My postdoctoral work at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute focuses on marine conservation paleobiology. My current research explores the causes and ecological consequences of millennial-scale change in shark communities on coral reefs. Fossilized shark scales (dermal denticles) provide me with a time machine to look at what was natural for shark communities before human impacts, contextualize recent declines, and consider future management scenarios informed by historical baselines. Being based in Panama while doing this research is a real privilege. I live in an incredibly biodiverse and culturally rich place in close proximity to my study systems in both the Pacific and Caribbean.
Erin Dillon
Ph.D. Candidate
UC Santa Barbara, Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
Recipient of the Betty Elings Well Fellowship
Chancellor’s Fellow
Fun Fact: Erin was an active member of her undergraduate institution's marching band and has marched in the Rose Parade. She plays a light instrument (piccolo), and found marching for 5.5 miles pretty enjoyable.
"In many ways, graduate school felt like an intricate juggling act crossed with a marathon—timing is critical. Private fellowship support afforded me the time to finish collecting data for my dissertation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, publish my dissertation chapters, and craft job applications. This opportunity was not only instrumental to my professional growth but propelled me toward the finish line. With the invaluable support of an Elings Wells Dissertation Fellowship, I was able to secure a position as a postdoctoral scholar at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and had the flexibility to complete my PhD while building new research collaborations."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
“I enjoy running and cooking in my spare time. I ran my first half marathon last year. I also enjoy traveling (when I can!) and have visited all but one continent. I had hoped to join a field course in Africa in 2020, but COVID-19 had other plans for us.”