Statistical Ecology: What is it?

Vianey Leos Barajas, Assistant Professor, Department of Statistical Sciences and School of the Environment, University of Toronto

Abstract: Statistical ecology is a fast-growing interdisciplinary field that traverses ecology, statistics, computer science, among many other fields. A simplified description of the field can be given as: “development of novel statistical methods to answer challenging ecological questions”. With the amount of data that can now be collected remotely from sensors, from animals and the environment, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration for the development of ecologically relevant statistical and mathematical methods, along with the inclusion of domain expertise, is growing rapidly. I will present on my statistical research for the analyses of animal movement and behaviour, with examples from analyses of shark movement, sheep movement, and neonate snake personality. I will also cover other common research areas in statistical ecology — fun with whales, eagles, and more!

Brief Bio: Vianey Leos Barajas is an Assistant professor in the Department of Statistical Sciences and School of the Environment. Vianey primarily works in the area of statistical ecology, with a focus on the analysis of animal movement and time series modeling. Most recently, she began working in environmental statistics and spatial modeling of disease data. Vianey looks forward to pursuing collaborative projects with researchers from both departments at the University of Toronto and creating an ecological and environmental data science group.

Location: ONLINE. To register for this event, please open the Eventbrite page.