Mentor & Lab: Reza Goljani Amirkhiz – Zavaleta Lab
Positions: 2
Tentative dates: July 15 – September 15, 2026
Project Location: Lab on Coastal Campus
Project Background: Mountain ecosystems are among the most climate-sensitive environments on Earth, yet long-term data on how alpine species have responded to past environmental change are scarce. This project focuses on reconstructing historical distributions of alpine breeding birds in the Colorado Rocky Mountains using archival data sources such as museum specimens, historical surveys, and field notes.
By combining historical occurrence records with modern geospatial and environmental data, the intern will help build species distribution models (SDMs) that allow comparisons between historical and contemporary alpine habitats. These analyses will contribute to a broader effort to understand how climate change has reshaped high-elevation bird communities and to inform future conservation planning in alpine systems.
Intern duties:
• Compile and curate historical bird occurrence records from multiple databases and archival sources
• Assist with preparing spatial datasets, including topography, land cover, and climate variables
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of species distribution models for selected alpine bird species
Intern qualifications:
This position is designed as a hands-on learning opportunity. Ideal candidates are curious, motivated, and interested in gaining experience in ecological data science.
• Interest in ecology, conservation, and quantitative environmental science
• Willingness to learn GIS and basic statistical modeling
• Experience with GIS software, Excel, or basic statistics is helpful but not required
Do you recommend the intern(s) volunteer in your lab during Spring quarter? Prior volunteering in the lab during spring quarter is not required.
