Alyson East, Ph.D, Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Advisor: Sydne Record – Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology
Start Date: Fall 2024
M.S. 2022, Landscape Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
B.S. 2019, Ecosystems Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME
alyson.east@maine.edu, 207.581.2939

Brief Biography: I’m a landscape ecologist currently pursuing a PhD in quantitative ecology in my home state of Maine. My research merges remote sensing and ecological theory, focusing on biodiversity and disturbance ecology. This move follows several years of travel and study in Montana. Outside work, I enjoy hiking, paddling, and exploring with my partner and dog.

Current Research: My doctoral research explores the relationship between forest size-abundance scaling and biodiversity’s role in ecosystem stability. By integrating remote sensing techniques with ecological theory, I will analyze northeastern forests and NEON data to understand how forest structure and species diversity interact to enhance ecosystem resilience in the face of disturbances.