{
	"event_id": "1155365",
	"eventinstance_id": "4223353",
	"calendar": {
		"id": 1862,
		"title": "Events",
		"slug": "events",
		"url": "https://events.ucf.edu/calendar/1862/events/"
	},
	"id": "4223353",
	"title": "Mathematical Biology Seminar by Dr. George Zaragoza, UCF",
	"subtitle": null,
	"description": "\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href\u003D\u0022https://sciences.ucf.edu/mathbio/mathematical\u002Dbiology\u002Dseminar/\u0022 target\u003D\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMathematical Biology Seminar\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u000A\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href\u003D\u0022https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology/person/george\u002Dzaragoza/\u0022 target\u003D\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDr. George Zaragoza\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/a\u003E (UCF Biology) will speak on \u0022\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApplications of Point Process and Integrated Step\u002DSelection Models in Wildlife Ecology\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/em\u003E\u0022 at this week\u0027s seminar.\u003C/p\u003E\u000A\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbstract: \u003C/strong\u003EThe field of wildlife ecology increasingly uses spatial modeling tools to understand how species respond to environmental change and navigate heterogeneous landscapes. Here, we demonstrate applications of two approaches: integrated nested Laplacian approximation point process models and integrated step\u002Dselection functions. Point process models are used to estimate how the spatial distribution of a large herbivore may shift in response to climatic change, while integrated step\u002Dselection functions are used to predict how a large carnivore moves through and responds to landscape features. Together, these examples highlight how modern spatial and movement models can leverage wildlife location and environmental data to provide insight into ecological responses to changing landscapes.\u003C/p\u003E\u000A\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShort Bio:\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp\u003B\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp\u003BDr. George Zaragoza is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biology at the University of Central Florida. His research examines how climate and anthropogenic change affect wildlife populations, including shifts in habitat and distribution, landscape connectivity, movement and habitat selection, and the role of adaptive genetic variation in enabling populations to respond to changing environmental conditions. Dr. Zaragoza obtained his Bachelor of Science from the University of California \u002D Davis before working in Bayer\u0026rsquo\u003Bs agricultural research and development group. He earned his PhD in Integrative and Conservation Biology at the University of Central Florida, researching the impacts of environmental variability and adaptation on white\u002Dtailed deer (\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cem\u003EOdocoileus virginianus\u003C/em\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E), Florida panthers (\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPuma concolor coryi\u003C/em\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E), and Key deer (\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cem\u003EOdocoileus virginianus clavium\u003C/em\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E) through the lens of population and landscape genomics. His current research uses GPS tracking data to study the habitat selection of wild turkeys (\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMeleagris gallopavo\u003C/em\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E) in response to changing climatic conditions. He will soon be transitioning to a research associate position at the University of Wyoming, where he will be studying chronic wasting disease in wild deer populations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E",
	"location": "MSB 318: Mathematical Sciences Building, Room 318",
	"location_url": "https://www.ucf.edu/location/mathematical\u002Dsciences\u002Dbuilding/",
	"virtual_url": null,
	"registration_link": null,
	"registration_info": null,
	"starts": "Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:00 -0400",
	"ends": "Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:00:00 -0400",
	"ongoing": "False",
	"category": "Speaker/Lecture/Seminar",
	"tags": ["UCF Statistics","Mathematical Biology Seminar","UCF Biology","UCF Mathematics"],
	"contact_name": "Erika Lin",
	"contact_phone": null,
	"contact_email": "erika.lin@ucf.edu",
	"url": "https://events.ucf.edu/event/4223353/mathematical-biology-seminar-by-dr-george-zaragoza-ucf/"
}