Brief Biography

Dr. Hansen earned his bachelor’s in forestry from the University of Toronto, his master’s in biology from Laurentian University in Ontario, and his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Guelph in Ontario.

He worked as a Wildlife Research Biologist from 1979 to1986 at the Institute of Arctic Ecophysiology, located in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. While there, he conducted aerial surveys of white whale abundance and distribution in the Churchill River estuary, with simultaneous water surveys in the estuary and adjoining Hudson Bay coastal waters. He also conducted energetic studies on polar bears and Arctic foxes. He participated in various studies on winter behavior of caribou in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area.

In 2020, Dr. Hansen launched a new investigation on wood turtle road mortality in northern Maine. Due to a significant decline in wood turtle populations, citing road mortality as the major threat to the species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering listing wood turtles under the Endangered Species Act. This study will combine analyses of existing research with an analysis of roadkill surveys both before and after fence installation as a possible way to mitigate wood turtle mortality.

The study is done in collaboration with the Maine Department of Transport (DOT) and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). This multi-year study will focus on the impact that transportation corridors have on wood turtle populations and formulate recommendations for possible fence treatments on Maine roadways. Importantly, this study will benefit students through participation in the research process and will provide them with an understanding of and appreciation for community-based applied research. Under the direction of both the DOT and MDIFW, students will be involved in all aspects of the research and learn important field skills.

Dr. Hansen also collaborates on studying vector-borne diseases with the Maine Medical Research Institute, which provides a summer internship to a student to survey mosquito species in northern Maine. He also collaborates with the MDIFW and Maine Medical Research Institute to survey winter ticks on moose in northern Maine. In addition, Dr. Hansen and students collect blood from the moose for the Maine Medical Research Institute. The tick surveys and blood collection are components of his wildlife classes every fall. Students really enjoy this field experience, and many students have utilized the data or experience as either a senior project or as a practicum, respectively.

In his spare time, Dr. Hansen enjoys hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, and photography. He is also an active member of the Fort Kent Rotary Club and participates in various community projects.

Research Interests

The long-term goal of my research is to provide insights into the possible effects of environmental and global change on the future distribution and abundance of vertebrates. Specific research interests focus on energetic, genetic diversity, and population dynamics of vertebrates in relation to environmental and global changes.

Selected Publications

  • Hansen, S. 1995. Ontogeny of thermoregulation in the harbor seal. (Phoca vitulina). Eleventh Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Orlando, FL. 1995.
  • Hansen, S. 1993. Temperature effects on the breeding distribution of grey seal (Halichoerus gyrpus). Tenth Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Galveston, TX. 1993
  • Hansen, S. 1991. Energy metabolism and thermoregulation in juvenile harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in air and water. Ninth Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Chicago, IL. 1991
  • Mallory, F.F., S. Hansen, and T.L. Hillis. 1988. Impact Statement Regarding the Proposed Temagami Wilderness Reserve. Temagami Area Working Group, Inst. North. Ont. Res. & Devel. 22 pp.
  • Watts, P.D., & S. Hansen. 1985. Identification & Survey of Disturbed Tundra in the Churchill region. Municipality of Churchill, Manitoba. 35 pp.
  • Bortolotti, G., Hansen, S., Kelertas, R., Szuba, K., and Wilson, S. 1978. Management Plan of the Petawawa Forestry Research Station and Adjoining Area. Faculty and Forestry, University of Toronto. 327 pp.

Educational Background

  • Ph.D., Zoology, University of Guelph 1995
  • M.S., Biology, Laurentian University 1987
  • B.S., Forestry, University of Toronto 1978