Dr. Rena R. Borkhataria

Research Assistant Professor, and Director and National Coordinator, Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program Collaborative

Specialty: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

As Director and National Coordinator of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program (DDCSP) Collaborative, I coordinate implementation of the DDCSP at University of Florida, University of Arizona, University of Idaho, North Carolina State University, and Cornell University. My primary role is to develop a standardized curriculum to increase students' commitment to conservation by training them in conservation field skills, providing exciting research experiences and year-round structured mentoring, and developing their understanding and appreciation of the importance of diversity and inclusivity. I also conduct research on the ecology of wood storks in the southeastern US, use of telemetry data to understand habitat use, movement, and life histories, barriers to diversity in conservation, and wildlife-human interactions.

Program Areas

Research
  • Use of telemetry data to understand habitat use, movement, and life histories
  • Barriers to Diversity in Conservation (no hyperlink)
  • Wildlife-Human Interactions
Teaching
Publications
  • Wilkinson, K. A., R. S. Wells, W. E. Pine, and R. R. Borkhataria. 2016. Shark bite scar frequency in resident Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science. In press.
  • Bryan, Jr., A. L., C. N. Love, G. L. Mills, R. R. Borkhataria, and S. L. Lance. 2015.Is avian malaria associated with mercury uptake in wading bird nestlings? Journal of Wildlife Diseases 51:222-226.
  • Bryan Jr., A. L. and R. R. Borkhataria. 2013. Characterization of tidally influenced Wood Stork foraging habitats in Georgia. Southeastern Naturalist 124: 843-850.
  • Borkhataria, R.R., P.C. Frederick, and A.L. Bryan, Jr. 2013. Movements and habitat use by fledgling Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) prior to dispersal from the natal colony. Waterbirds 36:409-417.
  • Borkhataria, R.R., P.C. Frederick, R.A. Keller.  2012.  Regional wetland hydrology influences habitat use and postfledging survival of Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) in Florida, USA.  Auk 129:517-528.
  • Borkhataria, R.R., J.C. Collazo, and M.C. Groom.  2012.  Species abundances and potential biological control services in shade vs. sun coffee in Puerto Rico. Agriculture, Ecosystems, and the Environment 151:1-5.
  • Borkhataria, R.R., J.A. Collazo, M.J. Groom, and A. Jordan-Garcia.  2012.  Shade-grown coffee in Puerto Rico: opportunities to preserve biodiversity while reinvigorating a struggling agricultural commodity.  Agriculture, Ecosystems, and the Environment 149:164-170.
  • Borkhataria, R.R., G.S. Nuessly, E. Pearlstine, R. Cherry. 2012. Effects of blackbirds (Agelaius phoenicius) on stink bug (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) populations, damage, and yield in Florida rice. Florida Entomologist 95:143-149.
  • Frederick, P., A. Campbell, N. Jayasena, and R. Borkhataria.  2011. Survival of White Ibises (Eudocimus albus) in response to chronic experimental methylmercury exposure.  Ecotoxicology 20:358-364.
  • Borkhataria, R.R., P.C. Frederick, R.A. Hylton, A.L. Bryan, Jr., and J.A. Rodgers, Jr.  2008.  A preliminary model of Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) population dynamics in the Southeastern United States.  Waterbirds 31:42-49.
  • Borkhataria, R.R., J. Collazo, and M.J. Groom.  2006.  Additive effects of vertebrate predators on insects in a Puerto Rican coffee plantation.  Ecological Applications 16(2):696-703.
  • Czech, B. and R.R. Borkhataria.  2001.  The relationship of political party affiliation to wildlife conservation attitudes. Politics and the Life Sciences.  20(1):3-12.
  • Czech, B., P.R. Krausman, and R. Borkhataria.  1998.  Social construction, political power, and allocation of benefits to endangered species.  Conservation Biology 12: 1103-1112.