Spotlight on Rommel Zulueta: From Aspiring Doctor to Pioneering Ecologist

Born in the Philippines and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Rommel Zulueta's journey from a young immigrant to a leading research scientist at Battelle is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. His early life, marked by his family's move to the United States when he was just two, laid the foundation for a future filled with curiosity and dedication.

Rommel's parents, a lawyer and a registered nurse by profession in the Philippines, took on various roles in the U.S. to provide for their family. Their emphasis on education and hard work deeply influenced Rommel, steering him towards a career that began in medicine but ultimately found its true calling in ecology.

During his undergraduate studies at San Diego State University (SDSU), Rommel initially pursued a pre-med program. However, a chance encounter with a summer research opportunity in Alaska shifted his trajectory towards environmental science. This experience, part of a study with the Global Change Research Group at SDSU, involved measuring ecosystem carbon fluxes in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. The rigorous fieldwork and the profound connection with nature he developed there made Rommel realize his passion lay not in medicine, but in understanding and preserving ecosystems.

Rommel adjusting a portable gas analyzer used to measure ecosystem CO2 fluxes on the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve

After earning his degree in Ecology with a minor in English, Rommel's career continued to evolve through his involvement in various research projects. He joined another NSF-funded project, still within SDSU's research group, where he honed his skills in establishing and operating eddy covariance flux towers across Alaska's arctic regions. This role not only deepened his expertise but also introduced him to cutting-edge techniques in measuring ecosystem fluxes.

Rommel's commitment to field research led him to pursue a PhD, during which he embarked on an ambitious project involving aircraft-based flux measurements in collaboration with the NOAA Atmospheric Turbulence Diffusion Division (ATDD). His work took him across diverse locations, from the icy expanses of Alaska to the plains of Nebraska and the mangroves of Baja California Sur in Mexico, capturing precise regional-scale fluxes from the unique vantage point of a pilot— a license he obtained specifically for his PhD dissertation work.

While completing his PhD, Rommel took on a leadership role at the University of Alaska Anchorage, leading a NASA-funded research project on carbon and nutrient flows in post-glaciated ecosystems. His expertise in terrestrial ecosystems was further recognized when he joined the Terrestrial Instrumentation System (TIS) science team for NEON, overseeing the construction of terrestrial infrastructure across 47 sites with minimal ecological impact.

An SDSU Sky Arrow aircraft piloted for flux instrumentation research

As the construction of NEON neared completion, Rommel assumed leadership of the NEON Assignable Asset Program, now known as the NEON Research Support Services (NRSS). In this role, he leads a team that facilitates external research at NEON sites, providing critical support and resources to researchers nationwide.

Rommel's extensive field experiences in the Arctic, from operating flux towers to conducting aerial surveys, have not only enhanced his understanding of these fragile ecosystems but also underscored his dedication to ecological science. His interactions with Alaskan native communities and his exposure to the Arctic's unique environmental dynamics have enriched his research, broadening his perspective on ecological and cultural complexities

Rommel establishing a long-term eddy covariance tower in Utqiagvik, Alaska

One memorable moment in his career occurred while flying a flux measurement transect over the Arctic Ocean near Utqiagvik, Alaska. Spotting a polar bear emerging from the water onto the sea ice, Rommel was vividly reminded of the importance and impact of his work in these extreme environments.  At this moment, he took everything in and thought to himself, “I love my job.”

Rommel’s journey from a curious undergraduate to a leader in ecological research highlights his profound impact on the field, driven by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a commitment to environmental stewardship. His story is not just about the transition from aspiring doctor to pioneering ecologist; it's about embracing change and finding one's true passion in the service of a greater good.