Professor of Biology
Office Location
Science (Gotham Hall) 2001
Biography
Dr. Tripp graduated from University of Northern Colorado with a PhD in Biology Education with a field biology dissertation (2001) and holds a master’s degree in Raptor Biology from Boise State University (1991). He began his work with raptors at Northwest Nazarene University with noted raptor biologist Dr. Leon Powers. He continues to be active in raptor research to this day. He came to Warner Pacific University in the Fall of 2001. He is a United States Geologic Survey (USGS) license bird bander. He teaches many of the organismal courses in WPUs Biological Sciences program including BIO 215/315 Malheur Natural History Studies, BIO 245 Evolution, BIO 360 Ecology, BIO 380 Invertebrate Zoology, and BIO 490 Senior Seminar in Biology. He integrates his passion for raptors and birds into several courses.
He continues his ongoing research on American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) working with Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and the State of Washington since 2004 including over 30 students summer field research. Research data has been shared with the American Kestrel Partnership part of the Peregrine Fund and the Cornell University’s nest watch project. His students have presented their work at the Murdock Undergraduate Science Research Conference over the years. He also leads WPU students in a five-day trip to the Malheur National Wildlife refuge in Harney County Oregon each year. He also volunteers and advocates to support many of the Pacific Northwest’s National Wildlife Refuges.
Education
Biology Education, University of Northern Colorado 2000
Emphasis: Terrestrial ecology, food webs and food web dynamics, ecological misconceptions, remidation, and cognitive conflict
Dissertation: Food Webs in Saxicolous Lichen Communities: Relating Primary Productivity to Species Diversity in the Real World
Master of Science
Raptor Biology, Boise State University 1991
Emphasis: Raptor biology and ecology
Thesis: Respiratory Gas Concentrations and Thermal Gradients in Nest boxes Housing American Kestrels Falco sparveriusBachelor of Arts
Biological Science, Northwest Nazarene College (University) 1987
Emphasis: Field biology and raptor ecology
Thesis: Winter Car Survey of Diurnal Raptors of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge and Surrounding Area
Areas of Expertise/ Research Interests
Raptor Biology and Ecology
particularly American kestrels (Falco sparverius)
Learn about Dr. Tripp’s research with American Kestrel.
Biology Education
Cognitive conflict as as means to change perceptions
Publications, Presentations & Academic Accomplishments
American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) change nesting phenology amid a population 2024 decline: climate change or competition from European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) what results from 2015-2024 nest box study at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Indicate
Gianna Paulucci and Brad Tripp, Ph.D.
Murdock College Science Research Program, Vancouver Washington Nov. 8-9,2024
Competition for nesting cavities between American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) and European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) may lead to nesting phenology changes results from a long-term nest box study at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
Connor Finch and Brad Tripp, Ph.D.
Murdock College Science Research Program, Vancouver Washington Virtual Event 2020
Competition for nesting cavities between the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) and European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) results from a long-term nest box study at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
Martina Avendano and Brad Tripp, Ph.D.
Murdock College Science Research Program, Vancouver Washington 2019
Competition may lead to declines in American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) nest box use at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and its implications for management.
Ben Durham and Brad Tripp, Ph.D.
Murdock College Science Research Program, Spokane Washington, Nov 4-5 2016
Decline of American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) populations at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge mirrors national trends
Craig Koskey and Brad Tripp, Ph.D.
Conference on Undergraduate Research of the Murdock College Science Research Program, Whitman College October 26-27, 2012
Determining genetic monogamy in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) 2006 via RAPD-PCR DNA fingerprinting
Eric Alston, Tameka Smith, Ted Whitehead and Brad Tripp
Undergraduate Research of the Murdock College Science Research Program, Portland, OR October 20-21
Use of RAPD-PCR for the genetic characterization of an American Kestrel 2006 (Falco sparverius) population in the mid Columbia River / lower Willamette River Drainage
Tameka Smith, Eric Alston, Brad Tripp and Ted Whitehead
Undergraduate Research of the Murdock College Science Research Program, Portland, OR October 20-21
Professional Affiliations
Western Bird Banding Association (Current)
American Ornithologists Union
National Association of Biology Teachers
National Association of Science Teachers
Ecological Society of America
Community Engagement / Service
In addition to my research I have let volunteer groups of students at
Ridgefield NWR Habitat Restoration
Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge Western Pond Turtle habitat improvement
Ridgefield NWR Removing Rice-field bullrush and invasive species
Ridgefield NWR Removing False Indigo
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Restoration
Favorite quote
A landscape without raptors is an unnatural one….. J.M. Lockhart