Natalie Wildermann

Postdoctoral Fellows

Post-doctoral Fellow

Current

Location:

Building 2, Level 2, 2203-WS05

Social Profile:

Biography

I am an environmental scientist with over 15 years of experience in scientific research and communication, with special focus on marine conservation and geospatial analysis. More specifically, I look at which are the important ecological traits that drive the distribution of marine megafauna and how species interact with human and natural pressures in the environment. My goal is to communicate sound and clear scientific evidence to inform conservation actions that enhance the well-being of both marine species and the local communities with whom we share the marine resources.

Research Interests

Conservation GIS, Movement & Behavioral Ecology, Biogeography, Satellite Telemetry, Threats and Impact Assessment, Conservation Planning (MPA design), Community-based Conservation, Citizen Science

Selected Publications

  • Records Of Olive Ridley Marine Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea Eschscholtz 1829) in Venezuelan Waters: A Review Of Historical Data Sets And Threats. H. Barrios-Garrido, A. Arias-Ortiz, C. Balladares, N. Espinoza-Rodríguez, M. García-Cruz, M.F. González, G. Pulido-Petit, D. Rojas-Cañizales, M. Rondon-Medicci, P. Verne, N.E. Wildermann
    Chelonian Conservation and Biology: Celebrating 25 Years as the World's Turtle and Tortoise Journal, 21(1), 136-140, (2022) doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1514.1
  • Network Analysis Of Sea Turtle Movements And Connectivity: A Tool For Conservation Prioritization
    C.Y. Kot, S. Åkesson, J. Alfaro-Shigueto, D.F. Amorocho Llanos, M. Antonopoulou, G.H. Balazs, W.R. Baverstock, … , N.E. Wildermann, … , P.N. Halpin
    Diversity and Distributions, 28, 810– 829, (2022)
    doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13485
  • Optimising Sample Sizes For Animal Distribution Analysis Using Tracking Data
    T. Shimada, M. Thums, M. Hamann, C.J. Limpus, G.C. Hays, N.N. FitzSimmons, N.E. Wildermann, C.M. Duarte, M.G. Meekan
    Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 12(2):288-97, (2021)
    doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13506
  • Exposure Of Marine Turtle Nesting Grounds To Named Storms Along The Continental USAM.M.P.B. Fuentes, M.H. Godfrey, D. Shaver, S. Ceriani, C. Gredzens, R. Boettcher, D. Ingram, M. Ware, N. Wildermann. 
    Remote Sensing, 11, 2996, (2019)
    doi.org/10.3390/rs11242996
  • Habitat Use And Behavior Of Multiple Species Of Marine Turtles At A Foraging Area In The Northeastern Gulf Of Mexico
    N. Wildermann, C. Sasso, L. Stokes, D. Snodgrass, M.M.P.B. Fuentes 
    Frontiers in Marine Science, 6:155, (2019)
    doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00155
  • Informing Research Priorities For Immature Sea Turtles Through Expert Elicitation
    N. Wildermann, C. Gredzens, L. Avens, H.A. Barrios-Garrido, I. Bell, J. Blumenthal, A. Bolten, J. Braun McNeill, P. Casale, M. Di Domenico, C. Domit, S.P. Epperly, M.H. Godfrey, B.J. Godley, V. Gonzalez Carman, M. Hamman, K.H. Hart, T. Ishihara, K. Mansfield, T. Metz, J.D. Miller, N. Pilcher, M.A. Read, C. Sasso, J.A Seminoff, E.E. Seney, A. Southwood Williard, J. Tomas, G.M. Velez-Rubio, M. Ware, J.L. Williams, J. Wyneken, M.M.P.B. Fuentes
    Endangered Species Research, 37, 55-76, (2018)
    doi.org/10.3354/esr00916
  • Assessing The Effect Of Recreational Scallop Harvest On The Distribution And Behaviour Of Foraging Marine Turtles
    N. Wildermann, C. Sasso, C. Gredzens, M.M.P.B. Fuentes
    Oryx, 54(3), 307-314, (2018)
    doi.org/10.1017/S0030605318000182
  • Informing Marine Protected Areas In Bimini, Bahamas By Considering Hotspots For Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas)
    M.M.P.B Fuentes, A.J. Gillis, S.A. Ceriani, T.L. Guttridge, M.P.M Van Zinnicq Bergmann, M. Smukall, S.H. Gruber, N Wildermann 
    Biodiversity and Conservation, 1-15, (2018)
    doi.org/10.1007/s10531-018-1647-2









Education

  • Ph.D., Environmental Science and Management, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia, 2017
  • M. Sc., Biological Sciences: Aquatic Ecology, La Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela, 2013
  • Licentiate, Biology, La Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela, 2009

Professional Profile

  • 2023-present, Postdoctoral fellow, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
  • 2020-2022, Postdoctoral Researcher, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
  • 2017-2022, Postdoctoral Associate, Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA

Scientific and Professional Membership

IUCN-Marine Turtle Specialist Group

International Sea Turtle Society

Awards

Archie Carr Award for Best Student Presentation (Category: Biology Oral Presentation), International Sea Turtle Symposium in Turkey 2015, International Sea Turtle Society

KAUST Affiliations

Red Sea Research Center (RSRC)

Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE)