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Gracia DongView profile

Assistant Professor

• Healthcare Equity
• Population Health
• Statistics Education
• +6 more

Gracia Dong is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, at the University of Toronto, jointly appointed with the Human Biology Program and the Department of Statistical Sciences. She is affiliated with the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) and focuses on healthcare equity and vulnerable population modeling. PhD, MMath, BMath in Statistics from the University of Waterloo Her research spans computational statistics, quasi-Monte Carlo methods, and population health, with applications in healthcare access disparities and statistical education. Current projects involve Bayesian capture-recapture models for estimating COVID-19 prevalence in homeless populations using electronic health records. Recent peer-reviewed work includes methodological advancements in quasi-Monte Carlo sampling, service utilization analysis for marginalized groups, and hierarchical survival modeling for overdose prediction. She has received the CANSSI Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022–2024) and collaborates with researchers at the University of Victoria and University of Toronto. CANSSI Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship Gracia has taught courses in statistics and human biology at the University of Toronto, University of Victoria, and University of Waterloo, emphasizing interdisciplinary applications and data-driven problem-solving.

• Freshwater Ecology
• Malacology
• Invasive Species Management
• +3 more

Bruce J. Stephen is a researcher at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln specializing in freshwater ecology and malacology, with extensive work on Nebraska's gastropod biodiversity and invasive species management. His research is primarily conducted through the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, focusing on conservation status assessments and ecological dynamics of freshwater systems. His research interests center on freshwater gastropod ecology , particularly the distribution patterns and conservation needs of indigenous species versus invasive threats like Bellamya chinensis . Key methodologies include ecoregion-based biodiversity surveys, population dynamics modeling, and chemical/physical control testing for invasive species. His work emphasizes practical conservation applications through quartile-based status assessments and habitat-specific management recommendations. Stephen's publication trends reveal consistent focus on invasive species ecology (85% of works), with dominant themes in population monitoring techniques (mark-recapture, thermal tolerance), conservation status quantification, and chemical control efficacy. His research spans Nebraska's major ecoregions with particular emphasis on reservoir systems and wetland complexes. Stephen has collaborated extensively with the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit on multi-year projects examining Chinese mystery snail ecology. His work demonstrates strong institutional partnerships with state conservation agencies, though no individual scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. His research methodology frequently employs field-based population studies in Nebraska reservoirs, utilizing mark-recapture techniques and environmental parameter monitoring. Current work appears focused on refining conservation status metrics for indigenous gastropods while developing targeted management protocols for invasive species.

• Biological Dosimetry
• Statistical Modeling
• Count Data Analysis
• +4 more

Pedro Puig Casado is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). He holds a Ph.D. and Degree in Mathematical Sciences from UAB (1997 and 1982, respectively). His research focuses on advanced stochastic modeling, particularly in biological dosimetry, count data analysis, Bayesian methods, and extreme event risk assessment. He has led multiple interdisciplinary projects funded by institutions like the European Regional Development Fund and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Key projects include statistical modeling of extreme events and health risks (2023-2026), and prior initiatives on environmental/technological health risks (2016-2022). His work integrates statistical methodologies with applications in radiation biology, epidemiology, and environmental science. Recent publications address population estimation in ecological studies, R-based dosimetry tools, and Bayesian approaches to non-stationary time series analysis. He has supervised 9 theses and contributed to datasets like Biodose Tools for radiation dosimetry. His collaborative networks span international institutions, reflecting his expertise in applied statistics with societal impact aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals in education and health.

Laura CowenView profile

Professor

• Ecological Statistics
• Capture-Recapture Methods
• Tag Loss Models
• +5 more

Laura Cowen is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Victoria, specializing in ecological statistics with a focus on capture-recapture methods. Her work addresses real-world challenges in wildlife, fisheries, and public health, including estimating population parameters for species like seabirds and fishery populations, and modeling hidden human populations such as injection drug users and homeless individuals. She leads the Cowen Lab, committed to interdisciplinary collaboration and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives. Her research integrates statistical methods with ecological and public health applications, including tag loss modeling, hidden Markov models, and large-scale data analysis. She collaborates with diverse fields such as microbiology, sociology, and anthropology. Key projects include estimating salmon exploitation rates, California sea cucumber movement, and lemur population viability in fragmented habitats. Cowen received her PhD from Simon Fraser University and has held roles in initiatives like the VADA (Visualization and Data Analytics) team and the WHALE program at SFU. She was awarded the 2025 Bob Riffenburgh Award for bridging statistical ecology and public health applications, including pandemic modeling and serotype occupancy analysis. Her lab emphasizes fostering an inclusive environment and supports Indigenous student initiatives through AISES chapter formation and travel awards.

Gon RatanashevornView profile

Assistant Professor

• LGBTQ+ Mental Health
• Cultural Competency
• Cultural Humility
• +7 more

Gon Ratanashevorn is an Assistant Professor in the Professional Mental Health Counseling Program at Lewis & Clark College, where he serves as core faculty teaching Research Methods in Counseling and Group Counseling for Adults. His work centers on social justice advocacy for marginalized communities, particularly the LGBTIQ+ population and Asian international students across Thailand and the U.S. Dr. Ratanashevorn's educational background includes: PhD in Counseling, University of Missouri, St. Louis (2024) MA, Chulalongkorn University (2013) BS, Chulalongkorn University (2009) His research synthesizes LGBTQ+ cultural competency, cultural humility, and intersectionality with clinical applications in college counseling, trauma-informed therapy, and existential humanistic approaches. Methodologically grounded in qualitative research and constructivist grounded theory, his work prioritizes amplifying marginalized voices through group counseling frameworks. Analysis of his 2016-2024 publications reveals consistent focus on LGBTQ+ mental health disparities, cultural humility implementation, and Southeast Asian mental health contexts. His scholarship demonstrates increasing emphasis on therapeutic alliance measurement and international policy implications, particularly regarding Thailand's mental health infrastructure. Dr. Ratanashevorn's scholarly recognition includes: Ralph F. Berdie Memorial Research Award (American Counseling Association, 2024) Multicultural Assessment & Research in Counseling Student Grant Award (2023) As core faculty, he mentors students in research methodology and clinical practice while facilitating nationwide LGBTQ+ cultural competence workshops. His decade of college counseling experience directly informs both pedagogy and community advocacy efforts, including conference presentations on co-occurring disorders and Asian international student advocacy. Though no dedicated research labs are documented, his clinical work operates within university counseling centers, emphasizing collaborative community-based interventions for marginalized populations.

• Causal Inference
• Machine Learning
• Nonparametric Methods
• +4 more

Edward H. Kennedy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics & Data Science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), part of the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He joined CMU in 2016 after earning his PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). His academic journey includes a BA in Mathematics (UPenn, 2007), MA in Statistics (Wharton School, 2014), MS in Biostatistics (University of Michigan, 2009), and PhD in Biostatistics (UPenn, 2016). His research focuses on causal inference, machine learning, and nonparametric methods, with applications in criminal justice, healthcare, and public policy. Notable contributions include work on incremental treatment effects, sensitivity analysis, and counterfactual prediction. Key awards include the Mortimer Spiegelman Award, NSF CAREER Award, and Thomas Ten Have Award. Dr. Kennedy advises PhD students on topics ranging from theoretical statistics to applied policy analysis. His work integrates advanced statistical techniques with real-world challenges, emphasizing methodological rigor and practical impact. He maintains an active research group and contributes to open-source software like the AIPW and drpop packages.

Peter van der HeijdenView profile

Professor

• Categorical Data Analysis
• Population Size Estimation
• Capture-Recapture Methods
• +3 more

Professor Peter van der Heijden is a prominent academic in Social Statistics at the University of Southampton and concurrently holds a professorship in Statistics for Social and Behavioral Sciences at Utrecht University since 1992. He chairs the Advisory Council on Methodology and Quality at Statistics Netherlands and serves on the Executive Board of the European Commission’s ESAC. His research focuses on categorical data analysis, population size estimation (via capture-recapture), randomized response techniques, and correspondence analysis. Key projects include estimating ethnic group populations in New Zealand and developing methodologies for active learning stop rules. Education: Not explicitly detailed in the provided texts, but academic roles suggest advanced degrees in statistics. External Roles: Chair at Statistics Netherlands (2015–present), Chair at European Commission (2019–present). Research interests emphasize innovative statistical methods for sensitive topics, including human trafficking prevalence monitoring and methodological advancements for census improvements. He collaborates with institutions like Statistics Netherlands and the ESRC on projects such as the SPF ‘UK Population Laboratory’. His work has produced impactful studies, such as the 2021 REF case study on human trafficking and contributions to global guidelines on slavery estimation. Awards include election to the International Statistical Institute (1995). Grants/Projects: ESRC-funded ‘UK Population Laboratory’, SPF collaborations, and multiple system estimation for Māori population studies in New Zealand. Advising: Supervises PhD students Mark Piatek and Ceejay Anne Hammond, focusing on social statistics and demography. Labs/Teams: Active member of the Statistical Sciences Research Institute (S3RI) and collaborates with interdisciplinary groups on official statistics and methodological innovation.

Richard ChandlerView profile

Professor

• Wildlife Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• (Meta)population Viability
• +4 more

Dr. Richard Chandler is a Professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Management at the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. His research focuses on population dynamics, conservation biology, and spatial ecology, with particular emphasis on trailing-edge populations, metapopulation viability, and agricultural conservation. He holds a Ph.D. in Wildlife Conservation (University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2010), M.S. (2006), and B.S. (2002) in related fields. Education: Ph.D. Wildlife Conservation (UMass Amherst, 2010); M.S. Wildlife Conservation (UMass Amherst, 2006); B.S. Wildlife Biology (University of Vermont, 2002). Research interests include modeling population viability, spatial capture-recapture methods, and the ecological impacts of climate change. His lab develops statistical frameworks to evaluate conservation strategies in agricultural landscapes and endangered species management. Key research themes include: (Meta)population viability assessments for species like the Chiricahua leopard frog and Louisiana black bear; trailing-edge population dynamics in the southern Appalachian Mountains; spatial predator-prey dynamics in South Florida deer and Florida panther systems; and conservation strategies in agroecosystems. Recent work emphasizes integrating field data with hierarchical models to forecast population responses to environmental changes. Publications span ecological modeling, conservation genetics, and applied wildlife management. His work often combines statistical innovation with practical conservation outcomes, such as optimizing monitoring protocols for ruffed grouse in Georgia and evaluating habitat restoration for migratory birds. Collaborators include federal agencies (USGS, FWS) and international institutions like the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Perry de ValpineView profile

Professor

• Ecological Modeling
• Computational Statistics
• Population Ecology
• +2 more

Perry de Valpine is Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley. He holds a PhD in Ecology from UC Davis (2000) and a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from Yale University (1993). His research develops mathematical models and statistical methods for complex ecological systems, with focus on computational frameworks for hierarchical modeling. Research includes ecological applications to bird communities, forest dynamics, species distributions, and population ecology. Leads development of NIMBLE statistical computing platform for Bayesian analysis. Directs the de Valpine Research Group investigating population dynamics and computational statistics. Teaching responsibilities include courses on ecological modeling and statistical computing. Maintains active research program bridging ecology, statistics, and computational methods.

Larry LeiserView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Criminal Justice
• Prosecution Strategies
• Victim Advocacy
• +3 more

Larry Leiser is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University, where he has taught for 24 years. He concurrently serves as a member of the Provost's Adjunct Faculty Committee. With a 42-year career as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, he specialized in prosecuting federal crimes, following prior roles as an Assistant County Prosecutor in New Jersey and a Trial Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice's Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section. He co-founded and led the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys, reflecting his leadership in legal advocacy. Leiser holds a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law and a B.S. in Sociology from the University of Scranton. His professional affiliations include the Virginia Bar Association and Fairfax County Bar Association. His research and publications span criminal justice policy, legal ethics, and wildlife management, blending academic and practical expertise. Notably, his work addresses human-wildlife conflict resolution and biodiversity conservation through empirical studies on species like coyotes, elephants, and endangered carnivores. Leiser's academic contributions emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to criminology, integrating legal frameworks with ecological and sociological perspectives. His recent publications analyze public attitudes toward urban wildlife management and explore genetic and behavioral facets of species conservation. Despite no explicitly listed awards, his extensive legal and academic service underscores his impact in both fields.

Bernard BaffourView profile

Associate Professor

• Survey Methodology
• Census Methodology
• Official Statistics
• +5 more

AsPr Bernard Baffour is an Associate Professor at the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, affiliated with the School of Demography and research hubs including The Migration Hub and The Population Lab. He holds a PhD in Social Statistics from the University of Southampton and has expertise in survey methodology, census methods, and statistical analysis of sparse data. His research focuses on migration, indigenous demography, and public health, with a strong emphasis on methodological innovation in population studies. Education: PhD in Social Statistics (University of Southampton), MSc in Social Statistics, MSc in Applied Statistics, BSc (hons) in Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics. Research Interests: Survey design, census methodologies, official statistics, migration patterns, indigenous demography, and applications of statistical methods to public health challenges. He has contributed to projects on small area estimation, spatial analysis of health disparities, and algorithmic fairness in immigration systems. Advising and Grants: Registered to supervise research students and leads projects funded by ANU and external partners, including studies on racism in universities, spatial analysis of malnutrition in Africa/Asia, and small-area estimation of child mortality using big data. Notable collaborations include work on Australia’s visa system inequities and geostatistical modeling of child health outcomes. Labs/Teams: Active in The Migration Hub and The Population Lab at ANU, focusing on interdisciplinary demographic research and policy impact.

Marie Auger-MéthéView profile

Associate Professor

• Statistical Ecology
• Animal Movement Analysis
• Conservation Biology
• +3 more

Marie Auger-Méthé is an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of British Columbia (UBC), holding a Canada Research Chair (CRC Tier 2). Her research integrates statistical methods with ecological questions to study animal behavior, movement, health, and space use. She develops advanced statistical tools to address complex ecological datasets, particularly focusing on marine species in temperate and polar ecosystems. Her work emphasizes conservation applications, such as creating solutions for species at risk. She is affiliated with UBC's Vancouver Campus, specifically in the Earth Sciences Building. Her research spans statistical ecology, including habitat selection modeling, animal tracking data analysis, and the incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge into ecological studies. She collaborates on projects involving polar bears, whales, penguins, and seabirds, addressing topics like migration patterns, foraging strategies, and climate change impacts. She has pioneered methods for hidden Markov models, spatial capture-recapture, and Bayesian approaches to integrate diverse datasets. Dr. Auger-Méthé's work is published in high-impact journals and has been featured in media outlets. She actively contributes to statistical ecology education and interdisciplinary collaborations, aiming to bridge ecological theory and applied conservation challenges.

Christopher O'BryanView profile

Research Fellow

• Conservation Biology
• Human-Wildlife Conflict
• Invasive Species Management
• +4 more

Dr. Christopher O'Bryan is a conservation scientist at the School of the Environment, University of Queensland. With a PhD completed in 2020 on "The exposure and contribution of predators and scavengers to humans," his research focuses on the complex interactions between humans and wildlife, particularly in the context of conservation and environmental management. His research interests include: Human-wildlife conflict and coexistence strategies Invasive species management and ecological impacts Predator and scavenger ecology and their contributions to human well-being Conservation planning in multi-actor systems Social-ecological systems and collaborative governance Global biodiversity conservation challenges Dr. O'Bryan's recent publications reveal a strong focus on developing practical conservation solutions that address both ecological and social dimensions. His work often employs interdisciplinary approaches, combining ecological field studies with social science methods to understand complex conservation challenges. A significant portion of his research examines how collaborative networks can improve invasive species management outcomes and how human activities impact wildlife populations globally, with particular emphasis on African ecosystems. His scientific contributions have been published in high-impact journals including Nature Ecology & Evolution, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Global Change Biology, and Communications Biology. His work has practical applications for conservation policy and management, particularly regarding human-wildlife interactions and invasive species control. Dr. O'Bryan is actively involved in international research collaborations across multiple continents. His work frequently addresses conservation challenges in developing countries, with particular emphasis on African ecosystems and communities affected by human-wildlife interactions. He has contributed to both theoretical frameworks and practical conservation tools that help bridge the gap between scientific research and on-the-ground management.

• Ecology
• Marine Biology
• Statistics
• +3 more

Dr. Ian Durbach is a Senior Research Fellow at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews. His research focuses on applying statistical and computational methods to ecological and behavioral problems, including marine mammal behavior, conservation biology, decision science, and sports analytics. He has collaborated on projects involving spatial capture-recapture modeling for wildlife populations, acoustic identification of species, and risk perception in extreme sports. His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations with marine biologists, ecologists, and sports scientists. Education: Not explicitly stated in provided texts. Key Research Themes: Population assessment, animal behavior analysis, sports performance modeling, decision support systems, and conservation strategies. His recent publications emphasize innovative applications of machine learning and statistical frameworks to ecological and behavioral datasets, such as Hidden Markov models for athlete performance tracking and deep learning for species identification. Dr. Durbach’s work also addresses methodological challenges in environmental monitoring and policy-relevant conservation assessments. He has contributed to collaborative reports on fisheries interactions, snow leopard population assessments, and marine mammal conservation strategies. While no specific grants or awards are listed, his active publication record indicates sustained research engagement.

Chris SutherlandView profile

Associate Professor

• Ecological Statistics
• Conservation Biology
• Spatial Capture-Recapture Models
• +4 more

Dr. Chris Sutherland is a Reader in Statistics at the University of St Andrews, affiliated with the School of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Statistics. He holds an adjunct position as Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts. His research focuses on statistical ecology, conservation biology, and spatial capture-recapture models, addressing challenges in biodiversity monitoring, wildlife population dynamics, and human-wildlife interaction. He has contributed to high-impact studies on rewilding policies, tropical forest biodiversity loss, and AI integration in ecological workflows. Dr. Sutherland advises six PhD students and has been recognized with the Wildlife Society’s Biometrics Appreciation Award (2021). His work spans datasets on camera trap analysis, eDNA applications, and ecological modeling tools. He serves on editorial boards for Journal of Applied Ecology and Methods in Ecology and Evolution , emphasizing methodological rigor in ecological research.