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Christina Romagosa | Post-Docs | Graduate Students | Other Lab Members
Brad Udell PhD Candidate
Brad Udell
Robertson, E.P., Fletcher, R.J., Cattau, C.E., Udell, B.J., Reichert, B.E., Austin, J.D., Valle, D. (2018). Isolating the roles of movement and reproduction on effective connectivity alters conservation priorities for an endangered bird. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI:10.1073/pnas.1800183115
Udell, B.J., Martin, R. Fletcher Jr., M. Bonneau, H. Edwards, T. Gowan, S. K. Hardy , E. Gurarie, C. Deutsch and C. Calleson. (In revision). Combining encounter rate theory with decision analysis to reduce lethal collision risk and determine optimal protection zones for wildlife. In revision in Journal of Applied Ecology.
Research Interests
I am a PhD student at the University of Florida in Dr. Christina Romagosa's lab, currently developing quantitative decision tools to inform optimal invasive species management. This research is conducted with close collaboration with partners at the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (USGS), and other agency partners in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. This project involves developing quantitative models of invasion risk (guided by theory), parameterizing these models using Bayesian statistical methods, explicitly linking management actions to risk, and ultimately applying optimization methods to be used as decision making tools, and to help guide the adaptive management process.
In fact, all of my work follows this general approach to solve pressing conservation management problems; which are guided by perspectives in theoretical and applied population, community, and landscape ecology. For example, before working on invasive species, I applied a similar approach to my masters research in quantifying lethal collision risk between watercraft and Florida Manatees under different speed zones, to determine optimal speed zones in a seascape which minimize risk for a set budget. This work also used Bayesian statistical estimation and multiple sources of information to model Florida Manatee abundance from aerial surveys, which accounted for rarity and heterogeneity in detection bias(both perception and availability bias). I also previously worked on the modeling the population dynamics of an invasive insect pest (Asian Citrus Psyllid) during an outbreak event of the disease it vectors (Citrus Greening).
My current work seeks to improve management of two problematic species which have already established in Greater Everglades Ecosystem (Melaleuca: a tree species, and Argentine Black and White Tegu: a large lizard). These projects focus on modeling species population growth and dispersal in a landscape (using metapopulation theory for the former, and reaction diffusion models for the later), linking management to vital rates, and determining optimal management strategies in order to best control these populations (limiting impacts) for a fixed budget. I also study the role of global pet trade on invasive risk, and seek to apply a network approach to quantifying trade flows over space and time, with the goal of linking management to trade flows and determining optimal policies which minimize invasive risk. My ultimate goal is to develop models across all stages of the invasion process (e.g. transport, establishment, and spread), leading to a unified and practical model of invasion risk.
Education
(2013) Bachelors of Science, University of Florida, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
(2015) Masters of Science, University of Florida, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
Advised by Dr. Robert Fletcher, and Dr. Julien Martin
About Me
My personal interests start with my love of nature and life. I am an avid naturalist, driven to my research by a passion for effective, informed, and calculated conservation management. I greatly enjoy viewing the world through the lens of quantitative ecology, and have a fascination with unveiling the mechanisms of coexistence all around us.
I also enjoy music, camping, hiking and Gator Football!
Publications
Udell, B.J., Monzo, C., Paris, T.M., Allan, S.A, Stansly, P.A. (2017) Influence of limiting and regulating factors on populations of Asian citrus psyllid and the risk of insect and disease outbreaks. Annals of Applied Biology.
Reichert, B. E., Sovie, A. R., Udell, B.J., Hart, K. M., Borkhataria, R. R., Bonneau, M., Reed, R. and McCleery, R. (2017), Urbanization may limit impacts of an invasive predator on native mammal diversity. Diversity Distrib.. doi:10.1111/ddi.12531
Paris, T. M., Allan, S. A., Udell, B. J., & Stansly, P. A. (2017). Evidence of behavior-based utilization by the Asian citrus psyllid of a combination of UV and green or yellow wavelengths. PloS one, 12(12), e0189228.
Paris, T. M., Allan, S. A., Udell, B. J., & Stansly, P. A. (2017). Wavelength and Polarization Affect Phototaxis of the Asian Citrus Psyllid. Insects, 8(3), 88.
Zagvazdina, N.Y. Paris, T. M., Udell, B.J., Stanislauskus, M., McNeil, S., Allan, S. A., Mankin, R. W. (2015). Effects of Atmospheric Pressure on Calling, Mate-Seeking, and Phototaxis of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 108 (5) pg 1-9; DOI: 10.1093/aesa/sav069
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