Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick is an Associate Professor of Research and Extension in Urban Ecology at the University of the District of Columbia, whose work focuses on urban tree canopy health, wildlife ecology, and the application of GIS-driven field research to address environmental sustainability and conservation challenges in urban landscapes, Dr. Russo Petrick also actively engages in interdisciplinary education and community outreach.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, Bowling Green State University Master of Science in Applied Ecology & Conservation Biology, Frostburg State University Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation, Psychology Minor, Cum Laude, Juniata College
Roles
Associate Professor in Urban Ecology, University of the District of Columbia, 2023-Present Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Delaware, 2023 Postdoctoral Scholar, Pennsylvania State University, 2022-23 Graduate Research Assistant, Bowling Green State University, 2018-22 Field Technician, Versar, Inc. and Bureau of Land Management, 2018 Graduate Research Assistant, Frostburg State University, 2015-17
Courses Taught
General Ecology Anatomy and Physiology I SEA-PHAGES lab Botany Intro to Biology for non-majors Intro to Biology for majors
Expertise
Data entry Experimental design Field data collection R Statistical Software ArcGIS Online Environmental Education
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Urban ecology; tree canopy; oak health; wildlife; field research; GIS
Leadership
Member, Search Committee for Assistant Teaching Professor in Anatomy, Bowling Green State University, 2021 Member, Bowling Green State University Graduate Student Committee, 2019-22 Senator, Bowling Green State University Graduate Student Senate, 2020-22
Impact
Selected Publications
Nissley, C., Williams, C., Abraham, K. F., & Russo-Petrick, K. (2024). Anthropogenically-induced population increases in sympatric breeding arctic geese incur apparent competition consequences. Wildfowl, 74: 40-52.
Walter, W. D., Fameli, A., Russo-Petrick, K., Edson, J. E., Rosenberry, C., Schuler, K., & Tonkovich, M. J. (2024). Large-scale assessment of genetic structure to assess risk of populations of a large herbivore to disease. Ecology and Evolution, 14(5): 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11347
Russo-Petrick, K., & Root, K.V. (2023). Factors impacting bat activity and species richness in protected parks in the Oak Openings Region of Northwest Ohio. Environmental Management, 72, 1086-1098. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01849-2
Russo-Petrick, K., & Root, K.V. (2023). Identifying factors across multiple scales that impact bat activity and species richness along roads in a fragmented landscape. Biodiversity and Conservation, 32, 1065-1088. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-022-02538-y.
Russo-Petrick, K., Seddon, W., Lambert, T., & Ammer, F (2019). Fecal pellet surveys and DNA analysis reveal that Appalachian cottontails (Sylvilagus obscurus) are more widespread than previously recorded in Western Maryland. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, 93(31), 13-25. https://doi.org/10.5325/jpennacadscie.93.1.0013
Selected Presentations
Russo-Petrick K., & Rischmiller, F. (2024). Oak health in the District of Columbia: Survey of oak pests and pathogens. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland.
Russo-Petrick, K., Fameli, A., Schuler, K.L, Edson, J. E., Tonkovich, M. J. & Walter, W. D. (2023). Large-scale assessment of genetic structure to assess risk of white tailed deer populations to chronic wasting disease. Chronic Wasting Disease Symposium, Denver, Colorado.
Russo-Petrick, K. (2022). Identifying factors that influence bat habitat sustainability. Society for Conservation Biology North American Conference, Reno, Nevada.
Selected Grants
North American Congress for Conservative Biology (2022). Financial support award. Graduate Student Senate. (2019). Funding for professional development.
Invited Participations
Russo-Petrick, K. (2021). Acoustic bat monitoring. Oak Openings Blue Week. Russo-Petrick, K. (2020). Bats of northwest Ohio. Oak Openings Blue Week, Remote.
