Dr. Jesse Borden is a conservation ecologist with a strong background in interdisciplinary terrestrial ecology. His research has focused on human habitat alteration and its impact on ecological communities. Having worked on a diverse array of projects, he brings expertise in habitat alteration, biodiversity interactions, the spread of invasive species, the impacts of urban development, and forest and canopy ecology. Through his work he has honed strong skills in data analyses and visualization, research design, field techniques, GIS and spatial analyses, and science communication. Dr. Borden has authored or co-authored several peer-reviewed publications on a variety of systems and taxa from studying the complex impacts of invasive grass in long-leaf pine systems, to exploring the interactive effects of urban development and invasive species spread in Florida, to studying the many dimensions of impact that cities have on wildlife across North America.

With nearly two decades of experience living and working internationally (in East Africa, Southern Europe, Central America, and the USA), Dr. Borden brings a passion for cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary collaboration. He has led numerous research and educational field expeditions in East Africa and Central America and enjoys both teaching and mentoring students along the way. He holds both a Doctorate and Masters in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida, and a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Westmont College.