Announcing La Kretz Center and Stunt Ranch Reserve 2021 conservation science research awards

The UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science and the UC Natural Reserve System Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve are pleased to announce the 2021 recipients of our competitive research awards. The awardees are UCLA graduate students working on projects including urban disease ecology of the black eyed juncoe, evolution of floral fragrance in the desert plant Lianthus, and native ringtail habitat requirements and movement patterns. Each contributes to our goal of supporting and promoting the best possible student research that helps change how we conserve California.

Congratulations to:

Wilmer Amaya-Mejia, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Urbanization effects on the disease dynamics of haemosprodian infections in dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis)

Ioana Anghel, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Evolution of floral scent variation in Linanthus

Elijah Catalan, Institute of Environment and Sustainability: Monitoring of artificial reef restoration in Palos Verdes using eDNA

Joey Curti, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Assessing Barriers to California Quail (Callipepla californica) Gene Flow in the Santa Monica Mountains

Chloe Nouzille, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Wildlife Post-Woolsey Fire: Recovery and Recolonization

Tanner Waters, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability: Using Environmental DNA to Assess the Community Composition of Eelgrass Meadows in Santa Monica Bay and Catalina Island

Maddie Zuercher, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Investigating ringtail ecology and behavior in the Santa Monica Mountains