Quantitative Ecology Research Associate

Kim Lato, Quantitative Ecology Research Associate.

Kimberly Lato, Ph.D.

Quantitative Ecology Research Associate
kim.lato@briwildlife.com

Kim is a seabird biologist and quantitative ecologist who joined BRI in 2024, where she will be primarily working on projects focused on offshore wind development, changes to marine ecosystems, and seabird tracking. Her previous work has focused on assessing the impacts of urban foraging on both gull trophic and movement ecology in the northeast US, and investigating biological drivers of sea turtle nesting behavior. Prior to working in wildlife research, Kim spent several years as an environmental educator and remains passionate about education and outreach.

In her role at BRI, Kim will support projects assessing benthic change in marine ecosystems in relation to offshore wind development.

Education & Certifications

  • Stony Brook University – Ph.D., Marine and Atmospheric Science, 2024
  • Binghamton University – B.S., Environmental Science, 2016

Research Interests

  • Anthropogenic impacts on wildlife
  • Seabird ecology
  • Trophic and food web dynamics
  • Movement ecology
  • Microplastics
  • Contaminants

Journal Articles

Lato, K.A., Fuirst, M., Veit, R.R., Thorne, L.H. (2023) Peri-urban systems alter trophic niche size and overlap in sympatric seabird species. Ecosphere. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4643 

Lato, K.A., Thorne, L.H. (2023) Effects of sodium heparin on ẟ 13C, ẟ 15N, and ẟ 34S values in avian whole blood. Ibis. doi: 10.1111/ibi.13195 

Lato, K.A., Stepanuk, J.E.F., Heywood, E., Conners, M., Thorne, L.H. (2022) Assessing the accuracy of altitude estimates of three commonly used seabird tracking devices. Plos One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0276098 

Lato, K.A., Madigan, D.J., Veit, R.R., Thorne, L.H. (2021) Closely related gull species show contrasting foraging strategies in an urban environment. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02821-y 

Lato, K.A., Fuirst, M., Thorne, L.H., Brownawell, B.J. (2021) Microplastics in gull nests in relation to urbanization. Marine Pollution Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112058

Grants, Awards & Fellowships

  • 2023- Liblit Scholarship. Stony Brook University.
  • 2022- Pikitch Family Endowed Student Research Award. Stony Brook University.
  • 2022- Student Research Grant. Animal Behavior Society.
  • 2022- Nisbet Award. The Waterbird Society.
  • 2022- Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research.
  • 2020- JR Schubel Fellowship. Stony Brook University