Accelerating Biodiversity Conservation: Enhancing the Extinction Solutions Index with Advanced Data Science

Faculty Mentors

Dr. Haipeng Chen and Dr. John Swaddle

Project Description

A W&M student will work alongside Conservation X Labs and Dr. Haipeng Chen to apply AI to collect and evaluate data on solutions that mitigate the global extinction crisis.

Combating the global extinction crisis is complex.  We know that there are extinction solutions, but we are lacking data synthesis and analyses needed to identify the most effective solutions. Collecting and synthesizing large extinction datasets is challenging.

The Extinction Solutions Index (ESI) is an initiative led by Conservation X Labs. The index is designed to evaluate, compare, and ultimately produce a ranked list of the most effective and efficient solutions to biodiversity loss. The goal of the ESI is to collect and analyze data needed to identify and evaluate solutions to mitigate extinction of species.

 A W&M student will work with Conservation X Labs and W&M’s Dr. Haipeng Chen to help automate a system for collecting and compiling datasets needed to evaluate 100 identified extinction solutions. The student will then explore how to use data to evaluate the outcome of solutions using large datasets. The student will address the following research questions:

1) How can existing AI tools be used to identify datasets needed to evaluate identified conservation solutions?

2) What is the most efficient approach to collecting and compiling data needed to evaluate solutions?

3) How can we use data to evaluate the impact of solutions on species extinction?

Addressing these questions will provide critical information needed for Conservation X Labs to engage conservation partners in contributing and using the Extinction Solutions Index to identify solutions that solve species extinction crises.

Number of Students

1

Prerequisites and Required Skills:

Pre-req: Coursework in deep learning, AI, and data science needed

Travel Required

Students will be invited to make trips to DC to meet with Conservation X Labs or to work in the office with their research interns throughout the summer.

Project ID - Format

25-009-25 - CRP Year