Experts

Timothy J. Killeen, Ph.D. is a conservation biologist whose research interests have evolved over the course of his career, starting with the taxonomy and ecology of grasses, to later focus on dendrology, plant community ecology, and biodiversity patterns at local and regional scales. His collaboration with colleagues from North American and European universities has advanced the understanding of forest dynamics and paleoecology of Amazonian and Andean ecosystems.

Efforts to map biodiversity led to an interest in remote sensing and geographical information systems, which eventually included an on-going effort to document the impact of habitat conversion and climate change on biodiversity.

In addition to his research, Dr. Killeen has engaged both the private and public sectors by participating in environmental evaluations of large infrastructure projects that include gold mines, gas pipelines, and transcontinental highways. These experiences stimulated his interest in understanding the underlying causes of deforestation, particularly the economic and social drivers of change on the agricultural frontier.

His conservation efforts in Bolivia have included advising on the design of the national protected area system, fostering community based ecotourism, and training students in botany, ecology and geography. He serves on the Board of the Chiquitano Forest Conservation Foundation and the Bolivian Institute for Forest Research, while acting as a Scientific Advisor at the Noel Kempff Mercado Natural History Museum.

His dedication and accomplishments were recognized in 1999 when he received the Biodiversity Leadership Award from The Bay and Paul Foundations. He is currently a Senior Research Scientist with the Center for Applied Biodiversity Research (CABS) at Conservation International. He lives in Santa Cruz, Bolivia with his two children Erin and Peter.