Welcome to my website! Here's a little about me:

Why are species found where they are? Human actions must now be considered when answering this classic question in ecology. In my research, I seek to understand what traits (natural history, behavior) and abiotic factors (acoustic space) influence why some species are more tolerant to disturbance than others. I mainly do so in forest-agricultural systems throughout Ecuador. I am proud to be a Senior Researcher at Third Millennium Alliance/Jama-Coaque Reserve, which works to protect one of the most endangered rainforests in the world (the Ecuadorian Pacific Forest) through preservation and community regenerative agroforestry. I have also done fieldwork in Madagascar, the Philippines, Australia, Borneo, Honduras, Peru, Costa Rica, & Kenya.

I absolutely love to teach, both in the classroom and in the field! I have experience developing and teaching my own full-semester and study abroad courses. No matter where I'm working, I strive to inspire those around me to enjoy and protect the natural world, especially through community outreach and mentorship. I also do my best to share ecological knowledge with policy makers (I was once an environmental policy analyst myself).

I am a Program Officer at Amphibian Ark, a conservation NGO that helps threatened amphibians via facilitation of Conservation Needs Assessments (a step that occurs during or post IUCN Red Listing to identify conservation actions for a species) and temporary ex situ measures as necessary.

I also do consulting work for individuals and institutions. I specialize in ecological fieldwork and writing/editing.
Education:
PhD in Conservation Ecology | University of California, Berkeley
MSc in Animal Behavior | Cornell University
MPA in Environmental Policy | Columbia University
BA in English Literature, magna cum laude | Cornell University
Selected Fellowships & Grants:
AAUW Dissertation Fellowship | 2021
National Geographic Explorer Grant | 2019
National Science Foundation GRFP | 2014-2019
USAID Global Development Fellowship | 2017

I'm honored to have been recently featured in the Berkeley Science Review! Read the article here.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or opportunities for collaboration!
My email is: beccabrunner[at]berkeley[dot]edu