Panda, Koala, Penguin
Image credit: TianAbstract
Why do we invest in protecting Pandas, Polar bears, Penguins and their habitats? Is it because they are cute and famous? Should we give the money to solve urgent issues, like poverty? In this talk, I will show you the costs and benefits behind the protection of these species.
Zhao Xiang (赵 翔)
Birder/Conservation Scientist/Software developer
I’m a birder, conservation scientist, and software developer working at the intersection of ecology and code. As a Software Developer and R Specialist at QCIF, I build and maintain the EcoCommons Platform, helping researchers run species distribution models and spatial analyses at scale. I earned my MPhil at QUT, where I applied spatial and statistical modelling to biodiversity monitoring in Antarctica. Along the way I’ve tutored GIS and environmental planning, led a panda conservation project in China, and been recognised with the BirdLife International Young Conservation Leaders Award. My work centres on turning ecological questions into reproducible, well-designed tools.