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Seba ContrerasView profile

Researcher

• Complex Systems
• Dynamical Systems
• Infectious Diseases
• +1 more

Seba Contreras is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Physics of Disease Spread at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization . His work bridges mathematical modelling , dynamical systems , and infectious disease epidemiology to uncover principles in outbreak controllability and disease dynamics. Dr. rer. nat. (Physics of Biological and Complex Systems, 2023) - Georg-August-Universität Göttingen MSc (Extractive Metallurgy, 2019) - Universidad de Chile BEng & Dipl.-Eng. (Civil Engineering, 2017) - Universidad de Chile His research integrates complex systems and infectious diseases with a focus on: Non-pharmaceutical interventions during pandemics Competition and co-infection dynamics between diseases Information-disease feedback loops Statistical methods for epidemiological data correction Parameter inference from limited medical datasets Machine learning applications in protein engineering Recent publications demonstrate expertise in machine learning for biological datasets, epidemic models with heterogeneous populations, and data-driven public health policy . Collaborations span human genetics , theoretical ecology , protein engineering , and social sciences across institutions in Chile and Germany.

Michelle GaitherView profile

Associate Professor

• Marine biology
• Ichthyology
• Genomics
• +7 more

Michelle Gaither is an Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida in the Department of Biological Sciences within the College of Sciences . Her research focuses on marine evolutionary ecology, particularly the formation of species through geographic isolation, ecological differentiation, and selection in deep-sea and coral reef fish lineages. Research Areas : Marine biodiversity, ichthyology, genomics, population genetics, eDNA applications Key Techniques : Genome sequencing, RADSeq, field-based studies, biogeographic modeling The Gaither Lab investigates how species form in marine environments, with projects on deep-sea grenadiers , hawkfishes , and surgeonfishes . They also pioneer eDNA as a biogeographic tool to assess biodiversity patterns and anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems. Recent publications highlight her lab’s work on: Environmental DNA optimization for invasive species detection (2025) Larval dispersal dynamics in South Pacific archipelagos (2025) Biogeographic barriers in tropical marine fish genetics (2024) Metadata curation challenges in global genetic diversity surveillance (2023) Her lab was recognized in UCF’s 2024 Founders’ Day Faculty Honors , and her students have received accolades like the Outstanding Student Presentation Award at the Indian River Lagoon Symposium (2024). Collaborative projects span global locations including the Arabian Peninsula , Chagos Archipelago , and Hawaiian Archipelago . Lab members include doctoral candidate Ashley Reaume (bioassessment toolkit), graduate students Samuel Greaves and Michelle Shaffer, and undergraduates Hillary Quach and Nadia Barsis. They employ interdisciplinary methods such as phylogenetics , coalescent modeling , and stable isotope analysis to address evolutionary questions.

• Ornithology
• Ecology
• Animal Behavior
• +3 more

Dr. Lyanne Brouwer is a researcher at James Cook University's College of Science and Engineering, specializing in Zoology and Ecology. Her work focuses on avian behavior, evolutionary strategies, and ecological impacts of environmental change. Academic Rank: Researcher Institution: James Cook University Dr. Brouwer's research spans ornithology , evolutionary biology , and ecology , with particular emphasis on cooperative breeding systems, parental investment, and climate change effects on bird populations. Her recent publications explore topics such as sex-ratio biases, paternity assurance mechanisms, and vocal communication in fairy-wrens. Scientific trends in her work include urban ecology (analyzing anthropogenic impacts), climate sensitivity (meta-analyzing global avian responses), and behavioral innovation (studying prenatal learning and rescue behaviors). She contributes to computational biology through tools like the HIPHOP R package for parentage analysis. Dr. Brouwer investigates ecological constraints in tropical coastal ecosystems and integrates fitness components across generations in cooperatively breeding species. Her work combines field studies with statistical modeling to understand population viability under environmental stressors.

Jeremy FoxView profile

Professor

• Community Ecology
• Ecological Restoration
• Mathematical Ecology
• +4 more

Jeremy W. Fox is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary. He holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Rutgers University (2000) and a BA from Williams College (1995). His work focuses on community assembly processes, combining experimental and theoretical approaches with microbial systems. Key interests include dispersal effects, ecosystem function, and the dynamics of competitive interactions. Research highlights include challenging the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (2013), quantifying biodiversity's role in ecosystem stability (2013), and analyzing meta-analytic approaches in ecology (2022). His lab explores how environmental fluctuations and species traits influence community structure and stability. Fox has been recognized with awards including the British Ecological Society Early Career Award (2007) and Alberta Ingenuity grants (2005-2007). Teaching includes courses on quantitative biology (ECOL 425, BIOL 315). His work emphasizes experimental rigor, theoretical frameworks, and open science practices. The Fox Lab's research spans ecological restoration, food web dynamics, and evolutionary ecology, with a focus on long-term community processes and their applied implications.

William PetermanView profile

Associate Professor

• Landscape Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Population Genetics
• +3 more

William Peterman is an Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Management at The Ohio State University. His research integrates field observation, molecular lab work, and quantitative modeling to study biodiversity responses to climate change, habitat alteration, and urbanization. He focuses on animal population connectivity, habitat restoration, and conservation strategies across spatial-temporal scales. Landscape ecology and conservation biology Population genetics and metapopulation dynamics Climate change impact on amphibians and reptiles Recent publications highlight advancements in landscape resistance modeling, hybridization effects on conservation, and climate-agroecosystem interactions. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary methods including biophysical models and camera trap technology for biodiversity monitoring. Current students in his lab include Grant Ravary, Olivia Ruppert, Marissa Roseman, Aidan McCarthy, Jess Dong, Ryan Wagner, and Allison Williams. He has developed specialized software (ResistanceGA) and teaches courses like ENR 5370: Management of Wildlife Habitat .

Max C. N. CastoraniView profile

Associate Professor

• Marine Ecology
• Population Ecology
• Community Ecology
• +5 more

Max C. N. Castorani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia . As a marine ecologist, he focuses on population and community ecology in coastal ecosystems such as kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and oyster reefs. His research combines long-term observations, experiments, and models to address biodiversity patterns and inform coastal conservation. Ph.D., University of California, Davis and San Diego State University, 2014 Research Interests : The lab investigates ecological dynamics across multiple spatial scales, including disturbance ecology, nutrient cycling, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem recovery. Key habitats studied are kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and oyster reefs, with interdisciplinary collaborations in biogeochemistry, oceanography, and mathematical modeling. Publication Trends : Recent work emphasizes disturbance regimes in coastal ecosystems, meta-analysis of restoration success, and spatial synchrony mechanisms. Studies often integrate climate change impacts, invasive species interactions, and ecological modeling. Teaching : He teaches courses in Fundamentals of Ecology , Coastal and Estuarine Ecology , Spatial Ecology , and Messy Data: Statistical Methods in Ecology . Research Group : The lab operates in the Department of Environmental Sciences, conducting interdisciplinary research that connects ecological theory with conservation applications.

Frederic BeaudryView profile

Professor

• Bird ecology & conservation
• Turtle ecology & conservation
• Habitat & population ecology
• +2 more

Frederic Beaudry is a Professor of Environmental Studies and Ombuds at Alfred University, located within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He holds a BS in Biology (Wildlife Management) from Université du Québec à Rimouski (2000), an MS in Natural Resources (Wildlife) from Humboldt State University (2003), a PhD in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine (2007), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2007-2010). His research focuses on bird and turtle ecology & conservation, habitat/population dynamics, landscape ecology, and land use planning. He has published extensively on topics such as road ecology impacts on reptiles, agricultural land abandonment perceptions, and multispecies conservation prioritization. His work often integrates ecological modeling with socioeconomic factors to inform conservation policy. Teaching responsibilities include Environmental Studies I, Conservation Biology, Ornithology, Herpetology, and courses related to environmental data analysis and research methods. He advises student research projects through Env. Research Procedures and Env. Data Analysis coursework. Recent research emphasizes spatial conservation planning for forest birds, mitigation strategies for wildlife-vehicle collisions, and policy-driven land use projections. His interdisciplinary approach bridges ecological science with human dimensions of conservation challenges.

Guillermo HerreraView profile

Professor

• Environmental Economics
• Natural Resource Management
• Fisheries Management
• +3 more

Guillermo Herrera is a Professor of Economics at Bowdoin College, affiliated with the Economics Department. His academic journey includes an A.B. in Biology (Harvard College), M.S. in Quantitative Ecology & Resource Management, and M.A./Ph.D. in Economics (University of Washington). He focuses on the intersection of natural systems and human communities, particularly fisheries management, environmental economics, and bioeconomic modeling. His research addresses challenges in fisheries governance, spatial resource management, and policy impacts. Professor Herrera collaborates with institutions like the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), where he is an Adjunct Scientist. He teaches microeconomics and environmental economics courses, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. His work has been supported by NSF, NOAA, and USAID, focusing on sustainable resource use and socioecological systems. His articles explore spatial dynamics in fisheries, regulatory frameworks, and ecosystem externalities. Key themes include marine reserve economics, optimal harvest strategies, and policy design under uncertainty. While no explicit awards are noted, his research has been published in high-impact journals like PNAS and the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. Herrera advises the Bowdoin Cycling Club and has mentored numerous students in environmental and policy research. He collaborates across disciplines to address Maine’s river restoration policies and global fisheries governance, emphasizing knowledge-to-action outcomes.

• Conservation Biology
• Wildlife Genetics
• Population Genetics
• +10 more

Lisette P Waits serves as University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences within the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho. She holds additional affiliations as Affiliate Faculty at the Center for Research on Invasive Species, Member of the Initiative for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, and Participating Faculty at the Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation through the Office of Research and Economic Development. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Genetics, University of Utah (1996) BS in Genetics, University of Georgia (1991) Dr. Waits' research program integrates conservation biology with advanced genomic methodologies to address critical wildlife management challenges. Her primary focus areas include endangered species recovery, population genetics, non-invasive genetic monitoring, and landscape-scale connectivity assessments. She employs molecular ecology and evolutionary biology frameworks to investigate genetic diversity loss, hybridization dynamics, and adaptive responses to environmental change across fragmented habitats. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant themes in genomic conservation: development of spatial close-kin mark-recapture models for terrestrial species, comparative SNP/microsatellite analyses for carnivore population structure, and DNA metabarcoding applications for predator diet assessment. Her work consistently demonstrates how genetic connectivity mitigates diversity loss in threatened populations like Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits and grizzly bears, while quantifying harvest impacts on social carnivores including wolves and wolverines. Through university-affiliated institutes, Dr. Waits contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives applying bioinformatics and computational modeling to conservation genomics. Her collaborations enhance genomic data interpretation for wildlife management decisions, particularly regarding climate adaptation strategies and metapopulation recovery planning for species with complex social structures.

Otso OvaskainenView profile

Professor

• Ecological Modeling
• Metapopulation Biology
• Movement Ecology
• +4 more

Professor Otso Ovaskainen holds a permanent position at the University of Helsinki , where he serves as Research Director in the Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Program. He is also a Visiting Professor at a Norwegian Centre of Excellence since 2014. Supervisor in the Doctoral Programme in Wildlife Biology Established the Research Center for Ecological Change (REC) with 60+ members ERC Starting Grant recipient (2008-2013) Research Interests: Ovaskainen bridges mathematical theory with empirical ecology, focusing on metapopulation dynamics, movement ecology, and statistical community ecology. His work integrates: Ecological theory with data Individual-based modeling Fungal community dynamics Probabilistic taxonomic placement Environmental DNA analysis Multi-species movement modeling Scientific Leadership: He has led major projects including the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Metapopulation Research (2015-2017) and the LIFEPLAN biodiversity inventory project (2020-2026). His HMSC modeling framework remains a benchmark in joint species distribution modeling.

• Wildlife Management
• Population Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• +3 more

Mikkel Andreas Jørnsøn Kvasnes serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Inland Norway's Blæstad campus, within the Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology. His position bridges agricultural science and wildlife ecology, contributing to the university's mission of sustainable biological resource management. His research centers on wildlife population dynamics, with particular expertise in willow ptarmigan and other tetraonid species. He investigates how climate gradients, predator interactions, and human activities shape population viability and habitat requirements. His work integrates spatial ecology, conservation biology, and sustainable management practices to address pressing challenges in Scandinavian ecosystems. Analysis of his publications (2010-2020) reveals consistent focus on willow ptarmigan ecology across multiple dimensions: population responses to climate variability, habitat suitability modeling, hunting impacts, and spatial distribution patterns. His research combines field studies with advanced spatial analysis to inform conservation strategies for vulnerable bird species in changing environments. The Department of Agricultural Sciences at Blæstad, where Kvasnes is based, conducts research on sustainable agricultural solutions including soil management, animal husbandry, and plant cultivation. The department emphasizes hands-on training and cross-functional collaboration within the Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, which houses over 100 employees across multiple research groups focused on sustainable biological resource management.

Paul HohenloheView profile

Professor

• Genomic Architecture
• Evolutionary Biology
• Conservation Genomics
• +3 more

Paul Hohenlohe is a Professor and Director of the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Program at the University of Idaho's Department of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on genomic architecture of evolving populations, integrating conservation genomics and evolutionary processes with applications to cancer biology and wildlife conservation. He holds a B.A. in Biology from Williams College, conducted graduate work at the University of Washington, and completed postdoctoral training at Oregon State University and the University of Oregon. His work addresses fundamental questions in evolutionary biology while applying genomic tools to conservation challenges. Key projects include studying Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease, genomic adaptation in redband trout, and genetic diversity in threatened species. He collaborates widely, contributing to interdisciplinary research in population genomics and computational methods. Recent publications highlight advancements in metapopulation dynamics, transmissible cancer evolution, and genomic approaches to conservation. His lab is part of the College of Science, emphasizing data-driven solutions to ecological and evolutionary problems.

• Peatland Ecology
• Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystems
• Nitrogen Deposition and Eutrophication
• +2 more

Simon Caporn is a Professor in Ecology and Environmental Science at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he leads research on peatland and heathland ecosystem responses to anthropogenic pressures including nitrogen deposition and climate change. His work integrates long-term field experiments with policy-relevant applications for habitat restoration and carbon management. His academic background includes: BSc in Biology, University of York PhD in Plant Physiology, University of Sussex Caporn's research program focuses on nitrogen pollution impacts, peatland carbon dynamics, and restoration ecology. He has maintained a nitrogen manipulation experiment on Welsh heather moorland for over 20 years under DEFRA's acidification research programme and led NERC-funded climate change experiments examining warming and water table effects on raised bogs. Current collaborations with Moors for the Future prioritize Sphagnum reintroduction in Southern Pennine blanket bogs, addressing both biodiversity recovery and carbon sequestration potential. His methodology combines manipulative field studies with metabolic fingerprinting and stable isotope analysis to develop bioindicators of ecosystem stress. Analysis of his recent publications reveals evolving research trajectories: early work established nitrogen deposition thresholds for semi-natural habitats, while current studies integrate restoration engineering (e.g., micropropagated Sphagnum), climate adaptation strategies, and novel applications like carbon credit schemes. Technological advancements feature prominently, including smartphone-based GNSS for field surveys and high-resolution wetness mapping for restoration planning. The consistent thread remains understanding how peatland ecosystems regulate carbon storage under environmental change. Caporn directs significant externally funded research initiatives: DEFRA Terrestrial Umbrella Programme (long-term nitrogen deposition impacts) NERC climate manipulation experiment on Welsh ombrotrophic peatlands CARE-PEAT partnership (EU-funded carbon loss reduction from peatlands) Moors for the Future blanket bog restoration monitoring His field research teams operate across UK peatlands using permanent experimental plots, remote sensing validation, and interdisciplinary approaches linking plant physiology with landscape-scale carbon cycling. Current efforts emphasize translating ecological findings into practical restoration metrics and policy frameworks for peatland conservation.

Amy VeprauskasView profile

Associate Professor

• Mathematical Biology
• Population Dynamics
• Evolutionary Dynamics
• +5 more

Amy Veprauskas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her research focuses on mathematical models of population and evolutionary dynamics, employing dynamical systems theory to analyze stability and bifurcation phenomena in structured populations. Applications include studying whale population resilience post-oil spills and reproductive synchrony in cannibalistic gull populations. She holds a Ph.D. (2016) and M.S. (2013) from the University of Arizona, alongside M.A. and B.A. degrees (2010) from Bryn Mawr College. Veprauskas’s work bridges theoretical mathematics and ecological challenges, with recent studies addressing tick invasion dynamics, predator-prey interactions under seasonal breeding, and critical thresholds for population persistence under disturbances. Her methodologies emphasize structured population models that account for factors like age, life stage, or body size, enabling analysis of environmental and evolutionary impacts. Key research trends in her publications include discrete-time models analyzing metapopulation growth, Allee effects, and spatially explicit stream network dynamics. Collaborations with ecologists and field data integration (e.g., acoustic monitoring of marine mammals) underscore her applied approach. Her contributions span theoretical insights (e.g., bifurcation analysis) and practical applications in conservation and public health.

Leticia AvilésView profile

Professor

• Evolution of Sociality
• Multilevel Selection
• Metapopulation Dynamics
• +3 more

Dr. Leticia Avilés is Professor of Zoology at the University of British Columbia, investigating the evolutionary forces driving social organization and their population-level consequences. Her research employs multilevel selection theory to examine social evolution, metapopulation dynamics, and cooperative systems, with emphasis on spider sociality as model systems. Key research areas: Origins and maintenance of cooperation in social spiders Evolution of skewed sex ratios in subdivided populations Metapopulation ecology and life history evolution Antipredator strategies and extended phenotypes Mutualistic interactions across environmental gradients Her work integrates field experiments across elevational gradients in the Andes, theoretical modeling, and genomic approaches to study convergent social evolution. Recent publications explore kleptoparasite impacts on spider colonies, energetics of group living, neural investment patterns, and mutualism mediation mechanisms. Experimental manipulations test how environmental factors like precipitation and predation shape social evolution.