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Persist or Perish?
I am a wildlife ecologist interested in understanding why some populations persist, while others perish in the face of novel stressors. These insights can help us learn about the contexts of population resiliency. If we learn about what makes some populations more resilient than others, we can leverage this information to assist and inform conservation actions for those that are less resilient. My training is interdisciplinary and my research uses a variety of techniques and approaches across ecological fields. Scroll below for more information on the types of questions I answer.
How are vital rates affected by novel stressors?
I use data from marked individuals to better understand the effects of various stressors on natural populations. These data allow the estimation of population parameters of interest, including population growth rate, abundance, survival, and recruitment. These parameters can ultimately provide support for whether variation in population resilience exists.
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Are host-pathogen dynamics different among populations?
Because I predominantly work with species affected by pathogens and parasites as their novel stressors, experimental data are important for making inference on host-pathogen dynamics. These experiments can elucidate differences in host tolerance or resistance to disease and predict which populations may be more resilient. These data are beneficial when planning population reintroductions or translocations and determining source and donor populations.
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How are populations genetically related and how does this contribute to their vulnerability?
I have previously spent time in the areas of molecular ecology and conservation genomics to better understand population vulnerability. While I am not actively working in this area, perspectives from the field of evolutionary ecology broadly often show up in my ongoing research.
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How can we quantify the effects of management actions?
Using an inquiry-driven approach, we can assess the efficacy of management actions, such as disease treatments or habitat protection measures, on populations of concern. As a postdoc currently at the San Diego Natural History Museum, I am also assisting in the planning of new actions (e.g., wildlife translocations and reintroductions) using a decision analysis framework to support managers making these important decisions that will effect species persistence throughout their range.
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How do individuals assess their risk of infection?
Individual metrics can reveal the actual mechanisms by which populations are more or less resilient and can include immunological, physiological, or behavioral approaches. As a postdoc at Chapman University, we studied how individuals perceive their risk of infection and their physiological and behavioral responses.
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