People

Jennifer Williams, Associate Professor, Ecological Society of America Early Career Fellow, Department of Geography & Biodiversity Research Centre

I am interested in the eco-evolutionary dynamics that shape population abundance in one location through time and that drive population distributions in space. I incorporate a demographic perspective in much of the research that I do to better understand the underlying drivers of patterns we observe using a variety of simulation and mathematical models. I continue to be fascinated by questions about invasive species, with a more recent focus on understanding variability in speed during range expansion. [Google Scholar profile]

Contact info:
By email: jennifer (dot) williams (at) geog (dot) ubc (dot) ca
By mail: Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, 217-1984 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
By phone: +1 (604) 827-1592

Jenna Loesberg (Ph.D. student)

My research looks at how plant life history strategies are shaped by climate and interactions with other species, and how to conserve native species when these factors are changed by human activities. Specifically, I look at the abiotic and biotic interactions that influence perennial plant reproductive strategies, and what changes in these interactions mean for species persistence. To do this, I’m examining the impacts of changing precipitation patterns and increased floral and seed herbivory on the reproduction costs and success of Henderson’s shooting stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii), a perennial wildflower, in Garry Oak meadows.

Carla Urquhart (Ph.D. student)

My research focuses on how rapid evolutionary processes during range expansions shape, and are shaped by, ecological dynamics. Using both experimental expansions in the greenhouse and simulation models I am investigating the role of evolution in determining how well we can predict expansion speed, as well as the influence of mating systems, Allee effects, and interspecific competition on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of range expansion.

Erin McHugh (undergraduate student)

I am a fourth year student in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC, and am interested in plant population ecology and eco-evolutionary dynamics. My work with the lab in the summer of 2021 was supported by an NSERC USRA. I'm excited to continue as a Work Learn student this year, assisting Jenn and Carla with their work on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of range expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Ria Raut (undergraduate student)

My name is Ria Raut and I’m a 3rd year Honours Plant Biology student, helping at the Williams Lab as a 2022 summer NSERC USRA recipient! I am interested in seeing how species interactions affect overall ecosystem resilience and adaptability. I’m excited to mainly be helping Jenna with her research on species interaction and resilience in the face of climate change.

Lab alumni

Emma Nikkel, M.Sc. (2022)

Thesis: Effects of climate change on the habitat suitability of 4 relatively new invasive plant species in the Pacific Northwest
Currently: Research Associate with UBC, Trinity Western and Metro Vancouver

Lauren Smith, M.Sc. (2021)

Thesis: Herbivorous insect and plant communities respond in complex ways to rainfall manipulation in an oak savanna grassland
Currently: Environmental Consultant, Portland, Oregon

Sophie Duncan, M.Sc. (2019)

Thesis: Intraspecific life history variation in the introduced range of Cynoglossum officinale
Currently: Conservation Practitioner, The Nature Conservancy, Connecticut office

Olivia Tabares Mendoza (Ph.D. Student, 2017 - 2019)

Research interests: invasion biology and range expansions

Jens Johnson, M.Sc. (2018)

Thesis: Mechanisms of coexistence between native and exotic plant species
Currently: Ph.D. student in Risa Sargent's lab, UBC Land and Food Systems

Emily West, M.Sc. (2018)

Thesis: Across intermediate spatial scales, a specialist insect herbivore responds to climate and host plant size, not host density
Currently: Consultant (Junior Biologist), Keystone Environmental Ltd., Vancouver BC

Danielle Main, NSERC USRA (2018)

Currently: M.Sc. student, Sustainable Forestry Management

Hailey Bloom, NSERC USRA (2017)

Currently: Senior Pollination Research Assistant, U. of Calgary Contact via LinkedIn

Deirdre Loughnan, M.Sc. (2016)

Thesis: "Identifying the context dependencies of plant-herbivore interactions across a species’ range"
Currently: Ph.D. student in Lizzie Wolkovich's lab, UBC Forest & Conservation Sciences

Charlotte Trowbridge, M.Sc. (2015)

Thesis: "Long-term effects of prairie restoration: community structure and native plant population dynamics 6 years after experimental management"
Currently: Conservation Education Program Manager, Tualatin Soil & Water District, Oregon