Prof. Wayne Getz (UC Berkeley) 

Bio:

Wayne Marcus Getz is a distinguished professor and esteemed researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a diverse educational background, having earned his undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Mathematics from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He further pursued his academic journey and obtained a D.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Cape Town, also in South Africa. With his interdisciplinary expertise, Getz has made significant contributions to the fields of ecology, conservation biology, and applied mathematics. His research endeavors have focused on understanding the complex dynamics of wildlife populations, resource management, and the interaction between humans and their environment. Throughout his illustrious career, Getz has held various academic positions, with his affiliation with UC Berkeley being particularly notable. He has been a professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management for a substantial period, actively shaping the department's research agenda and contributing to its academic excellence.

Getz's primary research interests lie in the study of animal movement patterns, utilizing mathematical models and ecological data to unravel the intricacies of migration, dispersal, and habitat selection. His work has provided valuable insights into the behavior of diverse species and has advanced our understanding of wildlife ecology. In addition to his research, Getz is a dedicated educator and mentor, known for his ability to inspire and guide students in their academic pursuits. He has supervised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, nurturing their intellectual growth and encouraging them to make their own contributions to the field. Beyond academia, Getz actively collaborates with governmental and non-governmental organizations, contributing his expertise to the development of effective conservation strategies and policies. His research has been published in esteemed scientific journals, and he has been invited to share his findings and insights at conferences and symposia worldwide. Wayne Marcus Getz's multidisciplinary background and exceptional research accomplishments have established him as a respected figure within the academic community. His work continues to advance the fields of ecology and conservation biology, making substantial contributions to the sustainable management of wildlife populations and the protection of our natural environment.

Prof Tanya Berger-Wolf (Ohio State University)

Abstract: Computation has transformed how we study nature and make decisions. Emerging technologies, such as GPS, high-definition and autonomous imaging, eDNA, bioacoustics, and crowdsourcing, now generate multimodal, multiscale, multisensory data about life on Earth at unprecedented richness. Yet our ability to extract insight from these data still lags behind our ability to collect them.

This gap is urgent: we are in the middle of the sixth mass extinction, losing biodiversity faster than we can measure it. In many cases, we lack even the basic knowledge of which species are disappearing, limiting our ability to understand drivers, forecast ecosystem impacts, and inform policy.

This talk will explore how AI can push the boundaries of state-of-the-art analysis to turn these vast data streams into high-resolution information about living organisms. It will introduce imageomics, a new field of science, and present a vision for AI as a trustworthy partner in scientific discovery and biodiversity conservation.

Bio :

Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf is a Professor of Computer Science Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the Ohio State University, where she is also the Director of the Translational Data Analytics Institute. A pioneer in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for ecology, biodiversity, and conservation, she leads the NSF-funded Imageomics Institute and the US-Canada co-funded AI and Biodiversity Change (ABC) Global Center.

Dr. Berger-Wolf serves as a scientific advisor and board member for many organizations, including the US National Academies Board on Life Sciences, US National Committee for the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI)/OECD, National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), and The Nature Conservancy. She co-founded the AI for conservation non-profit Wild Me (now part of Conservation X Labs), creator of Wildbook, recognized by UNESCO for advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Her contributions have earned numerous honors, including recognition as the AI 100 Global Thought Leaders by H20.ai and the OSU College of Engineering Lumley Interdisciplinary Research Award. She is an elected Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI).