Camille Parmesan
Professor
Camille Parmesan received her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by a post-doctoral fellow at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in Santa Barbara, California. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Integrative Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. Her early research focused on the ecology, evolution and behaviors of butterfly/plant interactions. The rich history of work on the sensitivity of butterflies to climate and climate extremes led naturally to her work on the responses of butterflies to 20th century climate change, which eventually expanded to study of responses of natural systems in general. The intensification of global warming as an international issue led her into the interface of policy and science. She has also been active in climate change programs for international Conservation organizations, such as her role as Chair of an IUCN Task force on climate change, and on the Science Advisory Board of the Nature Conservancy. She authored multiple aspects of the Third Assessment Report of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, United Nations). Her work has been highlighted in many scientific and popular press reports, such as in Science, Science News, New York Times, London Times, National Public Radio, the BBC film series "State of the Planet" with David Attenborough, National Geographic articles and films and most recently on ABC Nightline News.