Kristy Deiner

Kristy Deiner holds a PhD. in Ecology from the University of California, Davis (UCD). She also holds a degree certificate from UCD in Conservation Management. Her dissertation research focused on applying genetic tools to assess biodiversity in alpine lakes and endangered vernal pool fairy shrimp. She has a diverse background working with mammals, birds, fish and arthropods to understand species distributions and population dynamics. Her conservation management research focused on what social, biological and economic pressures predict successful adoption of strategic conservation plans through an evaluation of California’s ecosystem based Natural Community Conservation Planning. She also holds a masters and bachelors degree in Biology from Sonoma State University. Her current research is developing environmental DNA detection methods for assessing biodiversity across all three domains of life from a single water sample. This new and exciting research area will have profound implications for monitoring biodiversity in freshwater systems around the world. She is going to apply this research to understand whether eDNA cane be used to do biodiversity trend analysis at a global scale through a recently funded 5 year grant from the European Research Council (2020-2025). Kristy’s current research endeavors are allowing her to work with engaging stakeholders in the process of understanding and applying scientific knowledge for management of global biodiversity.