Martha Torstenson is a theoretical ecologist whose work has explored animal migration in the context of global change and pathogen evolution. As a postdoctoral researcher in Theresa Ong's lab, she is applying the tools of ecological theory to agroecosystems in order to understand and motivate transitions to sustainable food systems. Martha is also passionate about teaching and mentorship, with a particular focus on helping students apply mathematical tools to ecological questions. Outside of work, she enjoys running, knitting, and tending her garden.
Environmental Studies
Shaw AK, Fouda L, Mezzini S, Kim D, Chatterjee N, Wolfson D, Abrahms B, Attias N, Beardsworth CE, Beltran R, Binning SA, Chan Y, Fronhofer EA, Hegemann A, Hurme ER, Iannarilli F, Kellner JB, McCoy KD, Rafiq K, Saastamoinen M, Sequeira AMM, Serota MW, Sumasgutner P, Tao Y, Torstenson M, Yanco S, Beck KB, Bertram MG, Beumer LT, Bradarić M, Clermont J, Ellis-Soto D, Faltusová M, Fieberg J, Hall RJ, Kölzsch A, Lai S, Lee-Cruz L, Lorreto MC, Loveridge A, Michelangeli M, Mueller T, Riotte-Lambert L, Sapir N, Scacco M, Teitelbaum CS, Cagnacci F (2025) "Perceived and Observed Biases within Scientific Communities: A Case Study in Movement Ecology." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 292:2051. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.0679.
Shao C, Torstenson M, Shaw AK (2025) "Effect of Resistant Compartment on Pathogen Strategy in Partially Migratory Populations" PLOS One, 20(2) e0316640. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316640.
Torstenson M, Shaw AK (2025) "Strength of seasonality and type of migratory cue determine how the benefits of migration are affected by changing phenology" Oikos, 2025(1): e10862. https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.10862
Torstenson MS, Wolfson DW, Safran SM, Walton DJ, Hallberg AB, Kim D, Tan YF, Kramer GR, Andersen DE (2024) "Conservation of North American migratory birds: insights from emerging technologies" Avian Conservation and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-02749-190213
Shaw AK, Bisesi AT, Wojan C, Kim D, Torstenson M, Naven Narayanan, Lutz P, Ales R, Shao C (2024) "Six personas to adopt when framing theoretical research questions in biology" Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 291:20240803 https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.0803.
Torstenson M, Shaw AK (2024) "Pathogen evolution following spillover from a resident to a migrant host population depends on interactions between host pace of life and tolerance to infection." Journal of Animal Ecology, 93, 475-487. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.14075
Shaw AK, Torstenson M, Craft ME, Binning SA (2023) "Gaps in modelling animal migration with evolutionary game theory: infection can favour the loss of migration." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 378:20210506. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0506
Preprints
Verzuh T, Torstenson M, Tao Y, Fryxell J, Rutz C, Beltran R (preprint, in revision) "An urgent call to integrate movement ecology with conservation science" Authorea. December 16, 2024. doi: 10.22541/au.173437049.97671356/v1
Manuscripts available upon request
Torstenson M. & Shaw, AK (in press) "Population response to extreme climate events depends on population spatial distribution" Ecosphere.