Kathrine Behrman

Email: behrmank@gmail.com

I am a third year Ph.D student at the University of Texas in ecology and evolution. I completed my under graduate degrees in biology and mathematics at University of California Santa Barbara.

Answers to Dan's Questions:

1. What are your main interests? Feel free to include a "pie in the sky" big idea! Most of my thesis work focuses on understanding species ranges both from an evolutionary and ecological point of view. I am particularly interested in (1) how species' ranges form and (2) how species' ranges may change in time and space as organisms adapt (or fail to adapt) to new environmental conditions. I am also interested in how the scale at which environmental variables act create present spatial patterns.

2. What sorts of expertise can you bring to the group? My background as a graduate student is in ecology and evolution, I also have an undergraduate degree in Mathematics. I have currently been using lots of simulations, numerical, and statical techniques for my thesis work. I can bring a unique perspective about to tackle problems from both and evolutionary and ecological point of view.

3. What do you hope to get out of the CSSS? I would like to get a sense for techniques I am not familiar with to study complex systems, brush up on the mathematics used to study nonlinear dynamics, learn about the techniques used by economists and social scientists that have the potential to be applied to ecological and evolutionary questions, and meets lots of new scientists.

4. Do you have any possible projects in mind for the CSSS? I don't have any projects currently in mind.

In my free time I enjoy kayaking, running, hiking, yoga, and making jewelery.

I am looking forward to meeting you all in June! -Kate