Truman Collins, M.S. Candidate

Truman received his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Virginia Polytechnic Institution and State University. Truman discovered his passion for wildlife conservation during his freshman year while assisting at the WHAPA lab in Belize channeling his lifelong love of animals into a degree. While at Virginia Tech Truman interned with the WHAPA lab in Belize and maintained a camera trapping grid. Since completing his undergraduate degree, Truman worked as a technician on a mountain lion and white-tailed deer projects helping collect data on prey selection. He joined the SPEC lab in 2025 as a technician and focused on collecting data on mountain lions around the boarder barrier system. His master's project focuses on dietary overlap of coyotes and bobcats and is advised by Dr. Petracca under the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Originally from Virginia, he's enjoying learning more about the Texan ecosystem. He can usually be found outdoors and enjoys fishing, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, forestry, and camping.