About
Helen Bothwell is an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, specializing in Landscape Ecology and Conservation Genetics. Her research focuses on applying genetic and spatial modeling approaches to address global change impacts on ecosystems, particularly in foundational species like eucalyptus and Populus trees. She leads the Bothwell Conservation Genetics Lab, which collaborates with government agencies to inform conservation management through projects such as drought adaptation genomics and population viability assessments for Georgia black bears and ruffed grouse.
Education: B.S. in Conservation Biology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (2010), Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics from Northern Arizona University (2013), and Ph.D. in Biology from Northern Arizona University (2017). Her work bridges theoretical advances in landscape genetics with applied conservation solutions, emphasizing 'genes-to-ecosystems' frameworks to understand microevolutionary processes influencing macroscale biodiversity patterns.
Research Interests include spatial conservation prioritization, functional genomics of drought adaptation, and improving predictive models by integrating genetic data. Current projects span Australian eucalyptus restoration, North American Populus genetics, and Southeast Asian clouded leopard habitat modeling. Her lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to foster student development and practical outcomes.
Grants and Partnerships: Collaborates with Georgia DNR, Australian Research Council, and Global Felid Initiative to translate genetic insights into actionable conservation strategies. Lab members include graduate students and postdocs working on diverse topics from microbial community interactions to wildlife corridor design.
Lab Facilities: Utilizes advanced molecular labs, spatial modeling tools, and field research networks across multiple continents. Current initiatives prioritize climate-resilient forest restoration and genetic connectivity mapping for imperiled species.
