I am an ecosystem ecologist with interests in conservation and the dynamic relationship between humans and the environment. How do humans change ecological systems, and how do these changes in turn affect human behavior? What types of ecosystem and landscape management practices enhance environmental quality and human well-being? A bit of personal history: I grew up in Oakland, CA and graduated with a B.S. in Biology with a focus in Neuroscience. I became interested in the environment after spending the better part of a year diving in the kelp forests of the Monterey Bay and teaching at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I pursued an Ed.M. degree to get more experience in education, and then completed a Ph.D. in Ecosystem Science at UC Berkeley. After a brief post-doc, I became a faculty member in the interdisciplinary Environmental Science Program at The Colorado College.  In 2005, I joined the faculty in the School of Life Sciences at ASU.  On a daily basis, I feel lucky to work with talented, curious students and colleagues on important questions related to ecology, conservation and human-environment sustainability.

My name is Jennifer and I’ll be a senior at ASU this fall. I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with a focus on conservation biology and ecology. I was inspired to take this path when I encountered a fish biologist, and her passion fueled my curiosity for aquatic ecosystems. Still, when I was younger, I was fascinated by nature, particularly aquatic animals. This March I was fortunate enough to go on a study abroad trip to Baja California, where I was able to interact with the local fisheries and view marine mammals and fish in their natural habitat. Now I volunteer helping other ASU students with their research to learn how to apply scientific data to address ecological concerns.

Hello! I am a PhD candidate at Arizona State University with broad research interests in exploring how to equitably conserve and restore biologically-diverse ecosystems in landscapes that have been experiencing high levels of anthropogenic change, with particular focuses on urbanization and climate change. Originally from Richmond, California, I was a transfer student to University of California, Davis, where I completed my B.S. in Environmental Science & Management. Following a brief couple of years working in the field, I started grad school working on a MSc in Ecology at Utah State University, where I was a fellow in the USU Climate Adaptation Science program, studying systematic conservation planning. For my dissertation, I am studying how the ecological and social characteristics of urban landscapes influence wildlife community dynamics and, subsequently, shape interactions between people and urban biodiversity across a range of spatiotemporal scales. Further, I aim to work with local wildlife managers and urban decision-makers to better understand the social networks underlying the incorporation of ecological knowledge in landscape planning.

My name is Sydney and I’m an incoming third-year student at ASU. I’m currently majoring in biological sciences with a concentration in ecology and conservation biology. I developed a passion and curiosity for nature at an early age through my experiences in the relatively intact natural spaces around my home. In my senior year of high school, I took an environmental science class which solidified my passion for nature conservation and made me eager to pursue a career dedicated to furthering conservation efforts. I’m now particularly interested in understanding the ecosystem-wide effects of human activities and want to learn how to use scientific knowledge to enact change in environmental practices.

I graduated in 2017 from the University of Nevada, Reno with a B.S in Biology. After graduating I explored my love for biology and wildlife by completing an AmeriCorps term teaching underserved youth environmental science lessons. I also spent time as a biology instructor at my local community colleges, further developing a passion for biology and teaching. I will now be pursuing my M.S. in Biology in the hall lab. I am interested in understanding urbanization and the effect this has on wildlife. I am also interested in an interdisciplinary approach that investigates how socio-economic status influences human opinions of wildlife, wildlife interactions in urban areas, as well as population changes to wildlife. I want my research to inform future urbanization  practices, as well as bridge the gap between ecological and human issues.

 As a life-long Arizonan, I will be studying conservation ecology as it relates to Sonoran Desert ecosystems as a part of the CAP LTER. I currently work with the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation in the Phoenix Zoo as a Conservation Intern and in the herbarium of the ASU Biocollections.  I will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spring 2023 from Barrett, the Honors College and the School of Life Sciences with a degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology and a certificate in Geographic Information Systems. As a part of the 4 + 1 program, I’ll then finish my Master’s degree in Biology with the Hall Lab the following year.