Meet the Committee

Dr Sarah Dalrymple (she/her) – Co-chair

I am a Reader in Conservation Ecology at Liverpool John Moores University and specialise in plant ecology and conservation.  I’ve been very involved in diversity and inclusion activities for many years, writing articles and speaking at events for early career ecologists and women in conservation and ecology.  I know from first hand experience that gender discrimination is still a reality and aim to help individuals navigate this, influence wider societal and professional change, and hopefully, be a role model for ecologists from all genders.

Rowan Kuminski (they/them) – Co-chair

I am a PhD student at University of Aberdeen studying seabird population dynamics, but outside my PhD I also work on initiatives to make ornithology and activities such as bird ringing and bird watching more inclusive. As an undergraduate student I earned my minor degree (U.S. qualification) in Women’s and Gender Studies, and since then have been involved in EDI initiatives to promote gender equality in biology/ecology. As a non-binary ecologist, I have experienced and witnessed how gender inequalities hinder the scientific community, and joined EDGE to be able to address these systemic issues in our field.

Dr Lynette Gomes (she/her) – Membership Representative

Hello! I am Dr. Lynette Gomes, a passionate conservationist with a Doctorate from the Wildlife Institute of India, where I specialize in large mammal conservation. Currently, I serve as a Project Lead with the State Government, where I have observed the urgent need for greater awareness about diversity and inclusivity. I am committed to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment in both work and research settings, aiming to promote awareness and create a space where all voices are valued and heard.

Dr Michaela Guo Ying Lo (she/her) – Policy Representative

I am a Postdoctoral researcher at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent.  My research mostly centres on Indonesia, exploring how land use decisions affect social outcomes and conservation efforts. Within the EDGE committee, I focus on raising gender related-issues and driving meaningful actions to advance equity in the ecology and environment sector.

Dr Trisha Gopalakrishna (she/her) – Policy Representative

I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Geography, University of Exeter UK. My research interests span climate change mitigation by and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems, specifically tropical rainforests and savannas. As a woman of colour in the ecological sciences, I want to create an open environment to discuss actionable steps to promote gender equality.

Bruktawit Gezahegn – Membership Representative