Dr. Zachary T. Steele

      Research Focuses 

Human Dimensions of Wildlife 

Invasion Ecology

Ecophysiology

Wildlife Conservation 

Stable Isotopes

Updates

July 2025: Published collaborative study examining local residents perceptions of an introduced population of panther chameleons in Central Florida 

https://doi.org/10.26077/a79d-cd15

May 2025: Co-led the development and launch of a new online course focused on managing land for wild turkeys  https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyManager

May 2025: Published collaborative study validating the use of triple oxygen isotopes to understand animal water fluxes https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241942

October 2024: Presented research on pet owners' attachment to non-traditional pets at the Pathways Europe 2024: Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conference in Córdoba, Spain.

September 2024: Published notes paper with my collaborators Antonella Panebianco and  Karen Caceres detailing a newly documented, non-native green anole population in Norfolk, Virginia in Northeastern Naturalist

https://doi.org/10.1656/045.031.0316

August 2024: Started new position as a post-doctoral associate in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, working as part of Dr. Marcus Lashley's lab group.

August 2024: Graduated from Old Dominion University with my PhD in Ecological Sciences!!

August 2024: Co-led workshop on the emerging importance of triple oxygen isotope research in animal biology research at 13th International Conference on the Application of Stable Isotope Techniques in Ecological Studies (IsoEcol 2024)

August 2024: Presented findings from captive deer mice study at the 13th International Conference on the Application of Stable Isotope Techniques in Ecological Studies (IsoEcol 2024)

July 2024: Successfully defended dissertation!!

March 2024: First paper from my PhD research was published in Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies: 

https://doi.org/10.1080/10256016.2024.2323201

March 2024: Received Old Dominion University Student Engagement & Enrollment Services Graduate Travel Award 

February: Was named  a 2024 U.S. Presidential Management Fellows Program Finalist

November 2023: Received Old Dominion University Department of Biological Sciences Conference Travel Award 

June 2023: Received 2023-2024 Old Dominion University Harold G. Marshall and Vivian J. Marshall Endowed Scholarship in Biology

June 2023: Published literature review detailing the history of successful and failed efforts to eradicate invasive vertebrates in Florida in Southeastern Naturalist

 https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0208

April 2023: Presented PhD research on metabolism and water intake of captive deer mice and non-native Gemsbok at the 2023 Virginia Space Grant Consortium 2023 Student Research Conference in Newport News VA

February 2023: Second paper from my MS research was published in Visitor Studies https://doi.org/10.1080/10645578.2023.2178101 

August 2022: Presented MS research on invasive species education in zoos and aquariums as part of panel session at the 2022 Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference in Baltimore MD

February 2022: Received T & E, Inc. Conservation Biology Research Program Grant

January 2022: Collaborative paper on public support for biosecurity measures to mitigate pathogen transmission through the herpetological trade published in PloS one https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262719 

September 2021: Collaborative review paper published in Frontiers in Conservation Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2021.698755

July 2021: First paper from my MS research was published in Biological Invasions  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02594-5 

May 2021: Received Old Dominion Summer Graduate Award 

April 2021: Received Virginia Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellowship