Dr. Aashna Sharma
I am a freshwater ecologist passionate about wildlife conservation amidst the challenges of climate change and biological invasions. My primary focus lies in species conservation, which has driven me into extensive field surveys taking one off the network connectivity for days and often, months. My doctoral research journey involved field work in the high-elevation Himalayan hinterlands, where I delved into investigating the invasion pressures affecting the iconic snow trout under the unprecedented climate change.
Presently, I am honored to be one of the three Fulbright-Kalam Climate Postdoctoral Scholars from India, conducting groundbreaking research in the U.S. My project, based at the University of Washington's School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, mentored by Julian Olden and co-mentored by Lise Comte, revolves around pan-Indian riverscape conservation. I am exploring how climate and land-use changes synergistically affect freshwater megafauna of India, and the excitement of this work is already tangible.
In the perennial debate of mountain person versus sea person, I proudly align myself with the former. Beyond the scientific realm, I have recently discovered that I love cooking :). I find solace in channeling my creativity into poetry and prose, with a recent penchant for science fiction. Well, stay tuned for some captivating science fiction pieces later this year!