The Team
William McShea, Ph.D.
Wildlife Ecologist
Bill is a Research Ecologist at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) whose work focuses on the conservation of mammals and forests around the globe. He co-founded Snapshot USA in 2019 and has used camera traps to document the biodiversity of terrestrial mammals for several decades. With his team, he works to advance the use of wildlife imagery for informing conservation policy and improving machine learning techniques to enhance our understanding of the natural world in its current state.
Brigit Rooney, M.S.
Snapshot USA Survey Coordinator
Brigit is the Survey Coordinator for the Snapshot USA camera trapping project. As the coordinator, Brigit recruits new collaborators, conducts virtual trainings on protocol requirements, and ensures consistent data collection by monitoring incoming data on Wildlife Insights. Keep an eye out for Brigit and Bill popping up along the trail as the project treks westward!
Sarah Huebner, Ph.D.
Wildlife Ecologist/Digital Collection Manager
Sarah is a Wildlife Ecologist specializing in camera trapping for biodiversity monitoring. She curates the Smithsonian's first born-digital collection, built entirely from camera trap imagery of wildlife. Smithsonian WILD is a free, open-access archive of expertly verified wildlife images designed to support research, global conservation efforts, and artificial intelligence development. The collection's public-facing website will launch in late 2026.
Weiqian Gao, Ph.D.
Quantitative Ecologist
Weiqian is a Quantitative Ecologist at NZCBI. She leads the team’s educational initiatives, developing lessons and modules that help the next generation explore and understand relationships between people and the natural world. Drawing on experience with camera traps, GPS tracking collars, and remote sensing, she translates ecological data into accessible narratives about wildlife and ecosystems, connecting science, education, and conservation.
