Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The San Diego Zoo Conservation Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, initiated in 2000, makes it possible for Ph.D.-qualified scientists to undertake fieldwork on endangered species or habitats for periods ranging from three to five years. Preference is given to studies of species that are represented in the collections at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park. These field endeavors utilize a common approach that includes:

completing a needs assessment that determines the biological requirements necessary for species and habitat survival
determining knowledge gaps for target species and designing research activities that address those gaps and can potentially be applied to other species
partnering with stakeholders, with particular attention to individuals and institutions that could ultimately be effective managers of the programs in perpetuity
disseminating workplans on a regional basis to include as many species and species assemblages as possible.

Conservation Research Postdoctoral Fellows

Bill Ellis, Ph.D.—Koalas
Charles Knapp, Ph.D.—Iguanas
Brian Horne, Ph.D.—Turtles
James Sheppard, Ph.D.—Condors
Michael Chase, Ph.D.—Elephants
Anthony Nsubuga, Ph. D.—African Primates
Leonel A. Lopez Toledo Ph.D.—Palms
Josephine Braun, DVM, Ph.D.—Pathology at Desert Tortoise Conservation Center
Sarah Jamieson, Ph.D.—Kiwis

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