Allie Byrne, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Resilience Institute Bridging Biological Training and Research (RIBBiTR)
Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
University of California, Berkeley
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About Me
My name is Allie Byrne (she/they) and I am currently a postdoctoral fellow with the NSF-funded Resilience Institute Bridging Biological Training and Research (RIBBiTR). I am a disease ecologist and conservation biologist specializing in using genetic and genomic techniques to study amphibians and the pathogenic chytrid fungus. I am passionate about conservation, mentorship, community, and frogs (not necessarily in that order).
Proud to be one of 500 queer scientists!
Teaching & Mentorship
coming Fall 2022
I am currently developing a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) focused on the genetics of amphibian disease. This immersive research course will bring students into the field and lab and will have them lead their own research projects to facilitate discovery, ownership, and belonging in science.
2018 - 2020
During my time as a mentor for the Berkeley Connect program I organized bi-weekly meetings with undergraduates to facilitate discussion, build community, and aid in personal and professional development.
See an example of a lesson I led featured in the Berkeley Connect Blog here.
2016 - 2019
I've served as a graduate student instructor for three courses at Cal:
ESPM50AC: Introduction to Culture and Natural Resource Management
ESPM100ES: Methods in Environmental Science
ESPM137: Landscape Ecology
Other activities
I also served as a mentior for the GiGS (getting into graduate school) program at Berkeley.
I've given guest lectures in ESPM98: One Health for Action: Integrating Human, Animal, and Environmental Health and ESPM112: Microbial Ecology.
I've mentored 8 undergraduates in laboratory techniques.
Professional Preparation &Education
2020 - 2021
Postdoctoral Fellow
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, D.C.
Supervisors: Dr. Brian Gratwicke, Dr. Carly Muletz Wolz, Dr. Roberto Ibáñez
2014 - 2020
Ph.D. from the Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management
University of California, Berkeley, CA
Advisor: Dr. Erica Bree Rosenblum
Affiliated Graduate Student at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
2008 - 2013
B.S. Environmental Science, Concentration: Ecology & Conservation
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
(It was at Drexel - specifically during a study abroad trip to Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea - that I first fell in love with amphibians and conservation).