People

Jennifer Williams, Associate Professor, 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.

Scott Nordstrom (Postdoctoral Associate)

I am interested in population ecology, demography, and evolution, mostly working with flowering plants. My work uses theoretical modeling (using both analytical and simulation approaches), observational studies in the field, and analysis of large-scale datasets. My interests include population dynamics, life history theory, phenology, pollination biology, rapid adaptation, forest-meadow dynamics, and remote sensing. In the lab, I'm currently working on incorporating phenology into models of population dynamics. You can read more about my research interests and publications on my website.

Teagan Machlachlan (undergraduate student)

Ryan Ng (undergraduate student)

I am interested in the application of geospatial and remote sensing technologies in the field of conservation and environmental management. Currently, I am working on a project that investigates how plant distributions might be impacted by climate change, with a focus on the West Moberly First Nations community in northern British Columbia. By employing both statistical models and climate projections, we hope to better understand the relationship between climate and occurrence, and be able to project these findings for specific geographic areas.

Lab alumni

Bellie Zhu (UBC International Work Learn Award & undergraduate assistant, 2022 - 2023)

Undergraduate student: Assisted with Arabidopisis experimental expansions. Investigated the effects of simulated herbivory on the fitness of the native annual plant, Plectritis congesta
Currently: 4th year Environmental Science student at UBC

Erin McHugh, URSA & undergraduate assistant (2021 - 2023)

Undergraduate Thesis: Effects of competition on range expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana
Currently: PhD student, UToronto

Ria Raut, NSERC USRA (2022)

Undergraduate student: investigated species interaction and resilience in the face of climate change.
Currently: 4th year Biology student at UBC

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: Outreach coordinator, Invasive Species Council of British Columbia

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