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EDUCATION

 

2012-2018

University of Texas at Austin

PhD, Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior

Advisor:  Dr. Shalene Jha

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2005-2006

University of East Anglia, UK

MSc, Applied Ecology and Conservation

Advisor: Dr. Diana Bell

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1999-2003

University of Colorado at Boulder

BA, Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology

Advisor:  Dr. Andrew Martin

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT

 

2023- present     Research Ecologist, United States Forest Service

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2018-2023        Post-Doctoral Scholar, University of                                               California, Santa Cruz. Environmental DNA                                   Research, Education, and Outreach

 

 

2010-2012           Research Technician, Howard Hughes                                           Medical Institute and University of Texas at                                     Austin, USA.  

 

2008-2010            Research Technician, Institute of Zoology,                                       Zoological Society of London, UK.                                            

 

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TEACHING AND MENTORING

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2019-2023                Instructor, UCSC, Environmental DNA for                                        Science Investigation and Education (eSIE)    

                                Course:  Biodiversity in the Age of Humans

 

2019-2023                Research Mentor, UCSC, eSIE                                                        Undergraduate Internship Program                          

2012-2018               Teaching Assistant and Graduate Student                                          Mentor, Courses: Field Biology, Genetics                                        Lab, Summer Research Experience for                                             Undergraduates (REU)      

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​SELECT MANUSCRIPTS AND PUBLICATIONS

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T. Tsang, [~50 others including K.M. Ballare], L. Ponisio, and T.C. Bonebrake. (Accepted) Land-use change reduces alpha and beta diversity of bees. Global Change Biology.

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M. Ulyshen, K.M. Ballare, C.J. Fettig, J.W. Rivers, and J.B. Runyon. (2024) The quality of global forests to pollinating insects varies with stand structure, composition, and age. Current Forestry Reports. 21(34): 135. Invited Submission.

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K.M. Ballare, A. Worth, D. Ruiz-Ramos, E. Beraut, C. Fairbairn*, H. Nava*, R.K. Wayne, B. Shapiro, G. Short, and R.S. Meyer. (2024) Environmental DNA reveals invasive crayfish microbial associates and ecosystem-wide biodiversity before and after eradication. Environmental DNA (6), e445

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K.M. Ballare and S. Jha. (2020) Genetic structure across urbanizing landscapes reveals resource specialization and philopatry in the eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica. Evolutionary Applications. Invited submission to special issue: Evolution in urban environments. DOI: 10.1111/eva.13078

 

K.M. Ballare, J. Neff, R. Ruppel, and S. Jha. (2019) Multi-scalar drivers of biodiversity: Local management mediates wild bee community response to regional urbanization.  Ecological Applications. 29:e01869.

 

K.M. Ballare, N. Pope, S. Cusser, A. Castilla, R. Metz, and S. Jha.  (2019) Utilizing field collected insects for next-generation sequencing: effects of sampling, storage, and DNA extraction methods. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5756

 

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SELECT PRESENTATIONS

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K.M. Ballare, L. Burkle, J. Runyon (2024). Effects of logging on pollinator diversity, habitat, and plant-pollinator interactions in coniferous forests. Entomological Society of America, Phoenix, AZ

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K.M. Ballare, D. Ruiz, R. Henderson, E. Beraut, Y. Xiao, T. Gooderly, R. Wayne, B. Shapiro, & R. Meyer (2021). The case of the missing crayfish: Using environmental DNA for biodiversity monitoring and ecological restoration. UCSC Post-Doc STEAM Symposium, Santa Cruz, CA.

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K.M. Ballare and S. Jha (2018).  Genetic evidence for complex dispersal patterns across urban landscapes in the Eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica). Ecological Society of America, New Orleans, LA.

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K.M. Ballare, J. Neff, and S. Jha (2016).  Effects of Urban Landscapes on Native Bee Communities. International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL.  

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SELECT HONORS AND FUNDS AWARDED

2024       Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Award to improve wildlife                     habitat and provide for subsistence benefits in areas of                     young growth, $362,000 Co-PI's J. Runyon, L. Burkle

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2020       California Conservation Genomics Project Research                         Award, $120,000 Co-PI's: B. Shapiro, N. Williams, H.                   Woodard

 

2018        Jean Andrews Scientific Outreach Fellowship, $6750

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2017        University of Texas Green Fee Grant,

                Co-PI’s: S. Jha, D. Briscoe (UT School of Architecture),                      M.Bright (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center),                             $25,000.

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2017        National Science Foundation, Doctoral Dissertation                          Improvement Grant (DDIG), $20,345.

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