Erim G贸mez
Assistant Professor of Wildlife Biology
Contact
- Office
- Forestry 309
- Phone
- 406-243-2406
- erim.gomez@umontana.edu
- Website
Personal Summary
I am an assistant professor of wildlife biology in the Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Science and the Wildlife Biology Program. I am a past award winner of the ($100,000) and now serve on the Board of the Bullitt Foundation. I used the fellowship to conduct conservation research on Palouse Prairie amphibians in Eastern Washington. I was formerly a Co-Director of Southern Oregon University’s Ecology Center of the Siskiyous (now the Environmental Resource Center). While at SOU, I co-led an effort to pass a green-tags initiative to offset the university’s carbon footprint. I have also served on the board of Oregon Stewardship and the board of the . I hold a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Southern Oregon University and Masters and Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sciences from Washington State University (2020). I am a naturalist at heart and thus have eclectic research interests, including the conservation of endangered species, the ecology and sustainability of freshwater ecosystems, and amphibians and freshwater fish. I am willing to serve on graduate student committees here at UM and for students at the universities. I often tell my students I am a conservation biologist who teaches wildlife biology.
I am a first-generation college graduate and proud of my parent’s farm working and immigrant roots. I am devoted to encouraging students from under-represented groups to pursue higher education, particularly in the sciences. In service of this goal, I frequently give presentations to students and their parents. I often enjoy giving these presentations in Spanish to connect with Latino communities. I also offer educational workshops and mentor undergraduate Latino student groups and students from the . I hope to create applied ecological research while helping diversify the conservation and environmental field.
In my spare time, I love to take photos of wildlife, paddle, float, and tube rivers, and Latin dance.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences. December 2020
Master of Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. December 2012
Natural Resource Sciences with a focus on Aquatic Ecology and Amphibian Conservation
Bachelor of Science, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR. June 2007
Major: Environmental Studies with a focus in Biology
Minors: Economics
Political Science
Speaking Engagements
“Amphibian Occupancy Modeling of an Inland Northwest Farmed Ecosystem: A Surprising Predictor of Occupancy.” Invited Seminar, Flathead Lake Biology Station, Flathead Lake Mt. June 2023
“Slime and Scales: Field Ecology Amphibian and Reptiles of Western Montana.” Teller Wildlife Refuge, Corvallis Mt June 2023
“Amphibians and Reptiles of Western Montana.” Educational Workshop, Montana Natural History Center, Missoula Mt. April 2023
“From Special Education to Wildlife Biologist.” Invited* Michigan State University -Extension, 4-H, Dec. 2022
“Creating a More Inclusive Classroom” Invited, Zoom, University of Nebraska, and the Wildlife Society. Sept. 2022
“Amphibian Occupancy Modeling of an Inland Northwest Farmed Ecosystem: A Surprising Predictor of Occupancy.” Invited Oral Presentation, Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Spokane Wa. July 2022
"Equity in the Wildlife Profession" Plenary, Montana Chapter Conference of the Wildlife Society, Butte, Mt Feb. 2022
ESPM: Grad Seminar, UC Berekely, Ca. Feb. 2022
"Amphibian Occupancy Modeling of an Inland Northwest Farmed Ecosystem: A Surprising Predictor of Occupancy." Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife: Grad Seminar, OSU, Corvallis, Or. Feb. 2022
"" K9 Conservationists Podcast Jan. 2022
"Latinx and Chicanx Legacy at WSU: A microcosm for the grater Chicano movement." Workshop, WSU Pullman. Wa. Nov. 2021
"" Invited Panelist, , Cornwall, UK, November. 2021
"." DiverseU Conference, 91次元, Missoula, Mt. Nov. 2021
"A Latino's Wildlife Story and Climate Change Biology." Latinx Heritage Month, LSAMP and SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY. Sept. 2021
"" Southern Oregon Unversity Commencement. Ashland, Or. June 2021
"Slime and Scales" Amphibian and Reptiles of the Wenatchee Valley." BirdFest, Wenatchee River Institute, Leavenworth, Wa. May 2021
"" Earth Week, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Or. April 2021
"Becoming a Naturalist." Latino HS Ecology Interns, William C. Velasquez Institute, Los Angeles, Ca. April 2021
"Ecological Models Predicting Amphibian Occupancy in Palouse Prairie Wetlands." Biology Department Seminar, Gonzaga University, Spokane Washington April 2021
"Purdue University Northwest (PNW) McNair Scholars Program’s Faculty Panel." Hammond, Indiana. April 2021
"Nuestra Casa - Our Home Children's Book." Read in Spanish, Corvallis, Or. March 2021
"" LatinX Student Union, Washington State University-Vancouver Wa. March. 2021.
"" Wildlife Biology Seminar, 91次元, Missoula, Mt. March 2021.
"" Host and Moderator, Wildlife Biology Program and SACNAS, 91次元, Missoula MT. Feb. 2021
"Indigenous Research Methods Panel" Session Host and Moderator. University of Indigenous Mentoring Program. Missoula, Mt. Feb. 2021.
"From Special Education to PhD: A Latino's Academic Journey." SACNAS Chapter, Washington State University, Pullman Wa. Feb. 2021.
"Climate Change and Ecological Models of Amphibian Communities in Palouse, Prairie Wetlands" School of the Environment, Seminar, Washington State University. Pullman Wa. Nov. 2020.
"Indigenous Mentoring Student Panel" Session Host and Moderator. 91次元, Indigenous Mentoring Program. Missoula, Mt. Oct. 2020.
"" DivereU. University of Montana, Missoula, Mt. Oct. 2020.
"Navigating College as a LatinX Student" Skagit Valley College, Wa. Panel Discussion. Oct. 2020.
"Introduction to Meso-American Ethnoboatany" University of Montana, Missoula, Mt. Mentored and Collaborated with UM Environmental Studies Masters Student, E. Castellanos. Sept. 2020.
"Anfibios y el Impacto Del Calentamiento Global" en Las Praderas de Norteamérica Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas (ESPE). Quito, Eucaro Aug. 2020.
Field of Study
Conservation Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Non-game Conservation and Management, Amphibian Conservation and Ecology, Non-native Species, Freshwater Biology, and Equilty in Wildlife Profession.
Publications
“Introduction to Wildlife Management and Conservation in North America.” Gomez, E., Biship, C., Orgen J. and Ryder, T. Great River Learning, Dubuque, IA. ISBN: 9781680755961 Sole Author: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Wildlife Biology Co-author: Careers in Wildlife Biology and Closely Related Disciplines Chapter
Specialized Skills
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Conservation Profession.
Professional Experience
Training
"Adaptive Leadership Inquiry Project." UM Office of Organizational Learning and Development, Spring 2021
"Race and Teaching Faculty Learning Community." Six Meetings, MUS Teaching Scholars Learning Communities, UM Law School, Spring Semester 2021
Honors / Awards
UM Franke College of Forestry & Conservation Faculty Service Award 2023
WSU Alumni Association La Alazina Award 2022
AAAS Science and Policy Workshop Scholarship 2015
SOU Alumni Ambassador Award: Biology Department Hall of Fame 2014
WSU President’s Leadership Award 2014
WSU Future Faculty Fellowship 2014
WSU President Teaching Academy 2013
Bullitt Environmental Leadership Fellowship: $100,000, 2011-2013