends

Name: Chris Caplinger
Email: ccapling@mix.wvu.edu
College/University: West Virginia University
Dissertation/Thesis study area: Recreation user displacement as a result of environmental impacts.
Advisory Committee members: Dr. Robert Burns, Dr. Chad Pierskalla

Academically, I have a strong interest in sustainability, particularly with regard to economic components as they relate to rural and international tourism development. In my free time I love to travel, play the guitar, go backpacking, rock climbing, and being in the outdoors.

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Name: Michael Ferguson, Masters Student
Email: mfergus5@mix.wvu.edu
College/University: *West Virginia University
*Dissertation/Thesis study area: Market Segmentation and Satisfaction at the Timberline Lodge Recreation Complex
Advisory Committee members: Dr. Robert Burns, Dr. Dave Smaldone, Dr. Chad Pierskalla

My academic interests comprise satisfaction, conflict, crowding, and market segmentation of outdoor recreation users. I have been working on the National Visitor Use Monitoring program for the past 4 years with Dr. Robert Burns in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, I am an avid outdoorsman and enjoy skiing, hiking, backpacking, and traveling.