Natalie Chazal

Natalie Chazal

PhD Student

Oregon State University

About Me

I am a Wildlife Science PhD student in the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab at Oregon State University. In my first year I will be working with ongoing projects focused on using machine learning methods to process preyscape acoustics data. Other future projects will include a scar analysis of the PCFG gray whales. This project will utilize drone imagery of gray whales and computer vision to categorize and assess the scarring patterns on the backs of these animals and use the longitudinal data available to correlate the scarring patterns seen on individuals to the risk level of certain areas.

Broadly, I’m interested in utilizing quantitative ecology and geospatial analysis to develop tools that will contribute to understanding the relationships between animals, humans, and our shared environments.

Through the focus of animal systems, I aim to discover and communicate the science necessary to provide conservation based management solutions for organizations involved in the maintenance and improvement of the beautifully elaborate interfaces between ecology and agriculture/mariculture.

Download my CV.

Download my Master's Thesis.

Education
  • M.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering - Systems Analysis, 2023

    North Carolina State University

  • Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, 2022

    Center for Geospatial Analytics

  • B.S. in Animal Science - Veterinary Biosciences, 2021

    North Carolina State University

  • B.S. in Zoology, 2021

    North Carolina State University

Skills

R
Python
GIS
Animal Science
Ecology
Photography

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab
Wildlife Science, PhD Student
Aug 2023 – Present Newport, Oregon
 
 
 
 
 
Biosystems Analytics Lab
Biological and Agricultural Systems Analysis, Master’s Student
Aug 2021 – May 2023 Raleigh, North Carolina

Developed predictive models to forecast shellfish harvesting closures in Florida’s coastal waters.

Performed trend analyses on historic shellfish sanitation data to inform past water quality trends in North Carolina’s shellfish growing waters.

 
 
 
 
 
Biosystems Analytics Lab
Biosystems Analytics Lab, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Aug 2020 – May 2021 Raleigh, North Carolina
Developed a tool that scrapes spatial information pertaining to shellfish harvesting area closures from North Carolina’s Division of Marine Fisheries published water closures.
 
 
 
 
 
Duke University Marine Lab
Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Aug 2019 – May 2021 Raleigh, North Carolina
Performed spatial analyses for the largest colony of Black-browed albatross in the Falkland Islands using GIS to research spatial attribute effecting the ecology on the island.
 
 
 
 
 
Langerhans Lab
NCSU, Study Abroad Undergraduate Research Assistant
Aug 2018 – May 2021 Raleigh, North Carolina

Conducted research with a team of NCSU students, comparing the diel behavioral changes in Bahamas mosquitofish from differing predation regimes situated in inland blue holes on Andros Island.

Took courses in ecological, evolutionary, and human dimensions of conservation biology in Andros, Bahamas.

Accomplish­ments

Park Scholarship
The Park Scholarship is a four-year scholarship awarded on the basis of outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Projects

Machine Learning Methods to Predict Fecal Coliforms In Florida's Coastal Waters

Machine Learning Methods to Predict Fecal Coliforms In Florida’s Coastal Waters

Developing predictive models for fecal coliforms in shellfish growing waters along Florida’s coast

Mining Historical Shellfish Sanitation Data

Mining Historical Shellfish Sanitation Data

Using shellfish sanitation data to inform water quality trends on North Carolina’s coast

Contact