He is a broadly trained ecologist with interests in behavioral ecology and conservation biology. His current research integrates behavioral ecology and landscape ecology focusing on how forest loss affects the movement of forest animals. He teaches a variety of courses related to ecology and behavior including, animal behavior, conservation biology, field biology, and field ornithology. He also teaches vertebrate anatomy, biology research roundtable (seminar), and introductory biology. Dr. Contreras is actively involved with both course-related and independent student research at the Abernathy Field Station. Most of these projects are part of the college’s HHMI-funded long-term ecological monitoring program (LEM).