Nathan J Hostetter, PhD
Assistant Unit Leader - North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Dr. Hostetter joined the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in 2021, where he is an Assistant Unit Leader and Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Ecology at North Carolina State University. As a quantitative population ecologist, Nathan investigates factors driving spatial and temporal variation in demography, distribution, and abundance of wild populations.
Nathan investigates factors driving spatial and temporal variation in demography, distribution, and abundance of wild populations. His research unites principles in population ecology, movement ecology, and landscape ecology through integrated modeling approaches that link field data to population processes in terrestrial and aquatic landscapes, and across taxonomic lines (birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish). His research broadly focuses on three themes: (1) developing scientifically sound integrated sampling and analytical methods for abundance and demographic rate estimation, (2) applying modeling and decision science tools to support management and conservation actions, and (3) understanding population-level responses to climate change, land use management, and conservation efforts. Nathan’s work has been critical to improving monitoring and management of species of conservation concern, invasive species, game and nongame species, and has resulted in more powerful tools for understanding fish and wildlife populations and the landscapes that support them.
Professional Experience
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ECOLOGIST, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, September 2016 - current
PH.D. GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT, North Carolina State University Raleigh, North, January 2013 – September 2016
ASSOCIATE BIOLOGIST, Real Time Research, Inc. January 2010 – December 2012
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT, Oregon State University
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, 2016, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Beth Gardner, Dr. Ted Simons co-advisors
M.S. Wildlife Science, 2010, Oregon St
Abstracts and Presentations
Estimating abundance by integrating different sampling methods with varying spatial scales. *Hostetter, N.J, B. Gardner, A.T. Gilbert, K.A. Williams, and R.R. Veit. International Statistical Ecology Conference, 2015 [oral presentation]
Estimating marine bird abundance in offshore wind development areas: integrating boat and digital aerial surveys. *Hostetter, N.J, B. Gardner, H.F. Goyert, A.T. Gil