Sophie Gilbert

Dr. Sophie Gilbert is affiliate faculty at the University of Idaho and the Lead Scientist for Biodiversity at Vibrant Planet. Sophie works to include key forms of biodiversity, as well as other ecosystem services, into human decision-making, and to better value nature in our economy and society. For more than 15 years, Sophie has advanced the fields of ecology and conservation to support sustainable wildlife populations in the changing modern world. She’s worked across diverse systems from Alaska through Canada and into the heart of the American West, and collaborated with interdisciplinary scientists, natural resource agencies, NGOs, indigenous groups, stakeholders, and citizen scientists. She communicates broadly and innovatively via professional and public talks, social media, documentary videos and podcasts. Sophie has previously worked as a tenured professor at the University of Idaho, as well as the senior lead for biodiversity at the Natural Capital Exchange (NCX) to drive innovation in ecosystem services crediting. She earned her B.Sc. from the University of California Los Angeles and her Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and has published numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles.