Hello everyone! I am looking for insight on a conservation technology project I’ve been developing.

While studying Animal Ecology at Iowa State University, I started to develop a method for individual identification for small mammals in field research. Taking inspiration from finger vein biometric security, I designed and patented a custom NIR spectrometry device. 

I hope to use this tool as the foundation for a future graduate thesis, exploring its potential for non-invasive, remote, autonomous individual identification in wildlife research and the broader implications for conservation fieldwork. 

I am currently in the process of emailing professors and applying for funding. However I am struggling to find a program or person with experience in this unique interdisciplinary overlap. I would be incredibly grateful for any feedback, advice, or resources anyone might be willing to share. In particular, I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on the practicality of pursuing this project as a Masters or PhD student.

Happy to provide more information to those that are interested.

Thankyou for your time!