Erin E. Conlisk, PhD
Associate Scientist

OVERVIEW

Dr. Conlisk has expertise in ecology, statistics, atmospheric chemistry, climate change and energy resources. She has hands-on experience with ecological field work, air sampling, data analysis, ecological and atmospheric modeling, technical writing, teaching and giving presentations for general audiences. Contact Dr.Conlisk.

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. 2007, Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley, with Professor John Harte. Dissertation: A Class of Spatial Models with Applications to Abundance Prediction.
  • M.S. 2003, Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley, with Professor Dennis Baldocchi. Thesis: Dry Deposition of Nitric Acid in Blodgett Forest.
  • M.S. 2002, Chemistry,University of California, Berkeley, Examination.
  • B.S. 2000, Dual major in Chemistry and Biology, Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, Claremont McKenna College. Honors thesis: Preferences of the Ribeiroia Parasite for Frog or Toad Tadpoles and for Goldfish. Study abroad in Ecaudor and Australia. Moderate fluency in Spanish.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Environmental Pollution and Toxicology. How do we describe the fate and transport of anthropogenic pollutants? How do pesticides affect human health and ecosystem functioning?
  • Statistical modeling. Given limited information, how can we best derive probabilistic models for assessing anthropogenic pollutant effects? What guidance is provided by the existing statistical literature?
  • Spatial patterns and maintenance of biodiversity. How can we best model species abundance, dispersal, and spatial pattern at multiple spatial scales? How will these patterns change due to natural variability, human activity, and a changing climate?
  • Multi-disciplinary approach to conservation. How do we meet ecosystem needs while maintaining economic, political, and social cohesion? How can stakeholders, scientists and politicians work toward shared goals?
  • Energy use and climate change mitigation. How can we modify individual and societal actions to minimize fossil fuel consumption? What types of energy have the least damaging impacts on the environment?

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Associate Scientist, Pesticide Research Institute, November 2007-present.
  • Climate bio-envelope researcher at the California Academy of Sciences with Freedom to Roam, November 2007-present.
  • Graduate student researcher in UC Berkeley's Energy and Resources Group, 2004-2007.
  • Journal Referee: Global Ecology and Biogeography and Environmental and Ecological Statistics, 2007-present.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

  • Ecological Society of America
  • Society for Conservation Biology

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • 2005: Graduate Student Instructor in quantitative aspects of global environmental probem solving at the UC, Berkeley. Taught weekly discussion sections.
  • 2003: Graduate Student Instructor in biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Taught weekly discussion sections and labs.
  • 2000-2002: Graduate Student Instructor in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. Taught weekly discussion sections and labs.
  • 1999-2000: Weekly guest science teacher at local elementary school.

PUBLICATIONS

  1. J. Harte, T. Zillio, E. Conlisk, A. Smith. Maximum entropy and the state variable approach to macroecology. Ecology. In Press.
  2. E. Conlisk, J. Conlisk, J. Harte. Improved abundance prediction from presence-absence data. Under revision for Global Ecology and Biogeography.
  3. E. Conlisk 2007. A Class of Spatial Models with Applications to Abundance Prediction. UC Berkeley Doctoral Thesis. Advisor: John Harte.
  4. E. Conlisk, M. Bloxham, J. Conlisk, B. Enquist, J. Harte. 2007. A new class of models of spatial distribution. Ecological Monographs 77: 269-286.
  5. E. Conlisk, J. Conlisk, J. Harte. 2007. The impossibility of measuring a negative binomial clustering parameter from presence-absence data. American Naturalist 70: 651-654.
  6. J. Harte, E. Conlisk, J. Green, A. Ostling, A. Smith. 2005. A theory of spatial structure in ecological communities at multiple spatial scales. Ecological Monographs 75: 179-197.
This page last modified on March 7, 2008 2:27 PM
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