Two Students Awarded Dave Ankney and Sandi Johnson Graduate Research Scholarship

Doctoral student Hannah Sabatier and master’s student Katie Miranda recognized for excellence in waterfowl and wetland research

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — Hannah Sabatier and Katie Miranda are the 2025 recipients of the Dave Ankney and Sandi Johnson Graduate Research Scholarship. Awarded biennially, the scholarship supports two graduate students—one doctorate and one master’s degree candidate—who are conducting vital research on waterfowl and wetland issues in North America.

Sabatier, a native of Manitoba, Canada, recently completed her master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where she led Delta-funded research to refine waterfowl survey methods using drone technology. She will begin her doctorate work at the University of Saskatchewan in Fall 2025, where her work will involve a comprehensive desktop analysis to assess how representative common datasets are for managing North American waterfowl populations.

Miranda, an M.S. student at Louisiana State University, is building on her undergraduate honors thesis to examine the broader movement ecology of black-bellied whistling ducks. Using light-logging geolocators attached to plastic leg bands, she is tracking migratory movements that may span multiple continents—providing insight into the expansion of the species to aid in refining future management.

“The work that Hannah and Katie are doing has real-world implications for how we understand and manage duck populations across North America,” said Dr. Chris Nicolai, Delta Waterfowl scientist and co-chair of the Ankney Scholarship Committee. “Both students bring impressive field experience across a variety of bird species, including waterfowl, and exemplify the innovation and dedication that drive meaningful progress in waterfowl conservation. This is exactly the kind of impactful research the Ankney Scholarship was created to support.”

The Dave Ankney and Sandi Johnson Graduate Research Scholarship was established in 2013. Administered by Delta Waterfowl, the scholarship recipients are selected by an ad hoc committee composed of representatives from Canadian and U.S. government and non-government organizations. The committee is currently co-chaired by Dr. Nicolai and Howie Singer of Ducks Unlimited Canada. The scholarship honors the legacy of Dave Ankney, whose lifetime of work shaped the field of waterfowl and wetland research, and the unwavering support of his wife, Sandi Johnson.

“Ducks Unlimited Canada congratulates this year’s recipients of the Dave Ankney and Sandi Johnson Waterfowl and Wetlands Graduate Research Scholarship, prizes that celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Dave Ankney and his wife Sandi while empowering graduate students researching wetlands and waterfowl health,” said Pat Kehoe, chief conservation officer of Ducks Unlimited Canada. “The award reflects our shared commitment to advancing critical research for the conservation and understanding of North American wildlife and habitats. We take great pride in standing alongside Delta Waterfowl in this meaningful endeavor to inspire the next generation of researchers.”

For more information regarding the Ankney Scholarship, contact Dr. Chris Nicolai at cnicolai@deltawaterfowl.org.

Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.

Ducks Unlimited Canada is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife, and the environment. Visit www.ducks.ca.