I am interested in better understanding the socio-ecological dynamics of ecosystems to promote biodiversity conservation. My research draws on community and behavioral ecology and applies data science tools to understand the roles that humans play in ecological systems, and how humans interact with other species in shared spaces.

I grew up in suburban New York and attended Columbia University as an undergraduate. I have since fully embraced the West Coast lifestyle, completing my PhD in the interdisciplinary Environmental Science, Policy, and Management program and Brashares Lab at the University of California - Berkeley. I am currently a Schmidt Science Fellow and postdoctoral researcher at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.  

​When I'm not coding at my desk, you may find me in the field in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique or the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center, California, at home baking vegan treats, or playing outside and riding my bike. I'm proudly one of over #500queerscientists and excited to promote justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.

E-mail: gaynor (at) nceas.ucsb.edu
Twitter: @kaitlyngaynor
​she/her/hers

Mailing Address: 
735 State Street, Suite 300
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-5509