Meet a Data Scientist: Lauren Ponisio

Background

Dr. Ponisio, aka the Queen of Bees, earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biology from Stanford University. She earned her PhD from the Department of Environmental Science Policy and Management from the University of California, Berkeley, where she received graduate fellowships from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture and was named among the Global Food Initiative's “30 Under 30” in Food Systems. She went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at the Berkeley Institute for Data Science.

Current Role

Dr. Ponisio is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and a member of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Oregon (UO). Her lab seeks to understand the mechanisms by which species interactions maintain species diversity, particularly among pollinators, and how to harness these processes to manage and restore diversity in human-modified systems. Dr. Poiniso’s research currently focuses on bee-friendly agricultural practices and how forest fires can help maintain pollinator biodiversity. She was was recently awarded a fellowship from the Ecological Society of America for her outstanding contributions to research and outreach in her field.

In addition to her research in the biological sciences, Dr. Ponisio is actively involved in designing data science curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate level for UO’s new School of Computer and Data Sciences. Her mission is to promote human diversity in the sciences.

Outside of Work

Perhaps unsurprisingly, when Dr. Ponisio isn’t in front of a computer, she enjoys going outdoors. Some of her favorite outdoor activities include hiking, camping, sailing, and foraging for mushrooms.

How to Connect

Check out Dr. Ponisio’s profile in the CDN Member Directory to learn how to get in touch. To learn more about her research, visit her lab’s website.