Education
Brief Bio
Kelsey Gilcrease is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Health Sciences at South Dakota Mines. Since joining the university in 2009, she has been dedicated to undergraduate science education and student success across a broad range of biological disciplines. Her teaching emphasizes scientific literacy, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and hands-on laboratory experiences that prepare students for careers in science, healthcare, environmental management, and graduate study.
Kelsey's academic training combines ecology, conservation biology, environmental planning, and natural resource management. Her professional experience spans classroom instruction, field research, laboratory investigations, and historical ecological analysis. She is committed to helping students understand the connections between scientific research, environmental stewardship, and informed decision-making.
Research Expertise
Kelsey Gilcrease's scholarly interests include historical ecology, biogeography, sociobiology, population ecology, invasive species management, wildlife conservation, and landscape ecology. Her scholarship examines how ecological, social, and historical factors influence wildlife populations and environmental change across landscapes and time, integrating ecological science, conservation biology, conservation planning, and environmental history to better understand how anthropogenic decisions and human activities have shaped wildlife populations, landscapes, and natural resource management over time.
Much of her work has focused on rabbit and hare conservation, historical wildlife management practices, conservation policy, and archival sources to better understand ecological trends. Her research has also explored topics including tree bounty programs, insect bounty programs, habitat conservation, and wildlife law. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in ecology, conservation biology, landscape history, forestry, and wildlife management.
Teaching
Since arriving at South Dakota Mines, Kelsey Gilcrease has taught a wide variety of undergraduate lecture and laboratory courses, including Principles of Ecology, Human Anatomy and Biomedical Physiology labs, Microbiology labs, General Biology labs, co-taught Current Bioethical Issues, and Pathogenesis labs.
Her teaching philosophy centers on active learning, scientific inquiry, and student engagement. By combining laboratory experiences, real-world case studies, critical discussion, and research opportunities, she encourages students to develop analytical skills and confidence as emerging scientists and professionals.