Using Wildlife Cameras to Observe and Study Urban Carnivore Behavior
Alex Del Rosario (she/her) (Society and Environment, NutriSci/Public Health) | 2027
Alex Del Rosario is a recipient of this summer’s URAP stipend and a senior majoring in Society and Environment with a minor in Nutritional Science and Public Health. Her research focuses on urban ecology, looking at how urbanization and historical inequality affect urban carnivores. Using wildlife cameras, GPS tracking, genetics, and other biological measurements, Alex studies how animals adapt to urban environments and what this can tell us about environmental health and justice. Her time in the Schell Lab has also sparked an interest in public health, especially through her work studying bat presence in cities and its connection to human health.
What first drew you to this topic? Was there a moment, class, experience, or question that made you want to learn more?
I was first introduced to the topic of urban ecology (which is the focus of my URAP lab) by taking a class at Berkeley taught by Dr. Schell, who is now my PI. I had taken a few ecology courses in the past, but Dr. Schell presented information and engaged with students differently than any class I’d taken in the past. The information was presented in a really fascinating and challenging, yet accessible, way that challenged my current ways of thinking. After attending office hours and expressing my interest in Dr. Schell’s research, I was able to connect with the URAP program.
How would you explain your research to someone who knows nothing about your field?
Our lab works in urban ecology, or the study of how living things interact in urban environments. Using wildlife cameras, GPS tracking, genetics, and biological measurements, we study how urbanization and past historical inequality shape urban carnivore behavior and physiology to better understand connections between environmental health, ecology, and environmental justice.
What was the most exciting or rewarding part of working on this project?
I think it’s really rewarding, both in my lab and the broader academic field, to see how research at Berkeley and other academic institutions is used to shape future policy. Through my work in environmental policy, I’ve utilized multiple Berkeley studies to explain and support policy recommendations and arguments.
What did you discover about the research process through your experience with URAP?
I discovered that URAP really helps immerse students in the research world and is a truly invaluable resource! Through the program, I have been tasked with data collection and classification, working out in the field, and assisting in scientific studies. It truly is a hands-on program, and you have the ability to contribute to groundbreaking research as an undergraduate student.
Was there a challenge or unexpected moment during your research that really shaped your experience?
Working in an ecology lab, especially during field days, means some things don’t go as planned. When placing our wildlife cameras in various spots across the Bay Area, we occasionally ran into unexpected issues like camera malfunctions, permitting issues, or plants blocking the camera view! Although moments like this are annoying, they teach you to adapt to the environment and quickly find a solution. Being out in the field taught me to think on my feet, collaborate with others on my team, and find solutions for problems I might not have encountered before.
What do you hope comes out of this research, whether that’s something you continue exploring or simply something you take with you from the experience?
This research experience helped introduce me to the scientific research field as a student, which can be rare for undergraduates. My lab experience exposed me to multiple fields within urban ecology, shaping my interests and passions over the past year. I recently worked on a project studying bat presence in cities, particularly how it ties to human health. This project really solidified my interest in public health, and I plan on applying to Master’s programs this fall to study public health. If you have an interest in a topic that is offered through URAP, I absolutely recommend applying to learn more about the field!