Lifetime
André has accumulated over 25 years of experience as a student, research biologist, and educator (CV). His experiences integrate a life-time of learning encompassing four continents (North, Central & South America; Europe; Antarctica), many terrestrial and freshwater communities including polar, temperate, and tropical ecosystems, three ocean systems (Atlantic; Pacific; Antarctic) and research projects dedicated to the conservation of birds, mammals, and fish.
Education & Publications
André earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology (BA) from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 1994, worked as an Outdoor Educator and Seasonal Field Biologist specializing in the demography of marine birds for the next six years, and then entered graduate school in 2000 with the expectation of earning a Masters of Science in Biology (MSc). In 2002, the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, Canada, and his thesis committee recommended, because of the quantitative challenges of his thesis, that André pursue a Doctorate in Biology (PhD) in place of the Masters. He accepted and completed his PhD in 2005 (download pdf). Since this time, in addition to growing Insight Database Design & Consulting, he's completed three postdoctoral fellowships (CV). The first two postdocs working with black-legged kittiwakes and Arctic ground squirrels in Alaska; and the third at Colorado State University as a quantitative analyst for a federally sponsored endangered fish recovery program. The following provides a complete list of his peer-reviewed publications to date (download pdfs):
Williams, C. T. K. Wilsterman, A.D. Kelley, A.R. Breton, H. Stark, M.M. Humphries, A.G. McAdam, B.M. Barnes, S. Boutin, and C.L. Buck. 2014. Biologging in small mammals: light loggers reveal weather-driven changes in the daily activity patterns of arboreal and semi-fossorial rodents. Journal of Mammalogy
Breton, A. R., I.C.T. Nisbet, C. S. Mostello, & J. J. Hatch. 2014. Age-dependent breeding dispersal and adult survival within a metapopulation of Common Terns Sterna hirundo. Ibis 156: 534–547
Esslinger, G. G., J. L. Bodkin, A. R. Breton, & D. H. Monson. 2014. Temporal Patterns in the Foraging Behavior of Sea Otters in Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Management 78::689–700.
A. R. Breton, & A. W. Diamond. 2014. Annual survival of adult Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica is positively correlated with Herring Clupea harengus availability. Ibis. 156:35-47.
A. R. Breton, J. Hawkins., & D. L. Winkelman. 2013. Correcting length-frequency distributions for imperfect detection. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 33:1156-1165.
Wolff, B. A., B. M. Johnson, A. R. Breton, P. J Martinez., D. L. Winkelman. 2012. Origins of invasive piscivores determined from the strontium isotope ratio (87Sr/86Sr) of otoliths. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 69: 724-739.
Oppel, S., A. Raine, J. J. Borg, H. Raine, E. Bonnaud, K. Bourgeois, A.R. Breton. 2011. Is the Yelkouan shearwater Puffinus yelkouan threatened by low adult survival rates? Biological Conservation, 144:2255-2263.
Allard, K. A., , H. G. Gilchrist, A. R. Breton, C. D. Gilbert, & M. L. Mallory. 2010 Adult survival of Thayer’s and glaucous gulls nesting sympatrically in the Canadian High Arctic. Ardea, 98:43-51.
Buck, C. L., A. R. Breton, O. Toien, B. M. Barnes. 2008. Overwinter body temperature patterns of free-living arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii). Lovegrove, B.G. and McKechnie, A.E. (eds.). Hypometabolism in animals: torpor, hibernation and cryobiology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. pgs. 317-326.
Breton, A. R., G. A. Fox, & J. Chardine. 2008. Survival of adult Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) from a Lake Ontario colony over two decades of environmental change. Waterbirds, 31: 15-23.
Breton, A. R., D. Kildaw, K. Murra, & C. L. Buck. 2008. Multilevel models reveal no cohort-level variation in time spent foraging to account for a collapse in kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) breeding success. Ecological Modeling, 212:233-243.
Whidden, S. E., C. Williams, A. R. Breton, & C. L. Buck. 2007. Effects of radio- transmitters on Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) reproductive success. Journal of Field Ornithology, 78:1-7.
Keeler, R., A. R. Breton, D. Peterson, & R. Cunjak. 2007. Survival and movement of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) in five New Brunswick streams. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 136:281-292.
Allard, K. A., A. R. Breton, H. G. Gilchrist, & A. W. Diamond. 2006. Adult survival of herring gulls breeding in the Canadian Arctic. Waterbirds, 29:163-168.
Breton, A. R., A. W. Diamond, & S.W. Kress. 2006. Surface wear on incoloy and darvic bands applied to Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) adults and chicks. Journal of Field Ornithology, 77:111-119.
Breton, A. R., A. W. Diamond, & S.W. Kress. 2006. Encounter, survival, and movement probabilities from an Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) metapopulation. Ecological Monographs, 76:133-149.
Breton, A. R., A. W. Diamond, & S.W. Kress. 2005. Adult survival rates of Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) at two colonies in the Gulf of Maine. Auk, 122:773-782.
Williams, C. T. K. Wilsterman, A.D. Kelley, A.R. Breton, H. Stark, M.M. Humphries, A.G. McAdam, B.M. Barnes, S. Boutin, and C.L. Buck. 2014. Biologging in small mammals: light loggers reveal weather-driven changes in the daily activity patterns of arboreal and semi-fossorial rodents. Journal of Mammalogy
Breton, A. R., I.C.T. Nisbet, C. S. Mostello, & J. J. Hatch. 2014. Age-dependent breeding dispersal and adult survival within a metapopulation of Common Terns Sterna hirundo. Ibis 156: 534–547
Esslinger, G. G., J. L. Bodkin, A. R. Breton, & D. H. Monson. 2014. Temporal Patterns in the Foraging Behavior of Sea Otters in Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Management 78::689–700.
A. R. Breton, & A. W. Diamond. 2014. Annual survival of adult Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica is positively correlated with Herring Clupea harengus availability. Ibis. 156:35-47.
A. R. Breton, J. Hawkins., & D. L. Winkelman. 2013. Correcting length-frequency distributions for imperfect detection. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 33:1156-1165.
Wolff, B. A., B. M. Johnson, A. R. Breton, P. J Martinez., D. L. Winkelman. 2012. Origins of invasive piscivores determined from the strontium isotope ratio (87Sr/86Sr) of otoliths. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 69: 724-739.
Oppel, S., A. Raine, J. J. Borg, H. Raine, E. Bonnaud, K. Bourgeois, A.R. Breton. 2011. Is the Yelkouan shearwater Puffinus yelkouan threatened by low adult survival rates? Biological Conservation, 144:2255-2263.
Allard, K. A., , H. G. Gilchrist, A. R. Breton, C. D. Gilbert, & M. L. Mallory. 2010 Adult survival of Thayer’s and glaucous gulls nesting sympatrically in the Canadian High Arctic. Ardea, 98:43-51.
Buck, C. L., A. R. Breton, O. Toien, B. M. Barnes. 2008. Overwinter body temperature patterns of free-living arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii). Lovegrove, B.G. and McKechnie, A.E. (eds.). Hypometabolism in animals: torpor, hibernation and cryobiology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. pgs. 317-326.
Breton, A. R., G. A. Fox, & J. Chardine. 2008. Survival of adult Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) from a Lake Ontario colony over two decades of environmental change. Waterbirds, 31: 15-23.
Breton, A. R., D. Kildaw, K. Murra, & C. L. Buck. 2008. Multilevel models reveal no cohort-level variation in time spent foraging to account for a collapse in kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) breeding success. Ecological Modeling, 212:233-243.
Whidden, S. E., C. Williams, A. R. Breton, & C. L. Buck. 2007. Effects of radio- transmitters on Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) reproductive success. Journal of Field Ornithology, 78:1-7.
Keeler, R., A. R. Breton, D. Peterson, & R. Cunjak. 2007. Survival and movement of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) in five New Brunswick streams. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 136:281-292.
Allard, K. A., A. R. Breton, H. G. Gilchrist, & A. W. Diamond. 2006. Adult survival of herring gulls breeding in the Canadian Arctic. Waterbirds, 29:163-168.
Breton, A. R., A. W. Diamond, & S.W. Kress. 2006. Surface wear on incoloy and darvic bands applied to Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) adults and chicks. Journal of Field Ornithology, 77:111-119.
Breton, A. R., A. W. Diamond, & S.W. Kress. 2006. Encounter, survival, and movement probabilities from an Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) metapopulation. Ecological Monographs, 76:133-149.
Breton, A. R., A. W. Diamond, & S.W. Kress. 2005. Adult survival rates of Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) at two colonies in the Gulf of Maine. Auk, 122:773-782.
Eccentric Hobbies
In February 2013, André began to think about giving himself something back for nearly 25 years of commitment to his education. That something developed into a goal ... a goal to qualify for and then race in the epic Leadville Trail 100 (LT100) endurance mountain bike race held annually in Leadville, Colorado. André's experience with a mountain bike started when he purchased his first (very entry level) mountain bike in January 2010; he rode this 32 pound tank until April 2013. The LT100 is a 50 mile out and back course that starts in historic downtown Leadville at 10,000 feet above sea-level. Along the 50 mile course, the rider experiences elevations between about 9,600 feet and 12,560 ft. The rider will climb over 12,000 feet before they reach the finish line, back in Leadville. Below are a list of some of the races that André experienced as he successfully qualified, trained for ... and then competed in ... the LT100.
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Many thanks to the following businesses, friends and family for donations and crewing!
Sponsors: Integrative Physiotherapy, Fort Collins, CO Full Cycle, Fort Collins, CO Friends & Family: Andrew Mackie (Crew Boss) Rodney & Diane Breton (Crew, LT100; $600) Katelyn Vondfelt (Crew, LT100) Bill Lutes (Crew, LT100) Ed Thomas (Crew, Silverrush 50) Ann Dukett (Crew, LT100) |
Silverrush 50 (50 miles)
Leadville, Colorado June 14, 2013 Preparation for racing in the LT100 requires training at high elevation. To gain some experience in the atmosphere, I raced in the Firebird 40 in Eagle, Firecracker 50 (miler) in Breckenridge, and Silverrush 50 in Leadville, Colorado. All of these races are above 8000 feet, the last two are above 9,500 feet and the Silverrush 50 approaches or exceeds 12,000 feet 6 times along it's 50 mile course. |
Leadville Trail 100 (103 mile)
Leadville, Colorado August 8, 2013 The big one, and my ultimate goal in 2013. After repairing a flat tire at mile 87, I crossed the finish line 198th out of about 1600 racers ... time 8 hrs 28 minutes and 24 seconds. Next time you find yourself wondering what you're capable of, imagine that you can do more than you think you can, that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone ... and life will bring you many more exciting moments. Ride on! |
Other Links
Additional resources (click text to visit the site), including André's Research Gate account where visitors can download all of his publications. LinkedIn provides access to his CV and Thesis (these documents are also available on this website). Andre Breton Racing and Strava capture my athletic pursuits and many images and other details are available on Facebook - consider sending me a friend request.