Kristen Peach
About Kristen Peach
Kristen Peach is a Biological Data Scientist currently employed at NASA GeneLab since 2021. She has extensive experience in ecological analysis, invasive species research, and pollination biology, with previous roles at institutions such as the California NanoSystems Institute and UC Santa Barbara.
Work at NASA GeneLab
Kristen Peach has been serving as a Biological Data Scientist at NASA GeneLab since 2021. In this role, she contributes to the analysis and interpretation of biological data related to space missions. Her work supports NASA's objectives in understanding the effects of space environments on biological systems.
Education and Expertise
Kristen Peach holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from UC Santa Barbara, which she completed between 2017 and 2020. She also earned a Master's degree from UC Santa Barbara from 2013 to 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont from 2008 to 2011. Additionally, she studied Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology at Columbia University in 2011. Her academic background provides her with a strong foundation in biological sciences, particularly in areas such as visual ecology, pollination biology, and invasive species.
Professional Experience
Before joining NASA GeneLab, Kristen Peach worked at several institutions. She was a Research Scientist at the California NanoSystems Institute from 2018 to 2019 and served as a Data Science Fellow at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis since 2020. Her previous roles include Lead Researcher and Co-Inventor as an Independent Consultant, and various teaching and research positions at UC Santa Barbara. She also has experience as a Biological Science Technician at the USDA Agricultural Research Service and as a Researcher for the National Science Foundation.
Research Focus and Skills
Kristen Peach specializes in pollination biology, studying the interactions between plants and their pollinators. She has a deep understanding of invasive and exotic species and their impacts on native ecosystems and biodiversity. Her expertise extends to visual ecology and image analysis, which involves understanding how organisms perceive visual information. Additionally, she possesses strong skills in modeling and statistics, essential for analyzing complex biological data, and has experience in horticulture.
Teaching and Mentorship
Throughout her career, Kristen Peach has engaged in teaching and mentorship roles. She worked as a Teaching Associate for Plant Biology and Biodiversity at UC Santa Barbara in 2018 and served as a Teaching Assistant at the same institution from 2013 to 2018. Her experience in academia highlights her commitment to educating others in the field of biological sciences.