RESEARCH
My research bridges ecological theory, empiricism, and applied conservation, spanning multiple spatial and temporal scales, and ranging from single populations to whole food webs.
Novel geospatial decision-support frameworks
I develop and apply quantitative frameworks for multi-species wildlife crossing structure decision support, linking spatial data to ecological theory to inform infrastructure planning and conservation management. I integrate species occurrences (camera trap, eDNA, roadkill, etc.), habitat suitability, and movement data to model and prioritize wildlife crossing locations that best promote connectivity and reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions. I have applied this novel method on 3 wildlife crossing projects, encompassing 5 major highways, across California.
Modeling the effects of roads and traffic on wildlife movement behavior, connectivity, and predator-prey dynamics
My postdoc research focuses on how traffic disturbance influences wildlife movement behavior at roadsides for application to wildlife crossing structure location prioritization and noise and light mitigation. Additionally, by calculating permeability indices using mortality and behavior data, I am modeling long-term predator-prey dynamics as a function of habitat networks bisected by roads with variable permeability levels. Conservation practice needs more spatial ecology theory driving it. I strive to bring spatial predator-prey theory into wildlife connectivity planning to move from a species-specific mindset to a holistic food web framework, understanding how re-connection achieved by crossings affects entire communities rather than isolated focal species.
Drivers of spatial population dynamics in theory and practice
I study how spatial resource heterogeneity and habitat connectivity influence population persistence and synchrony. Using a combination of mechanistic models and laboratory tests of model predictions, I explore how landscape structure and differential resource distribution mediates predator–prey interactions and food web stability.
Mechanisms of predator-prey stability: developing and testing theory
I study mechanisms of coexistence between predators and preys, with emphasis on intraguild predation (IGP) where a predator competes with its prey for a shared resource. I develop IGP theory and test it with protist microcosm experiments to uncover stabilizing mechanisms of the IGP module. IGP theory has been historically unlinked from reality, where theory predicts instability while IGP is prevalent in nature. My work bridges this gap.