SS 14 - Ecology Across Career Sectors

Monday, August 7, 2023

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM PDT

Location: D135

Organizer(s)

PS

Pacifica Sommers

Metagenomics Data Scientist
Bayer Crop Sciences
Boulder, Colorado, United States

Speaker(s)

PS

Pacifica Sommers

Metagenomics Data Scientist
Bayer Crop Sciences
Boulder, Colorado, United States
NE

Nathan Emery

STEM Education Coordinator
UC Santa Barbara, United States
DM

Devin McMahon

US Forest Service, United States
TF

Timothy Fullman

The Wilderness Society
Anchorage, AK, United States
CR

Caitlin Rottler

South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, United States
AG

Alison R. Gerken

USDA ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, United States

Session Description: A degree in ecology can lead to a wide range of careers, but many early career ecologists are not aware of the diversity of opportunities available to them. In this session, ecologists across a range of careers and sectors will briefly present how they are using ecology in their current positions, followed by a panel discussion. Presenters will tell the story of a recent project, while making clear the organizational context of their work, such as where funding is obtained, how projects are prioritized, who their stakeholders are, and how professional success is demonstrated. Speakers include ecologists within government agencies, private industry, and non-profit organizations conducting original research, as well as those integrating ecology into business strategies, and strengthening STEM education through increasing equity and inclusion.