Ph.D. Candidate Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz 2018 - present

M.A. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz 2021

M.S. Environmental Studies, San José State University 2014

B.S. Environmental Science, Santa Clara University, Magna Cum Laude 2009

9/2018 – present Graduate Teaching Assistant
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department
University of California, Santa Cruz, CA

Systematic Botany of Flowering Plants – Winter 2019, 2020, 2023
Examining the taxonomy and evolution of flowering plants with topics of phylogenetics and cladistics, plant species concepts, and systematic research.

Plants and Society – Spring 2022
Introduces plant biology as it affects human society, including agriculture origins, food plants chemistry, medicinal plant uses, and material uses of plant products.

Field Methods in Plant Ecology – Fall 2018, 2020, Spring 2021
Exploration of concepts and techniques of plant ecology using lab, greenhouse, and field-based exercises, emphasizing statistical analysis and scientific writing.

Evolution – Spring 2020
Focuses on physiological, behavioral, and population ecology, and on linking ecological processes to evolution.

Physiology and Development – Spring 2019
Topics in morphology, physiology, development, genetics, and endocrinology exemplify current issues and perspectives in organismic biology.

1/2022 – 3/2022 Teaching Fellow
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department
University of California, Santa Cruz, CA

Instructor of record for Systematic Botany of Flowering Plants. Examining the taxonomy and evolution of flowering plants with topics of phylogenetics and cladistics, plant species concepts, and systematic research.

1/2015 – 7/2018 Lecturer
Department of Environmental Studies
San José State University, San José, CA

Instructor of record for three undergraduate courses. 

Introduction to Environmental Restoration
A field course introducing the interdisciplinary art and science of restoring destroyed or degraded habitats, emphasizing the interplay of ecological principles, planning, implementation, and monitoring of restoration plans.

Advanced Environmental Restoration
A field course structured around a class project at a local restoration site to practice monitoring techniques, data analysis, and report-writing and presentation skills.

Life on a Changing Planet
Introduction to the basic skills and knowledge necessary to critically examine biological and environmental issues.

3/2016 – 6/2016 Adjunct Lecturer
Environmental Studies and Sciences Department
Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA

Instructor of record for Introduction to Applied Ecology, which focuses on environmental issues through the lens of biological sciences.

8/2011 – 5/2012 Graduate Instructor Assistant
Department of Environmental Studies
San José State University, San José, CA

Teaching assistant for two field courses: Introduction to Environmental Restoration and Sustainable Agriculture.

8/2018 – present Graduate Researcher, Invasive Plant Laboratory
University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
Team Dittrichia Project
Supervisor: Dr. Ingrid Parker

8/2015 – 8/2018 Senior Ecologist, Habitats Program
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, Alviso, CA
Inner Bair Island and Pond A17 Projects
Supervisor: David Thomson

3/2012 – 6/2014 Research Assistant, Plant Evolution Laboratory
Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Erysimum teretifolium Project
Supervisor: Dr. Justen Whittall

9/2009 – 10/2009 Field Research Assistant, Primate Behavior
La Suerte Biological Station, Costa Rica
Mantled Howling Monkey Behavior Project
Supervisor: Dr. Michelle Bezanson

8/2014 – 1/2015 Environmental Volunteers, Inc., Palo Alto, CA
Development Assistant

Assisted with grant proposals, letters of intent, and reports to funding agencies, as well as fundraising and donor events. 

8/2013 – 8/2014 Collaboration Projects Manager

Responsible for science education projects, including Science by Nature, Mountain View Whisman School District Collaboration, Educate for Depth program, George Mayne School Collaboration, East Palo Alto Charter School Collaboration, and Project PINE. Coordinated with funding agencies, partner organizations, and schools. 

5/2012 – 9/2014 Graduate Coordinator Assistant
Environmental Studies Program
San José State University, San José, CA

Supported graduate program students, assisted with incoming graduate applications, and host for Current Topics in Environmental Studies.

4/2008 – 8/2011 Environmental Administrative Assistant
EOA, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA

Supported the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP). 

SENIOR THESIS STUDENTS

2022 - present Amy Chattaway (UCSC)

2021 - 2022 Emma Snyder (UCSC), Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research 2023

2020 - 2021 Andrew Lopez (UCSC), Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research 2022

CENTER TO ADVANCE MENTORED, INQUIRY-BASED OPPORTUNITES SCHOLARS 

2022 Amy Chattaway (UCSC)

2020 Andrew Lopez (UCSC)

DORIS DUKE CONSERVATION SCHOLARS

2022 Kyle Dahilig (University of Guam)

2021 Michael Fernandez (University of Guam)

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

2022 - present Emma Gloudeman (UCSC)

2021 - 2022 Tania Cooley (UCSC)

2021 - 2022 Ryan Chiriboga (UCSC)

2021 - 2022 Ian Budesa (UCSC)

2021 - 2022 Kenton Kiser (UCSC)

2021 - 2022 Rachel Bradley (UCSC)

2021 Trevor Jensen (UCSC)

2021 Becky Tapia (UCSC)

2020 - 2021 Toni Jaroszewska (UCSC)

2020 Veronica Ness (UCSC)

2020                   Xinwen Hu (UCSC)

2020                   Colby Cole (UCSC)

2019 - 2022 Josie Borden (UCSC)

2018 Dante Park (UCSC)

Peer-Reviewed Publications

• Melen MK, Snyder ED, Fernandez M, Lopez A, Lustenhouwer N, Parker IM. Dittrichia graveolens (stinkwort, Asteraceae) invades new habitats away from roadsides without evolutionary change. In prep.

• Lustenhouwer N, Chaubet TMR, Melen MK, van der Putten WH, Parker IM. Plant-soil interactions during the native and exotic range expansion of an annual plant. In prep.

• Melen MK, Herman JA, Lucas J, O’Malley RE, Parker IM, Thom AM, and Whittall JB. 2016. Reproductive success through high pollinator visitation rates despite self incompatibility in an endangered wallflower. American Journal of Botany 103: 1979-1989. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1600193.

Publications

• McEvoy SL, Lustenhouwer N, Melen MK, Nguyen O, Marimuthu MPA, Chumchim N, Beraut E, Parker IM, Meyer RS. 2023. Chromosome-level reference genome of stinkwort, Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter: a resource for studies on invasion, range expansion, and evolutionary adaptation under global change. Journal of Heredity  esad033. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esad033.

• Lustenhouwer N, Rogers T, Aiello EL, Beheshti KM, Favilla A, Fox LR, Gonzalez ST, Howard EA, Kendall-Bar JM, Melen MK, Munch SB, Shearin ZRC, Valenzuela Toro A, and Parker IM. 2019. A Theory of Global Biodiversity. Monographs in Population Biology, Volume 60 by Boris Worm and Derek P. Tittensor. The Quarterly Review of Biology 94(3): 321. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/705102.

• Melen, MK. 2014. A promiscuous wallflower: the rare Zayante sandhills endemic Erysimum teretifolium (Brassicaceae) benefits from outcrossing. San José State University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing (1560892637). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/promiscuous-wallflower-rare-zayante-sandhills/docview/1560892637/se-2. 

Presentations

• Melen M. 2023. Invasions stink: Dittrichia graveolens. Santa Cruz County Weed Management Area April Meeting. UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Santa Cruz, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2022. A day in the life of a biology graduate student. Department of Biology Seminar Series. Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, USA.

• Melen M. Fall 2022. Impacts on the environment: water. Environmental Volunteers, School Programs Volunteer Training, Palo Alto, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2022. Introduction to ecology. Environmental Volunteers, School Programs Volunteer Training, Palo Alto, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2022. The evolution of invasion: how noxious weeds spread away from roadsides. 10th Biennial UC Santa Cruz Plant Science Symposium. UCSC, Santa Cruz, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2021. Evolutionary ecology of Dittrichia graveolens in California: improving invasion risk assessment and mitigating impacts. The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA. Presentation Link.

• Melen M.  Spring 2021. Invasion potential of the annual plant Dittrichia graveolens in grasslands: competition and disturbance. UCNRS, California Ecology & Conservation field course. Blue Oak Ranch Reserve, San Jose, California, USA.

• Lustenhouwer N, Chaubet T,  Melen M, van der Putten W, and Parker I. 2020. Plant-soil interactions during the native and exotic range expansion of the annual plant Dittrichia graveolens.  Annual Meeting of the British Ecological Society.

• Melen M, Lopez A, Lustenhouwer N, and Parker I. 2020. Invasion potential of the annual plant Dittrichia graveolens in grasslands: competition and disturbance. 18th Annual Stanford/UCSC Species Interactions Workshop. Presentation Link.

• Melen M. 2020. All about saltmarshes. Environmental Volunteers, School Programs Volunteer Training, Palo Alto, California, USA.

• Melen M.  Fall 2020. Invasion potential of the annual plant Dittrichia graveolens in grasslands: competition and disturbance. UCNRS, California Ecology & Conservation field course. Blue Oak Ranch Reserve, San Jose, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2020. Introduction to ecology. Environmental Volunteers, School Programs Volunteer Training, Palo Alto, California, USA.

• Melen M, Lustenhouwer N, and Parker I. 2020. Eco-evolutionary drivers of native and exotic range expansion in a weedy annual plant, Dittrichia graveolens (Asteraceae). Botany 2020 – Virtual Botany Conference. Presentation Link.

• Melen M.  Spring 2020. Invasion potential of the annual plant Dittrichia graveolens in grasslands: competition and disturbance. UCNRS, California Ecology & Conservation field course. Blue Oak Ranch Reserve, San Jose, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2020. Plant mating systems: angiosperms. Systematic Botany of Flowering Plants course. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. UC Santa Cruz, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2019. Building partnerships to curb the onslaught of invading stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens). 20th Annual Central Coast Weed Symposium, Carmel Valley, California, USA.

• Melen M. Winter 2019. A promiscuous wallflower: the rare sandhills endemic plant, Erysimum teretifolium (Brassicaceae), is self-incompatible and relies on a diversity of pollinators. 9th Biennial UC Santa Cruz Plant Science Symposium. UCSC, Santa Cruz, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2019. Plant mating systems: angiosperms. Systematic Botany of Flowering Plants course. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. UC Santa Cruz, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2018. Introduction to ecology. Environmental Volunteers, School Programs Volunteer Training, Palo Alto, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2014. A promiscuous wallflower: the rare sandhills endemic plant, Erysimum teretifolium (Brassicaceae), is self-incompatible and relies on a diversity of pollinators. Findings presented at the 99th Annual Ecological Society of America Meeting, Sacramento, California, USA.

• Melen M. 2014. A promiscuous wallflower: the rare Zayante sandhills endemic Erysimum teretifolium (Brassicaceae) benefits from outcrossing. Environmental Studies Department, San José State University, San José, California, USA. Presentation Link.

• Langland, M. and Melen, M. 2009. Improving the quality of life for everyone? Ethnic neighborhoods in San José bear the brunt of pollution and redevelopment. Preliminary findings were presented at Santa Clara University’s 2nd Annual Undergraduate Science and Engineering Symposium, Santa Clara, CA.

Posters

• Snyder E, Melen M, and Parker IM. 2022. Response of Dittrichia graveolens (stinkwort) to competition with non-native grasses in varying soil conditions. 10th Biennial UC Santa Cruz Plant Science Symposium. UCSC, Santa Cruz, California, USA.

• Lopez A, Melen M, Lustenhouwer N, Parker IM. 2020. Characteristics of plant communities invaded by Dittrichia graveolens (Asteraceae), as it spreads away from roadsides in Santa Clara County. Findings presented at Cal-IPC Symposium Online 2020.

• Melen M, DeJan K, Herman J, Powell G, Parker I, Whittall J, O’Malley R. 2013. Effects of Genetic Divergence and Geographic Distance on Mating Success in the Rare Sandhill Endemic, Erysimum teretifolium (Brassicaceae). Findings presented at the 98th Annual Ecological Society of America Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

• Melen M, DeJan K, Herman J, Powell G, Parker I, O’Malley R, Whittall J. 2013. The Effects of Genetic Divergence and Geographic Distance in Determining Mating Success in the Rare Sandhill Endemic, Erysimum teretifolium (Brassicaceae). Preliminary findings presented at Evolution 2013, Snowbird, Utah, USA.

Technical Reports

• Melen M, Jower C, Thomson D, Lynch E, Cech E, Hinshaw M, Rinkert A, and Bertken M. 2018. DE SFB NWR Pond A17 – Year 1 and 2 Report (Plant Community Creation and Enhancement), SFBBO Habitats Program. Prepared for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Coastal Conservancy, and Zanker Landscape Materials.

• Melen M, Jower C, Thomson D, Lynch E, Cech E, Hinshaw M, Rinkert A, and Bertken M. 2018. Inner Bair Island Upland Transitional Habitat Creation – Year 2 Report (Rev.2018.2), SFBBO Habitats Program. Prepared for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

• Melen M, de Leon J, Dexter K, Hovind K, Martin T, Millstein A, Palm D, Schreiber M, Sepulveda J, and Wong K. 2017. Habitat Restoration at Inner Bair Island: Vegetation Monitoring of Inner Bair Island, Phase 1 - Year 2. Prepared for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Melen M, Cluff J, DeMichele A, Fisher A, Fong M, Guzman B, Juico E, McMahan D, Murguia A, Nguyen P, Rodrigues R, Solis A, and Thompson A. 2017. Habitat Restoration at Inner Bair Island: Baseline Monitoring and Comparison of Inner Bair Island, Phase 2a. Prepared for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Thomson D, Melen M, Lynch E, Bertken M, and Kakouros A. 2016. DE SFB NWR Inner Bair Island - Phase I Plant Community Creation, SFBBO Habitats Program, Year 1 Report. Prepared for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Melen M, Bates L, Cabral C, Cech E, Cervantes Rodriguez L, Clark B, Hinshaw M, Hopper L, Le T, Mauk D, Tomes N, and Chan R. 2016. Habitat Restoration at Inner Bair Island: Baseline Monitoring of Inner Bair Island, Phase 2 and Analysis of Soil Compaction and Soil Moisture with Vegetation Cover, Phase 1. Prepared for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Melen M, Arndt K, Bates L, Baudino L, Belzer M, Bui T, Cabral C, Calara D, Chan R, Cech E, Cervantes Rodriguez L, Chowdhury M, Clark B, Fajardo Y, Hinshaw M, Hopper L, Le T, Mathiesen M, Mauk D, McDonald S, Navarra S, Nguyen V, Nieves G, Poudel R, Sam B, Sanchez D, Schubert J, Semene K, Solorio A, Syriani D, Tokatlian K, Tomes N, Walsh J, and Yang M. 2016. Plant Guide for EnvS 191 Class Research at Inner Bair Island, Redwood City, California. Prepared for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Melen M, Arndt K, Bates L, Baudino L, Belzer M, Bui T, Cabral C, Calara D, Chan R, Cech E, Cervantes Rodriguez L, Chowdhury M, Clark B, Fajardo Y, Hinshaw M, Hopper L, Le T, Mathiesen M, Mauk D, McDonald S, Navarra S, Nguyen V, Nieves G, Poudel R, Sam B, Sanchez D, Schubert J, Semene K, Solorio A, Syriani D, Tokatlian K, Tomes N, Walsh J, and Yang M. 2016. Historic Report of Inner Bair Island and SJSU Research Summary for Spring 2016. Prepared for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Melen M. 2016. Habitat Restoration at Inner Bair Island. Prepared for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Articles

• Melen M. 2013. The Perks of Being a Ben Lomond Wallflower. California Native Plant Society, Santa Clara Valley Chapter, The Blazing Star.

• Melen M. 2013. Nature Notes: Zayante Sandhills. Environmental Volunteers Newsletter. 

2023 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Fellowship, University of California Santa Cruz, $6,000 

2023 Summer Research Grant, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, $1200

2022-2023 Jean H. Langenheim Graduate Fellowship in Plant Ecology and Evolution, University of California Santa Cruz, $17,575

2023 Howard-Kohn Memorial Scholarship, California Native Plant Society, Marin Chapter, $3,000

2023 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program Award, $150

2023 PBSci Peer Mentoring Coalition Peer Mentoring Programs, University of California Santa Cruz, $8,065.85

2023 Mentoring Fellowship, University of California Santa Cruz, $600

2022 Regent's Fellowship, University of California Santa Cruz, $1,200

2022 University of California Santa Cruz Plant Science Fund, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, $640

2022 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Fellowship, University of California Santa Cruz, $500

2022 Summer Research Grant, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, $1,200

2021-2022 Student Fee Advisory Committee Funding, Division of Student Affairs and Success, University of California Santa Cruz, to the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Peer to Peer Mentoring Program, $3,670

2021 Regent's Fellowship, University of California Santa Cruz, $100

2020-2022 The United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Standard Grant, graduate student with PI Ingrid Parker, $454,999

2020 Summer Fellowship Program, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, $5,350

2020 3rd Place Best Student Poster Award, Cal-IPC Symposium Online, $500

2019 Summer Research Grant, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, $1,500

2019 Regent's Fellowship, University of California Santa Cruz, $6,850

2016 “Just In Time” Faculty Funding, College of Social Science, San José State University, $500

2014 Graduate Student Travel Grant, Environmental Studies Department, San José State University, $500

2013 Graduate Student Travel Grant, American Society of Naturalists, $500

2013 Graduate Research Scholarship, California Native Plant Society, Santa Clara Valley Chapter, $1,500

2012 Research Grant, College of Social Sciences, San José State University, $1,500

2012 General Endowment Scholarship, San José State University, $100

2009 Environmental Studies Institute Student Leadership Award, Santa Clara University

• Animal: wildlife camera traps, pollinator guild identification, sweep netting, insect beating, Malaise traps, pitfall traps

• Vegetation: point-intercept transects, line-intercept transects, quadrat vegetation sampling, tree diameter and coring, plant counts, percent cover, dichotomous key plant identification

• Greenhouse: plant management, collections, seed processing and storage, seeding and transplanting, emasculation and hand pollination, greenhouse sanitation and safety training

• Laboratory: microscopy, specimen voucher preparation, lab safety training

• Soil: compaction meter, soil horizon and texture protocols, soil moisture, WP4

• Productivity: Canvas, Hypothesis, Slack, Zotero

• Statistical Packages: JMP, RStudio (beginner)

• Preventing Sexual Harassment and Assault in Field Settings, FieldFutures, May 26, 2023

• Pedagogy Course Mentor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz, Spring 2023

• Building Belonging: Addressing Equity Gaps through Mindful Feedback & Assessment Workshop, Teaching and Learning Center (TLC), UC Santa Cruz, May 23, 2023

• Mental Health Training, Counseling & Psychological Services, UC Santa Cruz, October 22, 2021

• Peer to Peer Mentorship Workshop, Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning (CITL), UC Santa Cruz, Sep 29, 2021

• Mental Health Training, Counseling & Psychological Services, UC Santa Cruz, February 26, 2021

• Supporting Student Resilience During Remote Instruction Workshop, Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning (CITL), UC Santa Cruz, June 1, 2020

• Black Scientists Advancing Ecology and Evolution Seminar Series, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz, Fall 2020

• Pedagogy for Grads in EEB Seminar Series, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz, Fall 2020

• Peer to Peer Mentorship Workshop, Center for Innovations in Teaching and Learning (CITL), UC Santa Cruz, October 15, 2020

• Preventing Sexual Harassment Workshop - EEB Grads, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz, October 9, 2020

Graduate Student Representative, California Botanical Society 2021 – present
Attends monthly board meetings. Assisted in organizing and implementing the 2022 California Botanical Society Banquet at the UCSC Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.

EEB Graduate Student Representative, PBSci Peer Mentoring Coalition, UCSC July 2020 – present
Assists fundraising for cross-divisional mentoring events and helps liaise between the EEB P2P Graduate Mentoring Program and the PBSci Peer Mentoring Coalition.

Graduate Student Advisor, Plant Sciences Club, UCSC April 2019 – present
Supports club activities and liaises with departmental staff and faculty advisor as needed. Maintains the Plant Sciences Google Group listserv and the club website.

Lab Safety Representative, Parker Lab, UCSC June 2021 – present, April 2019 – July 2019
Serves as the conduit for questions and safety information between the lab group and Environmental Health & Safety. Onboards new lab members, and performs safety checks and inspections.

Emergency Services Volunteer, City of Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA June 2005 – present
Trained to assist during natural disasters, including search and rescue, field triage, fire suppression, and mass care (shelters, human services). Basic training in first aid, CPR, AED, and FRS radios.

EEB Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program Co-Chair, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCSC July 2020 – 2022
Recruited senior graduate students to mentor first-year graduate students. Coordinated workshops on peer-mentoring, mental health awareness, and preparing for departmental exams.