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Emma I Dietrich, PhD

Emma is a Biologist and member of the Science Communications team at the Fort Collins Science Center

Emma has long held passions for both ecological research and science communication, and is very excited to combine these interests in her position on the outreach and communications team at FORT. She started her career at the University of Rochester, where she studied the population genetics of fruit fly endosymbionts. After a short stint as a lab technician, she began her PhD at the University of Texas at Austin. While there, she studied the behavioral ecology, natural history, and microbiology of a purportedly socially polymorphic spider. She also worked as a teaching assistant in a variety of biology courses and pursued numerous opportunities for sharing science with the public. After graduating, she worked as a program coordinator for an outdoor education nonprofit in Metro Detroit, then spent six months working on a bee survey in Indiana Dunes National Park. 

Professional Experience

  • Biological Science Technician, Indiana Dunes National Park, 2022

  • Program Coordinator, Big Green, 2019-2021

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at Austin, 2012-2019

  • Junior Technician, University of California at Davis, 2012

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution & Behavior, University of Texas at Austin, 2019

  • B.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Rochester, 2011

Science and Products

Annotated bibliography of scientific research on greater sage-grouse published from October 2019 to July 2022

Integrating recent scientific knowledge into management decisions supports effective natural resource management and can lead to better resource outcomes. However, finding and accessing scientific knowledge can be time consuming and costly. To assist in this process, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) created a series of annotated bibliographies on topics of management concern for western lands. Pr
Authors
Elisabeth C. Teige, Logan M. Maxwell, Samuel E. Jordan, Tait K. Rutherford, Emma I. Dietrich, Ella M. Samuel, Alexandra L. Stoneburner, Nathan J. Kleist, Jennifer K. Meineke, Lea B. Selby, Alison C. Foster, Sarah K. Carter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Dietrich, E.I. 2019. Natural history, behavior, and bacterial microbiomes of a socially polymorphic spider, Anelosimus studiosus [Dissertation]. Austin, TX: University of Texas at Austin. 159 p.
Smith, C.C., Srygley, R.B., Dietrich, E.I. and Mueller, U.G. 2017. Partitioning the effects of mating and nuptial feeding on the microbiome in gift-giving insects. Environmental Microbiology Reports, v. 9, p. 104-112. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.12506
Kardish, M.R., Mueller, U.G., Amador-Vargas, S., Dietrich, E.I., Ma, R., Barret, B., and Fang, C. 2015. Blind trust in unblinded observation in ecology, evolution, and behavior. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, v. 3. 4 p. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2015.00051

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

link
photo of three fuchsia cactus flowers

Fostering greater use of habitat models for managing rare and invasive plants on public lands

Habitat models can provide critical information on the current and potential distribution of plant species, as well as help target and support conservation efforts. Despite their potential utility in public land management, model use may be constrained by a variety of factors including staff access to and trust in models. In this project, we seek to bring together model users and model developers...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

Fostering greater use of habitat models for managing rare and invasive plants on public lands

Habitat models can provide critical information on the current and potential distribution of plant species, as well as help target and support conservation efforts. Despite their potential utility in public land management, model use may be constrained by a variety of factors including staff access to and trust in models. In this project, we seek to bring together model users and model developers...
Learn More
link
Pygmy rabbit

Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource managers

Resource management decisions need to be informed by up-to-date, quality science and data. However there is sometimes an overwhelming number of scientific publications for managers to consider in their decisions. This project provides concise summaries of recent, peer-reviewed science and data products about different resources and topics of management concern, integrated into a searchable tool.
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource managers

Resource management decisions need to be informed by up-to-date, quality science and data. However there is sometimes an overwhelming number of scientific publications for managers to consider in their decisions. This project provides concise summaries of recent, peer-reviewed science and data products about different resources and topics of management concern, integrated into a searchable tool.
Learn More
link
Ear Mountain in the background, with herds of elk in the foreground. The sun is setting, casting an orange and blue glow over the whole scene.

Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management

Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product—structured science syntheses—for facilitating use of the science information in public lands decisions.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management

Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product—structured science syntheses—for facilitating use of the science information in public lands decisions.
Learn More
FORT scientists publish an updated annotated bibliography of greater sage-grouse research

FORT scientists publish an updated annotated bibliography of greater sage-grouse research

A recently published USGS Open-File Report compiles and summarizes 147 research products about greater sage-grouse published between 2019 and 2022. 

Read Article

Science and Products

Annotated bibliography of scientific research on greater sage-grouse published from October 2019 to July 2022

Integrating recent scientific knowledge into management decisions supports effective natural resource management and can lead to better resource outcomes. However, finding and accessing scientific knowledge can be time consuming and costly. To assist in this process, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) created a series of annotated bibliographies on topics of management concern for western lands. Pr
Authors
Elisabeth C. Teige, Logan M. Maxwell, Samuel E. Jordan, Tait K. Rutherford, Emma I. Dietrich, Ella M. Samuel, Alexandra L. Stoneburner, Nathan J. Kleist, Jennifer K. Meineke, Lea B. Selby, Alison C. Foster, Sarah K. Carter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Dietrich, E.I. 2019. Natural history, behavior, and bacterial microbiomes of a socially polymorphic spider, Anelosimus studiosus [Dissertation]. Austin, TX: University of Texas at Austin. 159 p.
Smith, C.C., Srygley, R.B., Dietrich, E.I. and Mueller, U.G. 2017. Partitioning the effects of mating and nuptial feeding on the microbiome in gift-giving insects. Environmental Microbiology Reports, v. 9, p. 104-112. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.12506
Kardish, M.R., Mueller, U.G., Amador-Vargas, S., Dietrich, E.I., Ma, R., Barret, B., and Fang, C. 2015. Blind trust in unblinded observation in ecology, evolution, and behavior. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, v. 3. 4 p. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2015.00051

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

link
photo of three fuchsia cactus flowers

Fostering greater use of habitat models for managing rare and invasive plants on public lands

Habitat models can provide critical information on the current and potential distribution of plant species, as well as help target and support conservation efforts. Despite their potential utility in public land management, model use may be constrained by a variety of factors including staff access to and trust in models. In this project, we seek to bring together model users and model developers...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

Fostering greater use of habitat models for managing rare and invasive plants on public lands

Habitat models can provide critical information on the current and potential distribution of plant species, as well as help target and support conservation efforts. Despite their potential utility in public land management, model use may be constrained by a variety of factors including staff access to and trust in models. In this project, we seek to bring together model users and model developers...
Learn More
link
Pygmy rabbit

Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource managers

Resource management decisions need to be informed by up-to-date, quality science and data. However there is sometimes an overwhelming number of scientific publications for managers to consider in their decisions. This project provides concise summaries of recent, peer-reviewed science and data products about different resources and topics of management concern, integrated into a searchable tool.
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource managers

Resource management decisions need to be informed by up-to-date, quality science and data. However there is sometimes an overwhelming number of scientific publications for managers to consider in their decisions. This project provides concise summaries of recent, peer-reviewed science and data products about different resources and topics of management concern, integrated into a searchable tool.
Learn More
link
Ear Mountain in the background, with herds of elk in the foreground. The sun is setting, casting an orange and blue glow over the whole scene.

Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management

Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product—structured science syntheses—for facilitating use of the science information in public lands decisions.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management

Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product—structured science syntheses—for facilitating use of the science information in public lands decisions.
Learn More
FORT scientists publish an updated annotated bibliography of greater sage-grouse research

FORT scientists publish an updated annotated bibliography of greater sage-grouse research

A recently published USGS Open-File Report compiles and summarizes 147 research products about greater sage-grouse published between 2019 and 2022. 

Read Article