Dr. Dana Karelus is a Research Scientist with Borderlands Research Institute. Her research is on carnivore ecology, with specific focus on animal movement patterns, space-use and habitat selection, and population ecology and dynamics. Prior to joining the BRI team, Dana completed her PhD from the University of Florida in interdisciplinary ecology with a focus in wildlife ecology and conservation, under the advisement of Dr. Madan Oli. Her dissertation was on Florida black bear movement ecology and habitat selection in a fragmented landscape. Dana’s Bachelor’s degree is in mechanical engineering from the University of South Florida. She worked as an engineer at Kennedy Space Center in Space Shuttle launch operations before returning to school for her PhD.

Karelus, D. L., J. W. McCown, B. K. Scheick, and M. K. Oli. 2018. Microhabitat features influencing habitat use by Florida black bears. Global Ecology and Conservation
13: e00367

Karelus, D. L., J. W. McCown, B. K. Scheick, M. van de Kerk, B. M. Bolker, and M. K. Oli. 2017. Effects of environmental factors and landscape features on movement patterns of Florida black bears. Journal of Mammalogy. gyx066. doi: 10.1093/jmammal/gyx066

Karelus, D. L., J. W. McCown, B. K. Scheick, M. van de Kerk, and M. K. Oli. 2016. Home Ranges and Habitat Selection by Black Bears in a Newly Colonized Population in Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 15(2):346-364.