I decided to restructure this forum so that everyone's intro will be in the same conversation. [Adina, perhaps you can re-post your intro here? I'm not sure how I can move it without replacing your picture with mine!].

I'll start out with myself. I got my PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. My PhD research concerned using arthropods to measure ecosystem health (biological monitoring) and focussed specifically on measuring change in spider communities over time and how these dynamics were influenced by vegetation structure. I've done post-docs at Columbia, AMNH and the USGS (Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) and taught at the College of Wooster in Ohio. I am currently a research scientist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York where I am working on the development of automated species identification tools as a method for promoting the inclusion of invertebrates in conservation research and planning. Most of my work has been on spiders and bees.

Over the years, I have developed an interest in creating/managing/promoting habitat for invertebrate biodiversity. It was initially my interest in pollination ecology that led me to specifically consider linear habitats in agricultural landscapes. But now I have become more of a generalist...

I am also adjunct faculty at Rutgers and Columbia Universities, hence my ability to teach this course!

On a personal note, I have a 2 and 1/2 year old son named Calum.

Pleased to meet you all....