Living Earth Collaborative Happenings
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Stay in the know with LEC News, Events, and Opportunities
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LEC is excited to welcome Dr. Shawn K. Thomas as our newest Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellow. Shawn is a plant evolutionary biologist whose research focuses on the evolution of flowering plants, particularly the role of genome duplication (polyploidy) in adaptation, stress tolerance, and diversification. His work centers on comparative genomics and phylogenetics within the mustard family (Brassicaceae), and he has also contributed to broader phylogenomic studies across diverse plant lineages.
In his role as a Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellow, Shawn will work across WashU, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Saint Louis Zoo, applying genomic tools to study biodiversity and inform conservation strategies in both plant and animal systems as part of a unique collaboration with the McDonnell Genome Institute.
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Pigeon density varies with environmental factors across a European and North American city |
WashU undergraduate alum, Daisy Lewis, mentored by LEC postdoctoral researcher Elizabeth Carlen, is first author on a new paper in Urban Naturalist exploring how urban environments shape pigeon populations. Comparing St. Louis and Madrid, the team found pigeon density was over 3.5 times higher in Madrid and that key environmental factors influenced population patterns differently in each city.
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Read the full article here.
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In July, the Living Earth Collaborative hosted the symposium How Interdisciplinary Perspectives Benefit Tropical Forest and Primate Conservation as part of the 30th International Primatological Society Congress The event featured presenters from Madagascar, Uganda, the Republic of Congo, Germany, and the United States—including several Biodiversity Fellows from Washington University and researchers from the Missouri Botanical Garden. Topics ranged from lemur ecology and community-based habitat protection to forest health indicators and integrating human wellbeing into conservation strategies.
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Fall Conferences & Symposium
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LEC Nature City Symposium
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September 26
9:00 am - 5:00 p.m.
Missouri Botanical Garden
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Register today for this year's Nature City Symposium! Join researchers, practitioners, and community partners to share bold visions for urban biodiversity, hear a keynote from Doug Tallamy, and learn about innovative urban biodiversity programs and research across our region. The day includes panels, working group updates, and a book signing reception.
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October 19
9:00 am - 5:00 p.m.
Missouri Botanical Garden
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This day-long event brings together researchers from across the region to share work in ecology, evolution, and conservation science. The retreat will include research talks, a poster session, and a keynote speaker, all aimed at fostering connection, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas among St. Louis-area scientists.
Registration opens soon and will close on October 1, 2025.
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November 3-6
Saint Louis Zoo
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ISWE is currently accepting abstracts for poster presentations, and presenters are expected to attend in person for the Poster Event & Trivia Evening on November 4, 2025, in St. Louis. The deadline to submit is September 21, 2025.
General conference registration for ISWE9 is now open. There are three attendee options: full in-person registration, single-day in-person tickets, and virtual attendance. Registration closes on September 30, 2025
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Inspire Future Researchers & Conservationists: Classroom Visit/Zoom Request |
LEC received a request from a high school biology teacher in southern Illinois who is looking for guest speakers to bring real-world biodiversity science into her classroom. If you work in animal behavior, conservation biology, urban ecology, or biodiversity—and are open to visiting a class (virtually or in person) this year—this is a great chance to share your work and inspire students to see the possibilities in science careers.
Interested or want more information? Email livingearth@wustl.edu and we’ll connect you!
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Contribute to LEC Happenings |
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Do you have an opportunity, event, or research/conservation highlight you'd like to share with the Biodiversity Fellow community?
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Submit your newsletter content here!
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Biodiversity Fellow Profile
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To keep your Biodiversity Fellow profile up to date on the Living Earth Collaborative website, please take a few minutes to complete this short update form:
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Looking for WashU undergraduates to support your research? Create or update your research mentor profile on the LEC website by completing this short form:
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Washington University in St. Louis
1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130
washu.edu
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Washington University in St. Louis
1 Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
washu.edu
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