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
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].
Preprints
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. bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2025.10.30.685572. In revision for American Journal of Botany.
Selected Presentations
(* - upcoming)
| 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., A. Carmichael, & L. Eserman-Campbell. Investigating genetic diversity and species delimitation across the Sarracenia rubra species complex to inform ex situ conservation and reintroductions. Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation (SePPCon). Atlanta, GA. Poster presentation. 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
| 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. |
Teaching Assistantships
| Spring 2023 | Field Botany (ENVS341). Emory University. |
| Fall 2022 | Intro to ENVS Field Studies (ENVS131). Emory University. |
Other Work Experience
| 2023-2024 | DEI Program Assistant, Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University. |
| 2021-2024 | Resident/Sophomore Advisor, Office of Residence Life, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. |
| Mar-Dec 2022 | Environmental Health & Safety Coordinator, Saikawa Laboratory, Emory University. |
| 2021-2022 | Intern, Office of Sustainability Initiatives, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. |
| Jun-Aug 2021 | Environmental Education Intern, Sensing Nature LLC, Seminole, FL (virtual). |
Service & Leadership
| 2025-present | Volunteer, University of Minnesota Conservatory & Botanical Collection |
| 2023-2024 | Waffle Wednesdays Co-Czar, Dept. of Env. Sciences, Emory University |
| 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
|
| 2020-2024 | Founder & Executive Board, Emory Ecological Society (ESA SEEDS Chapter) |
| 2022-2023 | University Climate Action & Resilience Task Force, Emory University |
| 2021-2023 | Forest Restoration Volunteer, Fernbank Museum of Natural History |
| 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
| 2025 | Honorable Mention - NSF GRFP, National Science Foundation |
| 2024 | Boisfeuillet Jones Medal for Servant Leadership, Emory University Elizabeth Long Atwood Undergraduate Research Award, Emory University Libraries SEEDS Travel Award to ESA 2024, Ecological Society of America - SEEDS Program 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) UNFCCC COP27 Delegate, Emory Climate Talks/Dept. of ENVS, Emory University Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Fellowship, Emory University Robert S. Hascall Sustainability Innovator Award, Office of Sustainability, Emory University GAEP Scholarship, Georgia Association of Environmental Professionals |
| 2021 | Eta Sigma Phi Honorary Society for Classical Studies Jeanne Gold Dean’s Achievement Scholarship, Emory University |
| 2020 | Kohler Co. Scholarship, Kohler Co. |
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