Dr. Gray brings a diverse professional background, including teaching biology,
preconstruction environmental permit review of endangered species habitat with
the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, and eight years of research experience
tracking ecosystem response to estuarine marsh restoration on the Oregon coast.
She has also contributed to notable research efforts such as the University of
Washington's Wetland Ecosystem Team and the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Responsibilities: Her doctoral and ongoing professional
studies have led her to apply a wide variety of field sampling and analysis
techniques. She is skilled at experimental design, bioenergetics modeling,
invertebrate community analysis, fish diet contents analysis, underwater
videography, woody debris placement, GPS/GIS technologies and spatial analysis,
multivariate and other statistical techniques, and fish marking and recapture
studies.
Her work also highlights the acquisition of data,
including elevation information, using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology
to improve landscape classifications, the analysis of restoration success, and to
evaluate potential restoration sites.
Dr. Gray has published her work in peer journals such as
Restoration Ecology, and Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, and has a
number of articles pending publication.
Background: Ayesha earned her Ph.D. from
the College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences, School of Aquatic and
Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington (2005), where she
focused her doctoral research on restoration and estuarine ecology,
with special emphasis on recovery of juvenile salmonid habitat and
on mechanisms of habitat development for fishes.
Personal: "Much of my time
is spent in wetlands, but when I'm not knee-deep in mud looking at bugs,
I am making art, playing rock and roll, hiking in the mountains or beachcombing." |
