John Vanek PhD
Zoologist
jovanek@esf.edu
+1 (631) 813-8559
New York Natural Heritage Program
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-4757
John joined NYNHP in 2021 as a Zoologist following postdoctoral research on the ecology and evolution of urban wildlife. Originally from Long Island, John is a broadly trained naturalist and wildlife scientist with expertise in herpetology, mammalogy, and urban wildlife. John has a B.S. in Wildlife Science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (go Stumpies!), an M.S. from Hofstra University where he studied the ecology of Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes, and a Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University where his dissertation focused on urban wildlife ecology and conservation (from snakes and salamanders to coyotes and domestic cats). He enjoys long walks on the beach, oxford commas, and the smell of garter snake musk in the morning.