Joy Marie O'Keefe

Joy Marie O'Keefe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a joint appointment at the Prairie Research Institute. Her research focuses on bat ecology and conservation, with particular emphasis on species affected by white-nose syndrome and habitat management strategies.

Her primary research interests include:

• Bat ecology and conservation biology
• White-nose syndrome impacts on bat populations
• Artificial roosts and bat box effectiveness
• Urban ecology and biodiversity
• Wildlife trafficking and illegal trade of bat species
• Acoustic monitoring techniques for population assessment

Dr. O'Keefe's recent research examines critical conservation challenges, including the online ornamental trade of bats, acoustic monitoring methods for population density estimation, and improving artificial roost designs. Her work bridges fundamental ecological research with practical conservation applications, as evidenced by her publications in Conservation Biology, Ecology and Evolution, and other high-impact journals.

Her research has received significant media attention, with multiple publications covered by dozens of news outlets and widely shared across social media platforms. Her 2024 paper on artificial roosts for bats was particularly impactful, receiving coverage from 11 news outlets and substantial engagement on social media.