Debora S.

Obrist
Earth2Ocean Research Group | Simon Fraser University | Department of Biological
Sciences
&
Spatial Ecology and Remote Sensing Group | University of Zurich | Department of
Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies

dobrist@sfu.ca | @deboraobrist | 0000-0002-5645-6037

Education
PhD Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Sept 2016 – Oct 2022
Department of Biological Sciences
Ecological effects of marine subsidies to temperate islands
Supervisor: Dr. John Reynolds
Date of defense: Oct 20, 2022

BSc University of Victoria, Victoria, BC April 2015

Department of Biology
BSc with Distinction, Faculty of Science Dean’s List

Research Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher (20%) – University of Zurich, Zurich Jan 2023 –
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Gabriela Schaepman-Strub
 To test hypotheses about the effects of permafrost thaw on Arctic tundra ecosystems, I will
design a field experiment that will take place at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.

Postdoctoral Researcher – Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Nov 2022 –

Tom Buell British Columbia Leadership Chair Postdoctoral Fellowship in Salmon Conservation
Supervisor: Dr. John Reynolds
 Supporting Dr. Reynolds' research program as BC Leadership Chair in salmon conservation,
this position includes research into population dynamics, ecology, and conservation of Pacific
Salmon, as well as converting research findings into policy-relevant management advice.

PhD Candidate - Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC 2016 - 2022

Supervisor: Dr. John Reynolds
 To test hypotheses about the effects of marine subsidies on island biogeography, I helped
design and run a large-scale multi-year survey of flora and fauna on 100 islands on the central
coast of BC through the Hakai Institute.
 Using the data collected in conjunction with spatial data, I performed generalized linear
mixed effects models, food web mixing models, structural equation models, and joint species
distribution models, among others, to evaluate links between marine and terrestrial habitats.
 I collaborated with colleagues to publish studies on the effects of marine subsidies on species
richness, density, community composition, food webs, and trophic interactions on islands.

Field/Data Technician - Kitasoo Fisheries Program, Klemtu, BC 2022

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  I spent 2 weeks working as a field and data technician for a team of divers conducting
abundance surveys for Giant California Sea Cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus) to
evaluate the sustainability of this fishery.

Research Assistant - Simon Fraser University, Bella Bella, BC 2018

 For 3 weeks, I conducted Pacific salmon enumeration surveys (stream walks) for a long-term
monitoring project in collaboration with the Heiltsuk Integrated Research Management
Department (HIRMD).

Laboratory Technician - Wildlife Genetics International, Nelson, BC 2015 – 2016

 I used biochemical techniques to extract and amplify DNA from biological samples, analyzed
microsatellite markers, and answered genetic questions for wildlife managers, researchers,
and breeders from around the world.

Research Assistant (2 positions) - University of Victoria, Victoria, BC 2015

(1) NSERC USRA: I used molecular techniques to identify fungi responsible for decreased
filled seed percentages in Lodgepole Pine seed orchards in the Okanagan region of BC
(2) I organized and conducted preliminary analyses on field data for a graduate student
working on rain garden vegetation research

Peer-reviewed Publications
7 Obrist, D.S., P.J. Hanly, J.C. Kennedy, O.T. Fitzpatrick, S.B. Wickham, W. Nijland, L.Y.
Reshitnyk, C.T. Darimont, B.M. Starzomski, J.D. Reynolds. Equivalent roles of marine
subsidies and island biogeography in shaping island bird communities. In review at Journal
of Biogeography (JBI-22-0170).
6 Obrist, D.S.*, O.T. Fitzpatrick*, N.E.M. Brown, P.J. Hanly, W. Nijland, L.Y. Reshitnyk, S.B.
Wickham, C.T. Darimont, J.D. Reynolds, and B.M. Starzomski. 2022. Scale-dependent
effects of marine subsidies on island biogeography of plants. Ecology and Evolution,
12:e9270 http://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9270
* joint first authors
5 Obrist, D.S., P.J. Hanly, N.E.M. Brown, C.M. Ernst, S.B. Wickham, O.T. Fitzpatrick, J.C.
Kennedy, W. Nijland, L.Y. Reshitnyk, C.T. Darimont, B.M. Starzomski, and J.D.
Reynolds. 2022. Biogeographic features mediate marine subsidies to island food webs.
Ecosphere, 13(7):e4171. http://doi.org10.1002/ecs2.4171

4 Kieran, C., D.S. Obrist, N.J. Muñoz, P.J. Hanly, and J.D. Reynolds. 2021. Links between riparian
forest productivity and quadrennial pulses of salmon abundance as revealed by remote
sensing. Ecosphere, 12(8): e03699. http://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3699

3 Muñoz, N.J.*, and D.S. Obrist*. 2020. Upholding science-based risk assessment under a weakened
Endangered Species Act. FACETS, http://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2020-0051
* joint first authors

2 Siemens, L., A.M. Dennert, D.S. Obrist, and J.D. Reynolds. 2020. Spawning salmon density
influences fruit production of salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis). Ecosphere, 11(11): e03282.
http://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3282

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 1 Obrist, D.S., P.J. Hanly, J.C. Kennedy, O.T. Fitzpatrick, S.B. Wickham, L.Y. Reshitnyk, W.
Nijland, C.T. Darimont, B.M. Starzomski and J.D. Reynolds. 2020. Marine subsidies mediate
patterns in avian island biogeography. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological
Sciences, 287:20200108. http://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.0108

Invited Peer-reviewed Publications

1 Obrist, D.S. In prep. Marine Subsidies. Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide.

Technical Reports
2 100 Islands Program. Annual Report. 2017. Prepared for the Heiltsuk Integrated Research
Management Department.
1 100 Islands Program. Annual Report. 2016. Prepared for the Heiltsuk Integrated Research
Management Department.

Honors and Awards

2022 NSERC Fisheries and Oceans Canada Aquatic Science Supplement $10,000
Ecological Society of America Opportunity Fund $600 (USD)
SFU Travel and Research Award $400
2020 NSERC CGS-D $105,000
SFU President’s PhD Fellowship (declined) $6,500
2019 SFU Graduate Fellowship $6,500
SFU Travel & Minor Research Award $500
2018 SFU Travel & Minor Research Award $250
NSERC CGS-M $17,500
2017 SFU Graduate Fellowship $6,500
SFU Travel & Minor Research Award $500
2015 NSERC-USRA $4,500
NSERC-CREATE Program in Forests and Climate Change $3,000
Lorene Kennedy Restoration of Natural Systems Diploma Award $500
2011 Jason Lang Scholarship $1,000
2010 Jason Lang Scholarship $1,000
2009 Mountain View Credit Union Scholarship $1,000
BP Canada Energy Scholarship $1,500
Hershell A. Smith Memorial Scholarship $650
Alexander Rutherford Scholarship $2,500
University of Calgary Entrance Scholarship $1,500

Tota $171, 400

l
Teaching & Mentorship Experience
Supervisor - Simon Fraser University
2022 Supervised a directed studies student investigating effects of wildfire burn severity on
rates of vegetation regrowth in different ecosystems in British Columbia. Publication in
prep.
2020 Co-supervised a directed studies student project to determine whether salmon densities
affect forest greenness on the Adams River, British Columbia. Resulted in publication:
Kieran et al. 2021.

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 2019 Co-supervised an Honour’s student project about how Pacific salmon affect fitness of
salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis). Resulted in publication: Siemens et al. 2020.
Sessional instructor - Simon Fraser University
2021 Lab instructor for BISC360W: Methods in Ecology and Evolution
 Responsible course content, lab presentations, and assignments for 50 3 rd/4th year
Biology students, oversaw 2 teaching assistants

Teaching assistant, Simon Fraser University

2020 BISC316: Vertebrate Biology
2019 TFC2019: Terrestrial and Freshwater Conservation at Bamfield Marine Science Centre,
Bamfield, BC
BISC360W: Methods in Ecology and Evolution
2017 BISC204: Introduction to Ecology
BISC100: Introduction to Biology

Course developer, Bamfield Marine Science Centre

2022 CBC2022: Coastal Biodiversity and Conservation
 Hired to develop course content, plan fieldwork, and design a schedule

Invited Seminars
2021 Introduction to citizen science. BISC360W: Methods in Ecology and Evolution Guest
Lecture (120 min), Virtual. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC. Nov 2, 2021.
2020 Islands fed by the sea: how marine-derived nutrients affect terrestrial ecology. Les
Ecologistes Seminar Series. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC. Mar 12, 2020.
Why you should use citizen science. Pacific Ecology and Evolution Conference:
Conference Workshop. Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC. Feb 21-23, 2020.

2019 Island biogeography & nutrient subsidies. BISC204: Introduction to Ecology Guest
Lecture (50 min). Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC. Nov 12, 2019.
2017 Island biogeography & nutrient subsidies. BISC204: Introduction to Ecology Guest
Lecture (50 min). Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC. Oct 31, 2017.

Conference Presentations
2022 Marine subsidies and island biogeography are equally important in shaping temperate
island bird communities. Ecological Society of America (ESA) and Canadian Society of
Ecology and Evolution (CSEE) Joint Annual Meeting, Montreal, QC, Aug 14-19, 2022.
2021 Marine-derived nutrients enrich temperate island food webs. Canadian Society of Ecology
and Evolution (CSEE) Annual Meeting, Virtual conference, May 15-20, 2021.
Marine-derived nutrients enrich organisms on islands. Inter-Departmental Ecology of
Aquatic Systems (IDEAS) Symposium, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Jan 29,
2021. Runner-up for Best Presentation.
2019 Marine subsidies drive patterns in avian island biogeography. Western Society of
Naturalists Annual Meeting, Ensenada, Mexico. Nov 2, 2019.
Why are some bird species found on certain islands but not on others? Inter-Departmental
Ecology of Aquatic Systems (IDEAS) Symposium, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC.

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 January 26, 2019
2018 Effects of nutrients on avian island biogeography. International Ornithological Congress,
Vancouver, BC. Aug 24, 2018.
Islands fed by the sea. UVic Ideafest - ideas that can change everything. University of
Victoria, Saanich, BC. Mar 5, 2018.
From wave to wing: nutrients from the sea affect avian island biogeography. Pacific
Ecology and Evolution Conference. Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC. Feb
24, 2018.
From wave to wing: effects of marine nutrient subsidies on avian island biogeography.
Inter-Departmental Ecology of Aquatic Systems (IDEAS) Symposium, Simon Fraser
University, Burnaby, BC. January 27, 2018.
2017 From wave to wing: how nutrients from the sea impact bird ecology on islands. Ecological
Society of America Annual Meeting. Portland, Oregon. Aug 6-11, 2017.

Songbirds & subsidies: how nutrients from the sea impact birds on islands. Pacific
Ecology and Evolution Conference. Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Bamfield, BC. Feb
25, 2017.
Songbirds & subsidies: effects of marine-derived nutrients on avian island biogeography.
Inter-Departmental Ecology of Aquatic Systems (IDEAS) Symposium. Simon Fraser
University, Burnaby, BC. Jan 28, 2017. (Runner-up for Best Presentation)

Conservation & Engagement

2018 Open letter to Premier John Horgan on Environmental Assessment reform
Letter organizer and signatory
 Resulted in 4 amendments to legislation
 Obtained ~200 signatories
 It was reported in the Globe and Mail, Pique Magazine, The Narwhal, CTV
News, and in the Times Colonist

Volunteer & Outreach

2022 Birds of Wuikinuxv - Field trip volunteer
 Created a brochure on local bird species for students at local elementary school
2019 - Pacific Ecology and Evolution Conference - Organizing Committee
2020  Community liaison, Citizen science workshop leader
2019 BC Nature Annual General Meeting - Field Trip Co-Leader
 Introduced community members to local fauna and flora
Wild Pacific Trail Society BioBlitz - Invited BioBlitz Leader
 Introduced community members to local wildlife, documented ~200 sp.
2018 T’aaq-wiihak Fisheries Society (now Ha’oom), Tofino, BC – Research Assistant
 Helped collect and weigh thousands of gooseneck barnacles (Pollicipes
polymerus) for a project assessing post-harvest recovery.
2018 Bella Bella Community School - Workshop Leader
 Led a biodiversity and citizen science workshop for grade 10 and 11 students
2016 - Inter-Departmental Ecology of Aquatic Systems Symposium (IDEAS) - Organizing
2021 Committee

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 2016 Bella Bella Community School - Workshop Leader
 Led an “In the field with a scientist” workshop for grade 8 students
2015 - WildResearch - Nightjar Survey Volunteer
2016  Conducted nightjar surveys, analyzed and recorded ARU data
2015 SPCA Wild Animal Rescue Centre - Animal Care Volunteer
 Fed animals, cleaned enclosures, monitored behaviours
2014 - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Dune Restoration Volunteer
2015  Removed invasive dune plants, replanted IUCN red-listed species

Journals Refereed
 Marine Ecology Progress Series
 Ecology and Evolution
 Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
 Marine Biology

Media Coverage
5. Salmon greening visible from space. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Oct 1, 2021.
By Lesley Evans Ogden.
4. Ontario adds 15 plants and animals to species-at-risk list. National Observer. May 21, 2021.
By Emma McIntosh.
3. Fish food: snacking on BC’s salmon berries? Thank the salmon. Outdoor Canada. Jan/Feb
2021 Issue. Lesley Evans Ogden.
2. Thriving together: Salmon, Berries, and People. Hakai Magazine. April 27, 2021. By
‘Cúagilákv (Jess Housty)
1. The Productive Power of Poop. Hakai Magazine. May 15, 2020. By Jess Mackie.

Other Skills & Certificates

 Proficiency in data manipulation and statistical analyses in R statistical software
 Experience identifying British Columbia birds by sight and sound
 Experience identifying plants of British Columbia and Alberta
 Some experience with QGIS and Google Earth Engine
 Diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems (University of Victoria, 2015)
 Pleasure Craft Operators Card
 Wilderness First Aid (50 hour)
 Fluent in English and German