Jenna Braun

I am a community ecologist and data scientist studying plant-insect interactions in dryland ecosystems. My research synthesizes field experiments with computational methods including species distribution modeling, machine learning, and remote sensing to address questions in conservation and environmental management.

I have collaborated with US federal agencies on endangered species research and am committed to open science practices that enhance the accessibility and impact of ecological research. I currently serve as Handling Editor for EcoEvoRxiv.

Research Interests

• Desert community ecology & climate change
• Plant-insect interactions
• Endangered species conservation & habitat modeling
• Species distribution modeling & remote sensing
• Reproducible data analysis in R

Education

• PhD, Biology | York University | 2020–2026 (expected)
  • Thesis: Causes and consequences of desert ant community assembly
• MSc, Biology (Distinction) | York University | 2016–2018
  • Thesis: Pollinator-mediated interactions of foundation plants in the Mojave Desert
• Honours BSc, Biology & Environmental Science (Summa Cum Laude) | McMaster University | 2012–2016
  • Minor: Geographic Information Systems

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