Rosenberg Institute Seminar Series - Roxanne Beltran

Roxanne Beltran, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of
California, Santa Cruz

Unraveling individual and environmental drivers of life history trait variation in long-lived vertebrates

Abstract: Environmental variation across temporal and spatial scales shapes individual differences in traits and causes resource acquisition and allocation to fluctuate dramatically. Technological advancements including animal-borne sensors have ushered in a research renaissance showing that differences across individual animals are much more common than previously recognized. Despite this progress, critical knowledge gaps remain regarding the drivers and impacts of trait variation in wild animals - what are the secrets to individual fitness that translate to population persistence in wildlife? I investigate the ecological and evolutionary underpinnings of individual variation in elephant seals - a species that has rebounded from near extinction. I combine mark-recapture methods with cutting-edge biologging to test and refine ecological theories by identifying the physiological, anatomical, behavioral, phenological, and life-history traits shaped by developmental stages and environmental conditions. In this talk, I will highlight how my lab group’s research advances the understanding of individual-environment interactions and their impacts on populations and communities. I will also discuss future research directions, including the importance of comprehensive trait data collection and collaboration. Finally, I will underscore how integrating long-term ecological research with inclusive, field-based education programs can foster scientific discovery and promote equity in STEM. 

Bio: Dr. Roxanne Beltran is an assistant professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She studies species interactions and global change in the open ocean, through the lens of marine mammal movement, behavior, and demography. Her research leverages the six-decade mark-recapture program of northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo in California along with environmental and biologging data to understand the role of among-individual variation in ecological patterns and evolutionary processes. Roxanne’s lab group integrates research with education activities to foster a highly collaborative community of undergraduate and graduate students, technicians, and postdoctoral researchers. She also advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM - particularly in field settings - by undertaking and implementing research on education equity.