University of Arizona receives NSF grant to launch innovative CAMBIUM Program in Biodiversity Informatics

Biodiversity loss, climate change, and the impacts on societal health and well-being are urgent global challenges that demand innovative solutions. The College of Science at the University of Arizona (UA) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) program to develop a new graduate training program in biodiversity informatics. The program, called Climate change Adaptation and Mitigation through Biodiversity Informatics edUcation and Mentoring (CAMBIUM), will empower students to tackle the interconnected impacts of climate change on biodiversity, health, and well-being. CAMBIUM will equip the next generation of leaders with cutting-edge skills in big data approaches and a One Health framework, providing a comprehensive foundation for addressing these complex challenges.

With over one million species currently at risk of extinction due to climate change and human activity, the CAMBIUM NRT program will serve as a hub for educating students to work across disciplines, providing them with the tools to analyze, integrate, and apply large-scale biodiversity data to develop real-world solutions. The program embraces a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health to address the cascading effects of biodiversity loss on ecosystems, food systems, and societal well-being. 

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“The world is facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change, and we need a new generation of scientists who are equipped to address these challenges,” said Dr. Michael Barker, the Principal Investigator of the grant. “CAMBIUM is the first of its kind, transcending biodiversity informatics by integrating data science, ecology, climate adaptation, and One Health to address interconnected environmental, animal, and human health challenges. It will equip students with the skills they need to be the next generation of leaders to solve complex environmental problems.”

Multidisciplinary Approach to Training Future Leaders

CAMBIUM will bring together scholars from across the University of Arizona, including the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Department of Environmental Science, and the School of Information to provide a research and training environment that allows students to grow beyond their disciplinary boundaries.

“This program is unique in that it integrates training in data science, policy, and communication,” said Dr. Barker. “Our students will be prepared to not only conduct cutting-edge research but also to communicate their findings to various audiences and to develop evidence-based policies that address challenges society faces with significant biodiversity loss.”

CAMBIUM Program Highlights:

• Learning How to Analyze and Integrate Diverse Data: Through courses and hands-on mentoring, students will learn to analyze and integrate large-scale biodiversity, economic, health, and environmental data to predict the impacts of climate change, extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and conservation efforts. 
• Develop Effective Communication Tools: Students will receive training to create tools that translate Science and complex data into accessible solutions for various audiences, including the general public, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and resource managers. 
• Interdisciplinary Learning: CAMBIUM will host workshops and interdisciplinary meetings that combine data science, biodiversity informatics, and policy training. These efforts will lead to a Graduate Certificate in Biodiversity Informatics, enhancing student qualifications in science and policy.
• Apply a One Health Approach: Through classes and real-world applications, students will develop the ability to connect data from different fields, using a One Health framework to address societal challenges. This approach will enhance communication and provide insights into the complex interplay between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.

Fostering Public Engagement and Policy Impact

CAMBIUM will also allow students to work with industry stakeholders and government partners on real-world problems. The program will focus on three critical areas: predicting the impacts of extreme climate events, identifying shifts in infectious disease risks linked to biodiversity changes, and guiding evidence-based policies through biodiversity model outputs. A new Graduate Preview Weekend will be piloted to broaden participation in graduate programs at UA.

The program’s One Health framework, which “recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, will be a cornerstone of its approach, ensuring that students are prepared to tackle the complex, multi-dimensional challenges facing ecosystems and society.” said Dr. Kacey Ernst Co-PI Investigator of CAMBIUM and professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics.

A National Leader in Biodiversity Research

Building on the University of Arizona’s reputation as a global leader in biodiversity research, education and extension, the CAMBIUM NRT program will solidify the university’s standing at the forefront of biodiversity informatics. By fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, the program will develop innovative, data-driven solutions to the intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

“We are excited to offer our students the opportunity to be at the forefront of critical research and to learn the necessary tools to make meaningful contributions to the future of society, health, and our planet,” said Dr Ernst a Co-PI of CAMBIUM and professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, “By merging cutting-edge biodiversity science with policy and public engagement, CAMBIUM is shaping the future of biodiversity conservation.”

The University of Arizona is a world leader in addressing urgent environmental and societal challenges through its expertise in biodiversity research, high-performance computing, big data analytics, advanced ecological modeling, emerging infectious diseases, water resource management, and remote sensing technologies. These multidisciplinary strengths enable students and faculty at the University of Arizona to address complex global issues at the intersection of environmental sustainability, public health, and resource management. The training grant builds on existing programs including the Bridging Biodiversity and Conservation Science Program within the Lovejoy Center. 

CAMBIUM is funded by a five-year, $3 million grant from the NSF NRT program. The grant will support two new graduate courses at UA, a graduate certificate in biodiversity informatics, and two-year fellowships for three cohorts of graduate students. Additional research and travel stipends will be available for students participating in CAMBIUM but not in the fellowship program.  

Other participants in CAMBIUM include Co-PIs Dr. Kacey Ernst (Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics), Dr. Brian Enquist (Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology), Dr. Aaron Lien (School of Natural Resources and the Environment), and Dr. Channah Rock (Department of Environmental Science).

Learn more about the University of Arizona CAMBIUM NRT program here - http://cambium.arizona.edu/

Learn more about the One Health initiative here - https://www.cdc.gov/one-health/about/index.html