SAN DIEGO - Allison Alberts was named the new director of conservation and research for the Zoological Society of San Diego, it was announced Friday.

Alberts has led the Applied Conservation Division of the society since 2000.

She'll be responsible for ongoing conservation efforts and science, including field projects around the world.

"Dr. Alberts is taking on the task of leading the Zoological Society's important efforts to learn about and preserve endangered species and their habitats," said Douglas Myers, the society's chief executive officer.

Alberts helped reintroduce California condors to their habitats in Baja California and placed Caribbean iguanas back into the wild.

She is also an expert on native Southern California species, Myers said.