معرفی
Dr. Erica Garcia is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at Charles Darwin University’s Faculty of Science and Technology, specializing in aquatic ecology. She leads research on river, wetland, and groundwater ecosystems, focusing on food web dynamics and biodiversity in changing environments. Her current projects include citizen science initiatives for groundwater security and wetland condition assessments. Dr. Garcia holds a PhD from Michigan State University (2006) and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (1999). She teaches courses in ecology and resource management and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects addressing water sustainability in Northern Australia. Her research spans observational, experimental, and molecular methods to understand ecosystem processes.
Education:
- PhD in Zoology/Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior, Michigan State University (2000–2006)
- Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley (1995–1999)
Research Interests: Dr. Garcia’s work emphasizes freshwater ecosystems, including food web interactions, groundwater ecology, and the impacts of human activities on riverine systems. She employs eDNA, isotopic analysis, and remote sensing to assess ecosystem health and biodiversity. Current projects investigate groundwater resources and citizen science approaches to environmental monitoring.
Grants & Projects:
- Co-lead on the Northern Australian Community Groundwater Security Project (citizen science)
- Principal Investigator for the Adelaide River Aquatic Ecosystem Mapping project (2023–2024)
- Collaborator on the Water Security for Northern Australia Program (2023–2026)
Labs/Teams: She is affiliated with the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods at CDU and collaborates with international networks on global river ecology and climate change impacts.
