Lee Kats

Dr. Lee Kats' current research is on the causes of an amphibian decline in Southern California. He and his students focus their studies on the effects of ultraviolet radiation, wildfire and the introduction of exotic species. He has a significant background in the areas of animal behavior, conservation, animal ecology, tropical biology, and stream ecology. He conducts most of his research in the Santa Monica Mountains of Southern California; however, he also leads classes and conducts research in Costa Rica and Argentina.

Kats has taught at Pepperdine for 19 years. He currently serves as the Associate Provost for Research. He has published numerous research articles on amphibian ecology and conservation ecology and has served on the Board of Editors for the scientific journal Conservation Biology since 1996 and recently joined the editorial board of the European scientific journal on freshwater biology, Hydrobiologia.

Full Bio

Research and Scholarship

• Bucciarelli, G.M, D Suh, A. Davis, D. Roberts, D. Sharpton, H.B. Shaffer, R.N. Fisher and L.B. Kats. 2018. Assessing effects of non-native crayfish on mosquito survival. Conservation Biology

• Ota, W.M., B. Olsen, G.M. Bucciarelli, and L.B. Kats. 2018. The effect of newt toxin on an invasive snail. Hydrobiologia

• Velasco, M.A., I. Berkunsky, M.V. Simoy, S. Quiroga, G.M. Bucciarelli, L.B. Kats and F. P. Kacoliris. 2017. The rainbow trout is affecting the occupancy of native amphibians in Patagonia. Hydrobiologia

• Bucciarelli, G.M., H.B. Shaffer, D.B. Green and L.B. Kats. 2017. An amphibian chemical defense is inducible across life history stages. Scientific Reports

Media Appearances

• On-Camera Interview and Profile: "Stories of the Bay - inspired tales from Santa Monica Bay," Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation