Phoebe is a biodiversity and climate change strategic planner, researcher (conservation biology and global change ecology), policy analyst and teacher. She was thrilled to join CBI in October 2018 as Chief Science and Policy Officer. Phoebe hopes to use her combined background in science research, policy, implementation, communication and collaboration to help CBI increase its impact and rigor even further. She is also an affiliate full professor at the University of Washington, Bothell and honorary research associate at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT’s) African Climate and Development Initiative since 2011 and Center of Excellence at the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology since 2005.
Phoebe has previously been a senior science-policy consultant for the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, where she worked on global connectivity policy in both the terrestrial and marine environments through support to the IUCN Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group. Before that, she was executive director of the Pacific Biodiversity Institute (2017-2018), principle and lead scientist for climate change bioadaptation and head of biodiversity futures at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (2005-2016), founding national coordinator of Namibia’s national biodiversity (1994-2003) and climate change programs (1999), board and executive committee member of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2002-05) and scientific and technological coordinator of the Global Invasive Species Program (2003-05).
A behavioral and evolutionary ecologist by background, she now works to build coalitions between academia, government, nonprofits and with citizen science groups at different scales on ecological connectivity, climate adaptation, economics for the future, and sustainability tipping points. Phoebe and her filmmaker husband John Bowey also work through film, immersive media, and prose to tell compelling and powerful stories about ecosystem health and biodiversity, among other big issues.
https://www.phoebebarnard.com/
Declan Pizzino is a Geospatial Analyst with the Conservation Biology Institute and has more than 5 years experience applying science and geospatial technology to support the conservation of natural resources. With a B.S. in Environmental Science and a certificate in Geographic Information Science from Oregon State University, Declan is excited to be part of a team that is focused on a science-based approach to improving the world. His areas of expertise and interest include geographic information systems, remote sensing, machine learning, modeling, and sustainability planning.
Declan’s love for the natural world has informed and enhanced his passion for conservation. Prior to joining CBI, he worked with the Nature Collective in San Diego, CA, on water quality monitoring and with Yamhill County Public Works in McMinnville, OR, to help develop a spatial roadside vegetation inventory. In Eugene, OR, he worked for Lane Council of Governments leveraging his GIS and interpersonal skills in the local government arena. Declan participates in a number of professional organizations and communities, including the Spatial Community Slack, AI for Conservation, Machine Learning for Remote Sensing, the Data Visualization Society, and the Society for Conservation GIS, where he serves on the Communications Committee.
Declan lives in Corvallis with his houseful of pets and plants. In his spare time, he loves to play Dungeons and Dragons, get outdoors and hike, play his mandolin, or explore local waterways in his handmade canoe.
As the Systems Administrator for Conservation Biology Institute, Robert brings 14 years of GNU/Linux, Windows and Mac administration and interoperability to CBI in a relentless quest to be a prime enabler.
His experience encompasses various forms of Systems Adminsistration and support of GNU/Linux, Mac and Windows based computing environments. This has ranged from the server side to the desktop with both custom and off the shelf software and hardware solutions.
Taylor is an Eastern Oregon native and has been interested in mathematics and computers since a young age. While at college, he studied computational geometry, topology, probability and computer graphics, as well as mathematical fundamentals of cryptography. He has since blended those interests by integrating computer graphics and the web with data visualization and environmental science, developing desktop- and web-based software to assist scientists in leveraging their data.
Annie joined the CBI team in July of 2016. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Environmental Law and Policy from Oregon State University and a graduate certificate in GIS from Penn State University. While working as an intern under environmental lawyers with the intention of becoming one herself, Annie recognized the power of data and spatial analysis in the conservation planning field and changed course to a career in geospatial sciences. She is particularly interested in the management of water resources and sustainable city planning. Prior to joining CBI, Annie worked as an assistant data manager for the National Park Service’s Sonoran Desert Network, developing databases and performing data analysis for the network’s birds, groundwater, springs, and streams protocols.
Annie is a native of Santa Barbara, CA and currently resides in Corvallis, Oregon. She spends her free time rock climbing, hiking, baking, and traveling.
Rebecca is a Senior Geospatial Scientist with 15+ years professional experience in the geospatial sciences and conservation planning. She leads a team performing advanced spatial analysis & modeling, remote sensing, and data visualization to further conservation of species, habitats, and biodiversity around the globe. Current projects focus on using geospatial technology to support agencies and organizations in data-driven approaches for environmentally-sustainable planning & decision-making.
Prior to joining CBI, Rebecca taught at the College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University, where she worked on numerous projects spanning natural resources, socio-economic, and community mapping and analysis. Rebecca earned a B.S. in Ecology & Visual Arts from Juniata College (PA) in 2003 and worked as a field biologist for several years. She completed a M.S. in GIS & Remote Sensing at Humboldt State University (CA) in 2007, mapping tropical forests in South America using remote sensing techniques.
Rebecca is involved in numerous professional organizations, including the Conservation Remote Sensing Network, Women in Geospatial, and the Society for Conservation GIS, where she’s currently on the Board and Chair of the Communications Committee.
Dr. John Gallo is a geographer, land-use planner and landscape ecologist supporting decision-makers, scientists, and stakeholders. He also develops, evaluates, and shares innovative methods for addressing challenges to conservation science and practice. Dr. Gallo blends interdisciplinary areas of expertise, including:
- Design, programming, and application of software for conservation planning, landscape assessment, and habitat connectivity modeling,
- Developing advances in spatial decision support systems,
- Facilitating community science to engage the public and fill data gaps,
- Bringing responsible AI to conservation applications,
- Climate change adaptation planning,
- Engaging partners, stakeholders, and decision-makers in all of the above.
For more information please see Dr. Gallo’s curriculum vitae linked to the right.
Ann joined the CBI team in September of 2013. She has her M.S. in Community Development and Natural Resource Management and a B.A. in Business and Communications with a minor in Spanish. Her background is in marketing, publications and education and she has extensive research, writing, editing and production experience. Prior to joining CBI she worked as a Research Associate at the Alliance for Water Efficiency in Chicago. At CBI, Ann is a member of the communications team pursuing collaborative relationships for CBI and assisting with science support and education initiatives. A native Southern Californian, she has lived in the urban jungles of Chicago, Oakland and Los Angeles and amongst the monkeys in the foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India. She now lives in Corvallis with her husband Kevin and their monkey like children Jane and Charlie.
Daniel Harvey joined CBI in November 2013. He specializes in application and database design and development, with experience spanning Microsoft and Unix-based platforms and a broad range of client- and server-side technologies. Since earning a Master’s Degree in Computer Science in 2006 with an emphasis in GIS, he has worked in many capacities including: software architecture, design, development, QA, and support. But as part of the CBI team he found what he sought since graduation: a career in employing technology to bring humanity into harmony with the ecosystems that together are the pulse of this planet.
Daniel grew up on the East Coast near a wildlife preserve. He spent much of his childhood exploring and communing with nature. Although he has worked in many fields including language, hydraulics and piano tuning, Daniel retains a passion for using science to understand complex and beautiful systems as they occur naturally without losing view of the ways in which they challenge our systems of thought. He has studied Music Theory, Change as described by the I-Ching, and pursues an ever deepening knowledge of Geology and Climatology.
Daniel currently lives in Corvallis, Oregon with his wife Saralyn and three children. He avidly studies ancient cultural literature including Celtic, East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Eastern and American Indian. He also enjoys music theory, piano tuning, running, and has recently taken on the task of learning Irish.
Sesha received his Master of Technology in Computer Science from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and Master of Science in Physics from Osmania University and is currently pursuing his MBA from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. He is an active member of Project Management Institute (PMI) Willamette Valley Chapter, Oregon. He brings over 10 years of experience in the software industry with a focus on IT web applications, quality assurance and management. His highly positive attitude and passion for learning and mastering new technologies makes him an asset for the team.
Sesha’s interests include volunteering and reading fictional and non-fictional books. His two sons study at Oregon State University and he lives with his family in Corvallis.