D. Muñoz | Gvl Website

Diana Muñoz - Graduate Group in Ecology

Research Interests

Conservation, ecotoxicology, host-microbe interactions, ornithology, vultures

I'm a PhD Candidate in the Graduate Group in Ecology. Prior to graduate school, I worked in Federal agencies primarily with threatened or endangered species, including California Condors, Giant Gartersnakes, and Greater Sage-Grouse.

My research focuses on uncovering environmental factors at different scales that directly or indirectly influence demographic rates.

B.S., Avian Sciences, University of California - Davis

Coates, P.S., O’Neil, S.T., Muñoz, D.A., Dwight, I.A. and J.C. Tull. 2021. Sage-Grouse Population Dynamics are Adversely Affected by Overabundant Feral Horses. Journal of Wildlife Management 85(6): 1132 – 1149.

Muñoz, D.A., Coates, P.S. and M.A. Ricca. 2021. Free-roaming horses disrupt greater sage-grouse lekking activity in the Great Basin. Journal of Arid Environments 184: 104304.

Fulton, A.M. and D.A. Muñoz. 2018. Thamnophis gigas (Giant Gartersnake). Diet. Herpetological Review 49(4): 764-765.

Using CRISPR-based SHERLOCK to detect Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis: This fungal pathogen has devastated amphibian populations worldwide. We are developing an assay that will rapidly detect zoospores in field settings.

Characterizing the California Condor microbiome at multiple life stages: Microbes interact with their hosts in intricate ways and both are influenced by the external environment. We are identifying external factors that influence the condor microbiome during the juvenile and adult life stage.

Drivers of Black-crowned Night-Heron nest survival on Alcatraz Island: In collaboration with the US Geological Survey and National Park Service, I am identifying environmental factors that affect black-crowned night-heron nest survival on Alcatraz Island using a 30-year dataset.