CV
Education
| 2025-present | University of Minnesota Ph.D. Student in Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior |
| 2020-2024 | Emory University B.S. Environmental Sciences: Ecology & Conservation; Statistics Minor |
Research Interests
Ecology, evolution, biogeography, and applied conservation of amphibians and rare plants
Ex situ conservation and collections-based research at botanical gardens and arboreta
Field-based, experiential, and community-engaged learning in ecology, evolution, and environmental science
Research Experience
| 2025-present | Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, University of Minnesota Conservation genomics of imperiled bristleberries (Rubus sect. Setosi) |
| 2024-2025 | Research Technician (NSF Rare Plant RaMP), Atlanta Botanical Garden Phylogenomics to inform species delimitation in the Sarracenia rubra complex |
| 2022-2024 | Undergraduate Honors Researcher, Emory University Habitat use and community ecology in the newly-described Talladega seal salamander (Desmognathus cheaha) |
| May-Aug 2023 | Hollings Scholar, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA/UW SAFS Physiological responses of diploid and triploid farmed Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) to climate stressors. |
| 2021-2022 | Undergraduate Researcher, Saikawa Laboratory, Emory University Soil and stream sediment contamination in the metro-Atlanta area |
| 2021-2022 | Undergraduate Researcher, Dept. of ENVS, Emory University Salamander diversity in university forests and updates to the Emory Forest Management Plan |
Publications
Hines K., N.J. Chang, S. Pierce, & C. Brown. In press. Propagation Protocol: Seed germination and nursery culture protocol for American starvine (Schisandra glabra). Native Plants Journal 26(2):158–162.
Chang, N.J., L. Eserman-Campbell, A. Carmichael, A.B. Smith, X. Loy, E.E.D. Coffey, & J. Ojcascastro. Ecological niche modeling reveals niche differentiation and climate vulnerability in two imperiled, sympatric Southern Appalachian carnivorous plants. 2026. American Journal of Botany 113:e70194. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.70194.
Chang, N., W. Hutchinson, & C. Keogh. 2025. Microhabitat use of the Talladega Seal Salamander (Desmognathus cheaha) and spatial niche partitioning with a congener in metro-Atlanta headwater streams. Herpetological Conservation & Biology 20(2):213-228. [PDF].
Selected Presentations
| 2025 | Chang, N., A. Carmichael, E. Baldwin, J. Leebens-Mack, E.E.D. Coffey, & L. Eserman-Campbell. Species delimitation in the Sarracenia rubra species complex to inform conservation actions. Botany 2025. Palm Springs, CA. Oral presentation. Chang, N., A. Carmichael, & L. Eserman-Campbell. Species delimitation in the Sarracenia rubra species complex to inform conservation actions. Center for Plant Conservation. St. Louis, MO. Poster presentation. |
| 2024 | Chang, N., I. Chen, I. Roeske, Y. Covey, K. Coles, M. Chen, C.K. Maki, W. Hutchinson, J. Wegner, & C. Keogh. Community through place: Peer-to-peer mentoring to advance student-led ecological science, practice, and action at Emory University. Ecological Society of America. Long Beach, CA. Oral presentation. Chang, N., W. Hutchinson, & C. Keogh. Patterns in habitat use of the newly-described Talladega seal salamander (Desmognathus cheaha). Southeastern Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. Nauvoo, AL. Speed Talk. Winner, Best Student/Early Career Speed Talk. Chang, N., K. Jackson, P. McElhany, S. Busch, & C. Norrie. Physiological responses of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) of different ploidy groups to spatial variation in environmental conditions. Ocean Sciences Meeting. New Orleans, LA. Poster presentation. |
| 2022 | Chang, N., E. Saikawa, T.R. Bowen, L. Fawkes, & F. Sams. Analysis of heavy metals and metalloids in metallurgical slags and stream sediments from the metro-Atlanta area. Emory University Undergraduate Research Summer Symposium. Atlanta, GA. Poster presentation. |
Grants & Funding
| 2026 | Integrative species delimitation of wild bristleberries: pilot spectral and genomic data collection. UMN Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Departmental Research Funding. $1,500. |
| 2024 | Broadening participation in herp conservation: funding for an undergraduate cohort to attend the 2024 Southeastern Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation meeting. Emory University Dept. of Env. Sciences James G. Lester Fund. $3,349. |
| 2023 | Okefenokee As Place: Weekend Field Trip to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Ecological Society of America SEEDS Chapter Grant. In collaboration with Iris Chen and Carrie Keogh. $970. Investigating habitat use and community dynamics of Desmognathus sp. salamanders in an urban landscape. Emory University Department of Environmental Sciences James G. Lester Fund. Advisor: Carrie Keogh. $1,359.76 |
| 2021 | A survey of Emerald Ash Borers (Agrilus planipennis) in Emory University’s campus forests. Emory University Office of Sustainability Initiatives Incentives Fund. In collaboration with Caroline Maki. $1,050. Native Pollinator Garden and Campus Reforestation. Emory University Office of Sustainability Initiatives Incentives Fund. In collaboration with Caroline Maki. $2,200. |
Teaching Experience
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
| Spring 2025 | Flowering Plant Diversity/World Flora (PMB4511). UMN. |
Undergraduate Teaching Assistantships
| Spring 2023 | Field Botany (ENVS341). Emory University. |
| Fall 2022 | Intro to ENVS Field Studies (ENVS131). Emory University. |
Service & Leadership
| 2025-present | Curatorial Volunteer, University of Minnesota Conservatory & Botanical Collection |
| 2022-2024 | Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, Dept. of Env. Sciences, Emory University |
| 2022-2024 | Peer Mentor, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Emory University |
| 2021-2024 | University Senate Committee on the Environment, Emory University
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| 2020-2024 | Founder & Executive Board, Emory Ecological Society (ESA SEEDS Chapter) |
| 2022-2023 | University Climate Action & Resilience Task Force, Emory University |
| 2021-2022 | Organizing Committee, Symposium on Biological Diversity, Emory University |
Continuing Education & Professional Development
| 2025 | Applied Plant Conservation Course, Center for Plant Conservation |
| 2025 | IUCN Red List Assessor Certification, International Union for the Conservation of Nature |
Honors & Awards
| 2026 | Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation |
| 2024 | Boisfeuillet Jones Medal for Servant Leadership, Emory University Elizabeth Long Atwood Undergraduate Research Award, Emory University Libraries C. Woodbridge Hickox Award, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Emory University |
| 2023 | James G. Lester Scholarship, Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University ENVS Conference Travel Award, Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University |
| 2022 | Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Robert S. Hascall Sustainability Innovator Award, Office of Sustainability, Emory University |
Additional Information
Field Skills: Plant identification; amphibian surveys; incremental soil sampling
Software: R, ArcGIS Pro
Laboratory Skills: DNA isolation, genomic library preparation, qPCR, XRF spectrometry, spectrophotometry, titration, respirometry
Languages: Classical Latin (proficient), German (novice), Middle Egyptian (novice)
Interests: Hiking, camping, horticulture, aquaria, photography