Dr. Briana Abrahms
USA
Wildlife Ecologist and Assistant Professor
Briana is an Assistant Professor of Natural History and Conservation at the University of Washington, where her research takes her around the globe to understand the effects of environmental change on wildlife ecology and conservation. She has conducted fieldwork in North America, South America, and Africa, on species ranging from marine mammals in the open ocean to large carnivores in the African savanna. Her work has been featured in a variety of media outlets, including The Atlantic, the Los Angeles Times, and the BBC. Beyond basic research, Briana works closely with stakeholders, managers and policy-makers to conduct user-informed science and develop innovative tools for conservation. Her work has been integrated into landscape planning for carnivore conservation in southern Africa and policies to reduce large whale mortalities along the U.S. West Coast. Briana is a graduate of University of California-Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (Ph.D.) and is a former Presidential Management Fellow with the Climate and Ecosystems Group in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Before discovering her love of ecology, Briana studied physics and carried out research on space radiation at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Langley Research Center. She is passionate about science outreach and promoting diversity within STEM fields.