Postdoctoral researcher
About myself
I am originally from Canada, where I completed a BSc in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of British Colombia (UBC). After my undergraduate degree, I worked directly with protected area managers in Costa Rica, the Wildlife Conservation Society in Cambodia, and the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone. I completed an MSc in Behaviour Evolution and Conservation at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) in Switzerland. My thesis focused on
conservation prioritisation using decision support tools, GIS, and species distribution modelling. After my MSc, I joined the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) where I managed large global databases and designed and delivered training in Myanmar and West Africa. These roles aligned with my research interests, focusing on building data and GIS capacity, as well as monitoring and managing protected areas for improved conservation outcomes.
About my research
My research focuses on understanding how political and socioeconomic factors influence biodiversity conservation, particularly in relation to protected areas and global biodiversity targets. I explore how human pressures and geopolitical shifts affect progress toward
international biodiversity goals, including those outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. I use spatial data analysis and counterfactual-based impact evaluation methods to evaluate how effectively protected areas reduce human pressures and
safeguard biodiversity. My work highlights that while expanding protected area coverage is important, improving their management and resilience to political and economic instability is crucial for long-term conservation success.
Research interests
- Conservation biology
- Protected areas
- Management effectiveness
- Impact evaluation
- Policy
globalmammal.org 
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