CHRISTIAN BROWN
140 E Green St, Athens GA 30602 | christian.brown1@uga.edu
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, Ecology, University of Georgia
Athens, GA, Expected May 2027
Master of Science, Biology, James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA, May 2022
Bachelor of Science, Biology, Appalachian State University
Boone, NC, May 2020
Concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science
Minor in Sustainable Development
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Brown C.H., Griscom H.P. 2023. Assessing red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) restoration potential under current and future predicted climate change in Virginia. Restoration Ecology. http://doi.org/10.1111/rec.14034.
Brown C.H., Griscom H.P. 2022. Differentiating between distribution and suitable habitat in ecological niche models: A red spruce (Picea rubens) case study. Ecological Modelling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110102
TEACHING
Instructor, Ecology Lab, University of Georgia
Builds on lecture themes of population structure and dynamics, community organization and classification, and ecosystem nutrient and energy flows (24 students/section)
4 sections, 96 students, Spring 2024
Instructor, Environmental Issues Lab, University of Georgia
Instruction on investigating and exploring anthropogenic impacts on the environment with a focus on quantifying environmental impacts (24 students/section)
4 sections, 96 students, Fall 2022 – Spring 2023
Guest Lecturer, Controversies in Ecology, University of Georgia
Lead discussion of several peer-reviewed journal articles on the merits and drawbacks of assisted migration as a conservation strategy (19 students/section)
1 section, 19 students, Fall 2022
Adjunct Instructor, Foundations of Biology I Laboratory, James Madison University
Instruction of basic lab and field techniques in biology through in-person, hybrid, and fully online formats; techniques included pipetting, PCR, gel electrophoresis, transects, and organism counts (24 students/section)
1 section, 24 students, Spring 2022
Instructor, Foundations of Biology I Laboratory, James Madison University
Instruction of basic lab and field techniques in biology through in-person, hybrid, and fully online formats; techniques included pipetting, PCR, gel electrophoresis, transects, and organism counts (24 students/section)
5 sections, 96 students, Fall 2020 – Spring 2022
Guest Lecturer, Plant Physiology, James Madison University
Instruction on the topic of water uptake by plant roots including basic soil characteristics, root anatomy, and the physics of water movement outside of and within the root (19 students/section)
1 section, 19 students, Spring 2022
Guest Lecturer, Conservation Biology, James Madison University
Instruction on the topic of mountain biogeography, specifically how mountains act as bridges, barriers, cradles, and reservoirs for biodiversity; small groups were each assigned one of the four topics to create an example for and discuss with the rest of the class (17 students/section)
1 section, 17 students, Fall 2021
AWARDS
ARCS Scholar, The Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Scholarship Award is awarded to Ph.D. students that excel in their field and in science communication
Fall 2024 - Spring 2027
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Marie Mellinger Field Botany Research Award, awarded by the Georgia Botanical Society to support field-oriented research in the state of Georgia (1 award, total = $800)
Summer 2024
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Horseshoe Bend Award, awarded to support research at the Horseshoe Bend Experimental Site (1 award, total = $500)
Spring 2024
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Golley Memorial Scholarship, awarded for demonstrated leadership skills (1 award, total = $1,000)
Spring 2024
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Odum School of Ecology Large Grant, awarded to support research related purchases and expenses (1 award, total = $3,277)
Spring 2023
Office of Research and Scholarship Graduate Travel Award, provided by James Madison University for travel to present at the Association of Southeastern Biologists conference (1 award, total = $500)
Spring 2022
Norlyn L. Bodkin Scholarship, awarded to support and encourage the study of botanical science and botanical field studies at James Madison University (1 award, $2,000)
Spring 2021
Office of Student Research Grant, provided to purchase supplies for undergraduate research at Appalachian State University (4 awards, total = $1,068)
Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019
Office of Student Research Travel Grant, provided for travel to present at Association of Southeastern Biologists conference (2 awards, total = $450)
Spring 2019, Spring 2020
PRESENTATIONS
Oral Presentation "Life on the edge: Differential community dynamics at opposing latitudinal edges may explain species distribution limits", 2024 Odum School of Ecology Graduate Student Symposium, February 9, 2024
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Oral Presentation, "Scaling metapopulation dynamics to the species range level", Odum School of Ecology Theory Lunch, October 26, 2023
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Poster Presentation “The purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) as an indicator for climate change-based range shifts in the genus Sarracenia”, Georgia Climate Conference, May 15, 2023
Poster Presentation “Responses of invertebrate herbivory on temperate tree species to soil warming in the Georgia piedmont”, Georgia Climate Conference, May 15, 2023
Oral Presentation “Using latitude-based presence partitioning to test range limit theory”, University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology Graduate Student Symposium, January 27, 2023
Oral Presentation “Modeling species distribution versus habitat suitability: A case study on red spruce”, JMU Showcase of Graduate Student Research and Creative Activities, April 21, 2022
Oral Presentation “Assessing red spruce restoration potential under current and future predicted climate change in Virginia”, Association of Southeastern Biologists, April 1, 2022
Oral Presentation “Modeling red spruce restoration potential under current and future predicted climate change”, JMU Three-Minute Thesis Competition, January 21, 2022
Poster Presentation (Cancelled), “Modeling population dynamics and management of an invasive Japanese Barberry population in the Southern Appalachian Mountains,” Association of Southeastern Biologists, March 26, 2020
Poster Presentation, “Quantifying floral rewards offered by native wildflowers of the Southern Appalachian Mountains,” Association of Southeastern Biologists, April 4, 2019
ACADEMIC SOCIETIES/GROUPS
Association of Southeastern Biologists, member (2019 – present)
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Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, (2023 - present)
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Mapping Working Group, Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia (2023 – present)
SERVICE/LEADERSHIP
Graduate Student Organization Chair, University of Georgia, 2024 - 2025
Coordinate, organize, and lead the Graduate Student Organization at the Odum School of Ecology
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Graduate Student Symposium Representative, University of Georgia, Summer 2023 – Spring 2024
Organize and coordinate all activities and volunteers necessary to facilitate an Annual Ecology Graduate Student Symposium (hereafter “GSS”). The Symposium representative communicates the status of GSS preparatory activities during meetings and must clearly describe the requisite actions of GSO members and volunteers during the GSS.
Odum School of Ecology Graduate Student Retention Retreat Coordinator, University of Georgia, Spring 2023
Organized a camping retreat for Odum School graduate students to the Smoky Mountains National Park
Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) Symposium Moderator, University of Georgia, Spring 2023
Moderated the ecology sections of the CURO symposium
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Committee Member, University of Georgia, Spring 2023
Provide instruction, feedback, and expertise on a weekly basis to aid in the completion of an Odum School of Ecology undergraduate’s honors thesis
Graduate Student Symposium Undergraduate Poster Committee, University of Georgia, Fall 2022 – Spring 2023
Coordinate with other graduate students to organize undergraduate poster presentation submissions, workshops, and presentations for the Odum School of Ecology’s annual Graduate Student Symposium
Mentor, University of Georgia Mentor Program, 2022-present
Provide mentorship to undergraduate students to help them succeed in their personal, academic and professional endeavors
Volunteer, Appalachian State University greenhouse, 2019-2020
Propagated greenhouse specimens, general greenhouse maintenance, and worked plant sales