Andrew Stillman
Postdoctoral Fellow
Expertise
Applied ecology • Conservation • Ecological modeling
My research seeks to understand how bird populations are impacted by global change, fires, and human development. I value partnerships with government agencies and other groups that help galvanize science into action to bend the curve of bird declines.
At the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, I use citizen science data from eBird to investigate ecological questions with relevance to conservation and management. For example, the ways that birds respond to fire can vary across space and time, often leading to headaches for decisionmakers tasked with managing the biodiversity in our forests. I lead an effort to untangle the complex impacts of fires and forest management on bird populations to ultimately improve decisions for forest restoration. I also enjoy working on projects that use eBird data to directly inform conservation policy within the United States. This includes working to mitigate the impacts of wind energy on birds, providing eBird information for state agencies, and prioritizing bird conservation in the age of megafires.
A common theme in my work is a commitment to inclusive education, undergraduate mentorship, and public engagement. Close to home in Ithaca, NY, I partner with The Learning Web to provide youth career development in STEM, and I enjoy involving students of all ages in local field projects.
Education
Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut
B.Sc., Environmental Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
