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Research Description

Dr. Zellmer’s research focuses on developing and applying computational approaches to understand how organisms interact with their environments across natural and human-dominated landscapes. She is particularly interested in how spatial structure, environmental heterogeneity, and human land use constrain ecological processes, shape species distributions, and influence conservation outcomes. Her work spans multiple ecosystems, including urban landscapes, Mediterranean-climate systems, and coastal and estuarine environments, and integrates ecological theory with spatial data and quantitative models.

Research in Dr. Zellmer’s lab combines field data with spatial analysis, statistical modeling, and reproducible computational workflows. Current projects include species distribution and occupancy modeling using long-term camera trap data, landscape connectivity modeling to assess how land-use change affects animal movement, experimental studies of conservation grazing and ecosystem responses, and modeling biomass patterns in coastal systems. Across systems, her lab emphasizes transparent, scalable, and transferable methods that link ecological understanding to applied conservation and management decisions.

Students in Dr. Zellmer’s lab gain hands-on experience in computational ecology and quantitative research, including:

• Formulating ecological questions suited to data-driven and modeling approaches
• Identifying wildlife species of Southern California using images, field signs, and natural history knowledge
• Designing, deploying, and managing camera trap studies
• Statistical analysis and data visualization in R
• Reproducible data workflows and version-controlled analysis
• Spatial analysis and GIS (QGIS/ArcGIS; raster and vector data)
• Species distribution, occupancy, and landscape connectivity modeling
• Integrating field data with large spatial and environmental datasets
• Evaluating uncertainty and assumptions in ecological models
• Collaborating with local conservation organizations to co-develop research questions
• Translating scientific results into evidence that informs conservation planning and management
• Communicating quantitative results to scientific and non-scientific audiences

Courses

Introductory Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution (Bio 110)

Biostatistics (Bio 268)

Ecology (Bio 270)

Computational Biology (Bio 373)

Select Publications

• Shier, D.M., R.Y. Chock, A.J. Zellmer, A.P. Wilder, A.Y. Chaille, B. Shomo, O.A. Ryder, C. Steiner. 2025. Conservation in the Anthropocene: Using Genetics to Understand the Past and Manage for the Future of the Threatened Stephens' Kangaroo Rat. Evolutionary Applications 18 (8), e70152
• Scesa, P., H. Nguyen, P. Weiss, A.P. Rodriguez, M. Garchow, S.I. Ohlemacher, E. Prappas, S.A. Caplins, C.A. Bewley, L. Bohnert^*, A.J. Zellmer, E.M. Wood, E.W. Schmidt, & P.J. Krug. 2024. Defensive polyketides produced by an abundant gastropod are candidate keystone molecules in estuarine ecology. Science Advances, 10(44).
• Zellmer, A.J. & B.S. Goto. 2022. Urban wildlife corridors: building bridges for wildlife and people. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities 4: 954089.
• Magle, S., M. Fidino, H.A. Sander, A.T. Rohnke, K.L. Larson, C.A. Kay, L. Lehrer, M.H. Murray, S.A. Adalsteinsson, A.A. Ahlers, W.J.B. Anthonysamy, T. Gallo, A.R. Gramza, A.M. Green, M.J. Jordan, J.S. Lewis, R.A. Long, B. MacDougall, K. Remine, K.C. Simon, C.C St. Clair, T. Stankowich, A.J. Zellmer, C.J. Schell. 2021. Wealth and urbanization shape mammalian communities across North America. Global Change Biology 27: 5446-5459. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15800
• Fidino, M., T. Gallo, E. Lehrer, M. Murray, C. Kay, B. MacDougall, C. Salsbury, T. Ryan, J. Angstmann, A. Belaire, B. Dugelby, C. Schell, T. Stankowich, M. Amaya, D. Drake, S. Hursh, A. Ahlers, J. Williamson, L. Hartley, A. Zellmer, K. Simon, S. Magle. 2020. Landscape-scale differences among cities alters species’ responses to urbanization. Ecological Applications 31(2): e02253.
• Zellmer, A.J.,E. Wood, T. Surasinghe, B. J. Putman, G. B. Pauly, S. Magle, J. Lewis, C. Kay, M. Fidino. 2020. What can we learn from wildlife sightings during the COVID-19 global shutdown?Ecosphere 11(8): e03215.
• Zellmer, A.J., P. Slezak^*, T.S. Katz^**.2020.Clearing up the crystal ball: understanding uncertainty in future climate suitability projections for amphibians. Herpetologica. 76(2) 108-120.
• Katrak-Adefowora, R. ^*, J.L. Blickley, & A.J. Zellmer. 2020. Just-in-time training improves accuracy of citizen scientist wildlife identifications from camera trap photos. Citizen Science: Theory & Practice. 5(1), 8.
• Katz, T.S.^* & A.J. Zellmer.2018. Incorporating model selection in predicting the spread of invasive fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans. Biological Invasions.