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Elephant Behavior, Ecology and Population DynamicsBehavioral and demographic studies based on individual-based monitoring of elephant populations through direct and indirect observations.
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Conservation InterventionsSocial-ecological research to understand how to facilitate land-sharing with elephants and other large wildlife to improve landscape connectivity, biodiversity and ecosystem health.
This work is conducted in collaboration with partners through the HECTAAR working group (Human-Elephant Coexistence Through Alternative Agricultural Research). |
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Habitat Assessment and ConnectivityUsing GIS, remote sensing, and other spatially-grounded methodologies to understand land-use and land-cover (LULCC) trends in the past, present and future and their relationship to human-wildlife interactions.
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Are you a skilled undergraduate student considering a future career in conservation? A prospective PhD student interested in graduate-level research on wildlife and social-ecological systems? Someone looking for postdoctoral opportunities?
Read the compact below first! |
Lab Compact
What is a compact?
It is a document that sets out the expectations of group members as a common point of reference to ensure transparent, healthy group dynamics and culture. All incoming group members are expected to read, acknowledge and abide by these shared expectations.
What’s our philosophy?
“Think clearly, feel deeply, act wisely.”
All three of these components are equally important, each insufficient without the others.
Why are we here?
We are here because we love nature, respect our fellow humans and other creatures, and hope that with our work we can make our beautiful home planet just a bit better.
Acknowledgements
The process of science and scholarship is often difficult, but hopefully it is also sometimes rewarding.
Failure is not to be feared but learned from.
We would not be here today without those who have come before us, on whose legacies we build and on whose lands we live and work, wherever we are.
My Commitments Are To:
It is a document that sets out the expectations of group members as a common point of reference to ensure transparent, healthy group dynamics and culture. All incoming group members are expected to read, acknowledge and abide by these shared expectations.
What’s our philosophy?
“Think clearly, feel deeply, act wisely.”
All three of these components are equally important, each insufficient without the others.
Why are we here?
We are here because we love nature, respect our fellow humans and other creatures, and hope that with our work we can make our beautiful home planet just a bit better.
Acknowledgements
The process of science and scholarship is often difficult, but hopefully it is also sometimes rewarding.
Failure is not to be feared but learned from.
We would not be here today without those who have come before us, on whose legacies we build and on whose lands we live and work, wherever we are.
My Commitments Are To:
- Support, guide and offer advice that is in your interest to the best of my experience and ability.
- Train you to gain the skills you need as a scientist.
- Provide access to funding, research infrastructure, collaborator networks, data and other tools required to do your work.
- Maintain clear and transparent communication about what is required or expected.
- Advocate and offer opportunities for self-improvement.
- Model and facilitate a healthy work/life culture.
- Invest time in each individual that balances the need for mentorship against other responsibilities.
- Ensure the group reflects values upholding justice, equity, diversity and inclusivity.
- Help you meet your academic milestones.
- Help you develop a career/individual development plan.
- Treating group members, colleagues and students with open-mindedness and respect.
- Setting out and meeting academic milestones in a timely manner.
- Taking responsibility for your own work (including mistakes), advocating for yourself and others in keeping with values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusivity.
- Tackling challenges with grit and viewing them as learning opportunities.
- Investing in developing yourselves as people as well as professionals.
- Conducting yourselves with the highest degree of personal integrity.
- Conducting your work with diligence, care and honesty.
- Helping and supporting one another to the best of your ability.
- Being respectful of other peoples’ time, energy, data, property and other resources.
- Communicating your needs, understanding your own and others’ constraints, working constructively together to achieve goals.
- Avoiding conflicts of interest to the extent that they can be anticipated.
- Contributing to a positive, energetic, healthy group culture and atmosphere.
- Keep us updated on your progress and career path, wherever you may go!
Research Opportunities |
** We are NOT recruiting students for the Fall 2024 cycle (2025 incoming cohort) **
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Quick Links |
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Graduate students will be considered through the Biology PhD program at UC San Diego, in the Ecology Behavior and Evolution Program.
Prospective students should have relevant real-world experience as well as a high level of language and technical analytical competence. Individuals with experience in R, GIS and other research software are preferred, in addition to a demonstrable match between research interests and those of the lab. Last but not least, we will consider whether the degree and training are appropriate for your career goals. Please go through the Faculty Profile and Publications to see if your interests are a good match. Prospective students should email Shermin de Silva with a brief statement of interest and their CV. |
Undergraduate Volunteer Opportunities |
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Recruiting help to assist with literature reviews and reviewing trail cam photos! Undergraduate students have the opportunity to join the lab twice per year, once in Fall and once in Spring. Interested students should FIRST fill out this interest form and then email Dr. de Silva.
