Chelsea Chisholm
CHELSEA CHISHOLM
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Ph.D. Fellow, Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate
Phone: +45 31 38 74 60
Email: chelsea.chisholm@gmail.com
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Early career researcher specializing in remote arctic and alpine terrestrial environments. Currently in the final stages of a Ph.D. in alpine climate change, with field projects based in Switzerland, Norway and China. Specializations include entomology, botany, ecology, biogeography, soil sciences and environment, among others. Broad interests ranging from projects in arctic phenology, forest growth, and modeling species distributions under climate change.
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EDUCATION
Ph.D., Alpine Climate Change
Graduation: Expected February 2017
Institution: Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen
Thesis focusing on plant species interactions in light of climate change, using both experimental approaches and regional datasets to examine how neighbourhoods may influence an individual’s response to warming.
Master of Science, Arctic/Alpine Ecology
Graduation: October 2013
Institution: Department of Biology, McGill University
GPA: 4.0, Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction
Studies focused on plant species co-existence in arctic and alpine environments, including projects focused on plant phenology, geomorphology and functional community ecology of cryptogams (moss/lichens).
Bachelor of Science Honours, Biology
Graduation: May 2009
Institution: Department of Biology, McGill University
GPA: 3.84, Dean’s Honour List, awarded First Class Honours upon graduation
Major/Minor: Biology (specialty Conservation)/Geography
Honours research program in community ecology, working with lab model systems to study habitat fragmentation and species richness in soil/moss-associated microarthropod communities. Graduated with Honours and dean’s list qualifications, as well as participated in a semester abroad at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
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EMPLOYMENT IN SCIENCES/RESEARCH
Visiting Researcher, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China — 2016-2017
I conduct climate change research across forest ecosystems in China on a multi-nation collaborative project; additionally establishing a high-altitude field-based climate change experiment in Haibei, Qinghai province (NE edge of Tibetan plateau).
Visiting Researcher, Norsk Institutt for Bioøkonomi, Ås, Norway — 2014-2016
I designed a large-scale field project collecting climate change data across high-latitude forest ecosystems in Norway; I designed and ran the field-collection of data as well as conducted key statistical modeling of individual tree growth in response to climate change and the biotic neighbourhood. I also facilitated the coordination of multiple stakeholders and researchers from different nations. Our work was also featured on BBC news (see Media section).
Visiting Researcher, Institut für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung (WSL/SLF),Davos, Graubunden, Switzerland — 2014-2016
I established a high-altitude climate change experiment in the mountains near Davos, Switzerland. With this data we are testing the response of high alpine ecosystems to temperature. My work involves annual trips that entail a 4-month season living in a hard to access alpine hut.
Researcher, McGill Polar Geology Lab, Ellesmere Island — June-July 2013
I was part of a two-person expedition in the polar desert region of high Arctic Canada at latitude 80°N. Our research examined plant phenological responses to permafrost thaw and massive ground-ice melt due to climate change. We collected geomorphological data that included high-sensitivity dGPS measurements, multi-frequency ground penetrating radar measurements, biogeochemical analysis, and climatological data. I was additionally responsible for camp maintenance in difficult polar conditions involving record-breaking storms and disruptive local wildlife.
Research Assistant, Vrije Universitet, Amsterdam, The Netherlands — August 2013
Analysis of functional traits of cryptogam species with Dr. Nadia Soudviloskaia and Dr. Hans Cornellisen
Field Assistant, Abisko Research Station, Sweden — July 2013
Plant trait and biomass collection, as a joint venture between the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute Kola Science Center, Kirovsk, Murmansk Province, Russia and Vrije Universitet, The Netherlands
Field Assistant, Natural Resources Canada, Schefferville, Quebec — July 2012
Field assistant to conduct relative gravity measurements at the Schefferville, QC site in conjunction with the Canadian Gravity Standardization Network.
Scientific Diver, Cape Eleuthera Institute, Bahamas — August 2011
Diver and boat driver for research on lionfish movement in patchy coral environments.; with Dr. Natascia Tamburello and Dr. Isabelle de Cote
Research Assistant, McGill Subarctic Research Station, Schefferville, Quebec — April-July 2011
Duties included set-up of a long-term monitoring gradient for flora along a mountainous elevation gradient in nearby western Labrador, based out of McGill University's Subarctic Research Station in Schefferville, Quebec.
Ecologist, Banff Field Unit, Parks Canada — April-September 2009
Plant ecologist coordinating a biodiversity assessment of a national historic site in western Alberta. Hired under the Young Canada Works program.
Field Assistant, McGill Research Station, Barbados — May-June 2008
Bird banding and relocating using mist-nets and traps for island breeding program.
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MEDIA
Science Commentator, “Norway’s forests”, BBC Earth — 2015
Documentary short (3 min) and article entitled ‘Discover how Norway saved its vanishing forests’ on the oldest repeated forestry sampling effort in Europe, spearheaded by the Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute. Here I comment on how collaboration between forestry and ecology allows scientists the opportunities to examine past changes due to recent climate change in order to better forecast the future.
Locations Manager, “Wild Canada”, The Nature of Things, CBC — 2013
Site and hiring coordinator for southern Laurentian Mountains and St. Lawrence region of Quebec. Wild Canada is a three-part documentary narrated by David Suzuki and presented on the Nature of Things, CBC Canada.
Productions Coordinator, “TEDx Calgary”, City of Calgary — 2011
Productions and stage manager for TEDx Calgary, focused on innovative solutions for a growing city. Experience in management and promotions in print, social media and radio.
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MENTORING
2016. Josefine Møller, University of Copenhagen/Snow and Avalanche Center, Switzerland, Masters of Science (in progress)
2015. Patrick Philipsen, University of Copenhagen, Masters of Science (passed with highest grade possible)
2012-2014. Stephanie Shooner, McGill University, Independent Research Project (published as first author in Journal of Applied Ecology)
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TEACHING
2014-2016. Masters Course co-instructor, University of Copenhagen: Macroecology (2 years), Climate Change (1 year), R Coding Introductory Workshop (2 years)
2011-2013. Graduate Student Teaching Assistant for Bachelor courses, McGill University: Molecular Biology (2 years), Evolution (one year), Essential Biology (one year)
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GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2016. Chinese Academy of Science- Danish Universities Research Exchange, 2016, support equivalent to $30 000
2015. Arctic Conference Bursary to attend the Arctic Biodiversity Conference, Trondheim, Norway, November 2015, support equivalent to $1500
2014. Doctoral Fellowship, University of Copenhagen, Feb. 2014-Feb.2017, $250 000
2014-2017. CGSD for Doctoral Studies, NSERC, Jan. 2014-Jan. 2017, $105 000
2014-2017. Scholarship for Doctoral Studies, FQRNT, Jan. 2014-Jan. 2017, $63 000 (declined)
2013. Excellence Award (Graduate), Quebec Center for Biodiversity Science, $1460
2013. Arctic Research Grant (Graduate), McGill University, $3500
2013. Research Travel Award (Graduate), McGill University, $4600
2012. Excellence Award (Graduate), Quebec Center for Biodiversity Science, $1608
2012. Northern Scientific Training Program (Graduate), AANDC, $2778
2011. Phillip Carpenter Fellowship in Biology (Graduate), McGill University, $2500
2011. Graduate Excellence Fellowship (Graduate), McGill University, $4228
2011-2012. Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction (Graduate), Government of AB, $15 000
2005-2009. R.E. Powell Entrance Scholarship (Undergraduate), McGill University, $12 000
2005. Alexander Rutherford Scholarship (Undergraduate), Government of AB, $2500
2005. Scholastic Distinction and Academic Excellence Scholarship for Engineering (for admission average >95%, Undergraduate), University of Alberta, $9500 (declined)
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Manuscript Reviewer (total=9)
2016. Oecologia, PeerJ, Geoderma
2016. Journal of Ecology
2015. Journal of Ecology
2014. Ecology, Ecosystems, Global Ecology and Biogeography
2013. Ecography
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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
International Biogeographical Society (IBS), Ecological Society of America (ESA), British Ecological Society (BES), Quebec Center for Biodiversity Science (QCBS), Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS)
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LANGUAGES
French (intermediate, trained 8 years in secondary school, 6+ years experience living and working in QC)
Danish (beginner, classes 2014-2015)
Mandarin (beginner, classes 2015-2016)
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COMPLEMENTARY TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS
2014. Software Carpentry Instructor – coding instruction for bash and R, instructor at coding workshop in France, Switzerland
2012. Dry Suit Certification, Squamish, British Columbia, Canada - wreck diving with a refresher in dry suit diving
2012. Wilderness First Aid Responder, Sirius Wilderness Medicine
2010. PADI Divemaster, Dive India, Andaman Islands – 100+ dives in tropical, dry suit, deep water (also non-certified technical training in wreck diving)
2009. Rescue Diver, Alberta, Canada – high-altitude diving in alpine lakes (1700 m)
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HOBBIES
Flute/tin whistle (orchestral for 7 years, Celtic/Irish for 3 years)
Cooking (anything to get me away from danish beets)
Board gaming (particularly german-style games, with my current favourite being Terra Mystica)
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—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————--
Ph.D. Fellow, Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate
Phone: +45 31 38 74 60
Email: chelsea.chisholm@gmail.com
—————————--
Early career researcher specializing in remote arctic and alpine terrestrial environments. Currently in the final stages of a Ph.D. in alpine climate change, with field projects based in Switzerland, Norway and China. Specializations include entomology, botany, ecology, biogeography, soil sciences and environment, among others. Broad interests ranging from projects in arctic phenology, forest growth, and modeling species distributions under climate change.
—————————--
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Alpine Climate Change
Graduation: Expected February 2017
Institution: Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen
Thesis focusing on plant species interactions in light of climate change, using both experimental approaches and regional datasets to examine how neighbourhoods may influence an individual’s response to warming.
Master of Science, Arctic/Alpine Ecology
Graduation: October 2013
Institution: Department of Biology, McGill University
GPA: 4.0, Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction
Studies focused on plant species co-existence in arctic and alpine environments, including projects focused on plant phenology, geomorphology and functional community ecology of cryptogams (moss/lichens).
Bachelor of Science Honours, Biology
Graduation: May 2009
Institution: Department of Biology, McGill University
GPA: 3.84, Dean’s Honour List, awarded First Class Honours upon graduation
Major/Minor: Biology (specialty Conservation)/Geography
Honours research program in community ecology, working with lab model systems to study habitat fragmentation and species richness in soil/moss-associated microarthropod communities. Graduated with Honours and dean’s list qualifications, as well as participated in a semester abroad at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.
————————————————————————————--
EMPLOYMENT IN SCIENCES/RESEARCH
Visiting Researcher, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China — 2016-2017
I conduct climate change research across forest ecosystems in China on a multi-nation collaborative project; additionally establishing a high-altitude field-based climate change experiment in Haibei, Qinghai province (NE edge of Tibetan plateau).
Visiting Researcher, Norsk Institutt for Bioøkonomi, Ås, Norway — 2014-2016
I designed a large-scale field project collecting climate change data across high-latitude forest ecosystems in Norway; I designed and ran the field-collection of data as well as conducted key statistical modeling of individual tree growth in response to climate change and the biotic neighbourhood. I also facilitated the coordination of multiple stakeholders and researchers from different nations. Our work was also featured on BBC news (see Media section).
Visiting Researcher, Institut für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung (WSL/SLF),Davos, Graubunden, Switzerland — 2014-2016
I established a high-altitude climate change experiment in the mountains near Davos, Switzerland. With this data we are testing the response of high alpine ecosystems to temperature. My work involves annual trips that entail a 4-month season living in a hard to access alpine hut.
Researcher, McGill Polar Geology Lab, Ellesmere Island — June-July 2013
I was part of a two-person expedition in the polar desert region of high Arctic Canada at latitude 80°N. Our research examined plant phenological responses to permafrost thaw and massive ground-ice melt due to climate change. We collected geomorphological data that included high-sensitivity dGPS measurements, multi-frequency ground penetrating radar measurements, biogeochemical analysis, and climatological data. I was additionally responsible for camp maintenance in difficult polar conditions involving record-breaking storms and disruptive local wildlife.
Research Assistant, Vrije Universitet, Amsterdam, The Netherlands — August 2013
Analysis of functional traits of cryptogam species with Dr. Nadia Soudviloskaia and Dr. Hans Cornellisen
Field Assistant, Abisko Research Station, Sweden — July 2013
Plant trait and biomass collection, as a joint venture between the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute Kola Science Center, Kirovsk, Murmansk Province, Russia and Vrije Universitet, The Netherlands
Field Assistant, Natural Resources Canada, Schefferville, Quebec — July 2012
Field assistant to conduct relative gravity measurements at the Schefferville, QC site in conjunction with the Canadian Gravity Standardization Network.
Scientific Diver, Cape Eleuthera Institute, Bahamas — August 2011
Diver and boat driver for research on lionfish movement in patchy coral environments.; with Dr. Natascia Tamburello and Dr. Isabelle de Cote
Research Assistant, McGill Subarctic Research Station, Schefferville, Quebec — April-July 2011
Duties included set-up of a long-term monitoring gradient for flora along a mountainous elevation gradient in nearby western Labrador, based out of McGill University's Subarctic Research Station in Schefferville, Quebec.
Ecologist, Banff Field Unit, Parks Canada — April-September 2009
Plant ecologist coordinating a biodiversity assessment of a national historic site in western Alberta. Hired under the Young Canada Works program.
Field Assistant, McGill Research Station, Barbados — May-June 2008
Bird banding and relocating using mist-nets and traps for island breeding program.
————————————————————————————--
MEDIA
Science Commentator, “Norway’s forests”, BBC Earth — 2015
Documentary short (3 min) and article entitled ‘Discover how Norway saved its vanishing forests’ on the oldest repeated forestry sampling effort in Europe, spearheaded by the Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute. Here I comment on how collaboration between forestry and ecology allows scientists the opportunities to examine past changes due to recent climate change in order to better forecast the future.
Locations Manager, “Wild Canada”, The Nature of Things, CBC — 2013
Site and hiring coordinator for southern Laurentian Mountains and St. Lawrence region of Quebec. Wild Canada is a three-part documentary narrated by David Suzuki and presented on the Nature of Things, CBC Canada.
Productions Coordinator, “TEDx Calgary”, City of Calgary — 2011
Productions and stage manager for TEDx Calgary, focused on innovative solutions for a growing city. Experience in management and promotions in print, social media and radio.
————————————————————————————--
MENTORING
2016. Josefine Møller, University of Copenhagen/Snow and Avalanche Center, Switzerland, Masters of Science (in progress)
2015. Patrick Philipsen, University of Copenhagen, Masters of Science (passed with highest grade possible)
2012-2014. Stephanie Shooner, McGill University, Independent Research Project (published as first author in Journal of Applied Ecology)
————————————————————————————--
TEACHING
2014-2016. Masters Course co-instructor, University of Copenhagen: Macroecology (2 years), Climate Change (1 year), R Coding Introductory Workshop (2 years)
2011-2013. Graduate Student Teaching Assistant for Bachelor courses, McGill University: Molecular Biology (2 years), Evolution (one year), Essential Biology (one year)
————————————————————————————--
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2016. Chinese Academy of Science- Danish Universities Research Exchange, 2016, support equivalent to $30 000
2015. Arctic Conference Bursary to attend the Arctic Biodiversity Conference, Trondheim, Norway, November 2015, support equivalent to $1500
2014. Doctoral Fellowship, University of Copenhagen, Feb. 2014-Feb.2017, $250 000
2014-2017. CGSD for Doctoral Studies, NSERC, Jan. 2014-Jan. 2017, $105 000
2014-2017. Scholarship for Doctoral Studies, FQRNT, Jan. 2014-Jan. 2017, $63 000 (declined)
2013. Excellence Award (Graduate), Quebec Center for Biodiversity Science, $1460
2013. Arctic Research Grant (Graduate), McGill University, $3500
2013. Research Travel Award (Graduate), McGill University, $4600
2012. Excellence Award (Graduate), Quebec Center for Biodiversity Science, $1608
2012. Northern Scientific Training Program (Graduate), AANDC, $2778
2011. Phillip Carpenter Fellowship in Biology (Graduate), McGill University, $2500
2011. Graduate Excellence Fellowship (Graduate), McGill University, $4228
2011-2012. Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction (Graduate), Government of AB, $15 000
2005-2009. R.E. Powell Entrance Scholarship (Undergraduate), McGill University, $12 000
2005. Alexander Rutherford Scholarship (Undergraduate), Government of AB, $2500
2005. Scholastic Distinction and Academic Excellence Scholarship for Engineering (for admission average >95%, Undergraduate), University of Alberta, $9500 (declined)
————————————————————————————--
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Manuscript Reviewer (total=9)
2016. Oecologia, PeerJ, Geoderma
2016. Journal of Ecology
2015. Journal of Ecology
2014. Ecology, Ecosystems, Global Ecology and Biogeography
2013. Ecography
————————————————————————————--
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
International Biogeographical Society (IBS), Ecological Society of America (ESA), British Ecological Society (BES), Quebec Center for Biodiversity Science (QCBS), Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS)
————————————————————————————--
LANGUAGES
French (intermediate, trained 8 years in secondary school, 6+ years experience living and working in QC)
Danish (beginner, classes 2014-2015)
Mandarin (beginner, classes 2015-2016)
————————————————————————————--
COMPLEMENTARY TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS
2014. Software Carpentry Instructor – coding instruction for bash and R, instructor at coding workshop in France, Switzerland
2012. Dry Suit Certification, Squamish, British Columbia, Canada - wreck diving with a refresher in dry suit diving
2012. Wilderness First Aid Responder, Sirius Wilderness Medicine
2010. PADI Divemaster, Dive India, Andaman Islands – 100+ dives in tropical, dry suit, deep water (also non-certified technical training in wreck diving)
2009. Rescue Diver, Alberta, Canada – high-altitude diving in alpine lakes (1700 m)
————————————————————————————--
HOBBIES
Flute/tin whistle (orchestral for 7 years, Celtic/Irish for 3 years)
Cooking (anything to get me away from danish beets)
Board gaming (particularly german-style games, with my current favourite being Terra Mystica)
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