Juita Martinez 3rd year BOR-SREB doctoral fellow at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Dr. Paul Leberg’s lab. My background is in population ecology, conservation biology and wildlife management. I have a BSc. in zoology with a minor in wildlife management from Humboldt State University. Throughout my undergraduate career and beyond I’ve worked to understand the implications of anthropogenic and environmental influences on various organisms.
In recent years, my study system revolves around organisms inhabiting areas which have been restored to an “earlier state”. My dissertation research focuses on understanding the effects of barrier/bay island restoration on Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) demography and reproductive ecology in coastal Louisiana. I focus on non-invasive techniques to gain a better understanding of how organisms utilize their natural habitats. My work aims to aid in the conservation of my study organisms and communicate ways to inspire generations after me to do the same.