Achievement

Preparation of First Cohort for Research At this stage, our primary research achievement has been the integrative preparation of our first cohort of Trainees. Students have framed their doctoral research to follow our programmatic vision of Applied Biodiversity Science, which includes disciplinary training, cross-disciplinary teamwork, collaboration with local actors in their field sites, and intentions to link theory with practice. The first cohort have completed their first year of coursework, including courses in the departments of Biology and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, and the co-taught course in ABS. They also participated in our first three-week Amazon Field School. As a result of these and other IGERT activities, including our ABS Seminar Series and the weekly ABS Journal Club, the Trainees have been able to complete their doctoral research proposals. They are now initiating field research in three of the ABS case study regions, US-Mexico, Amazon, and Gran Chaco.