معرفی
Eric L. Walters is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology & Evolution from Florida State University (2004), an M.Sc. in Biology from the University of Victoria (1997), and a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Victoria (1990).
His research integrates behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and disease dynamics, with emphasis on:
- Cooperative breeding systems in acorn woodpeckers
- Migratory bird stopover ecology and habitat use
- Tick-borne pathogen transmission via avian hosts
- Urbanization impacts on bird-window collisions
- Social network analysis in avian communities
His publications focus on avian behavior, disease ecology, and conservation, with recurring themes of cooperative breeding dynamics, migration hazards, and host-parasite interactions. Research is frequently collaborative, involving multi-institutional teams.
Honors include:
- Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award (2024)
- Fellow, American Ornithological Society (2018)
- Distinguished Research Award (2023)
- Early Career Research Award (2015)
He leads federally funded projects like "Evolution of Cooperation in Social Woodpeckers" (NSF) and "Spatial Eco-Epidemiology of Tick-Borne Pathogens," mentoring students through ODU's research apprenticeship program. Fieldwork spans Virginia’s Eastern Shore, California oak woodlands, and collaborative sites across North America.
