About
Amber Wendler is an interdisciplinary biologist with extensive experience in project management, science communication, data analysis and visualization, and grant management. She has been conducting ecological research for over a decade studying a wide range of organisms from birds to fishes to plants across the United States, the Caribbean, and South America with the goal of advancing conservation and management efforts. As a recent National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and Global Change Fellow, Amber’s doctoral research investigated how different environments affect birds and how climate change may shape bird populations over time.
Amber's work extends beyond research into outreach, advocacy, and community engagement. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to and passion for working with communities and advancing equity, particularly in science, outdoor access, and climate and environmental action. Amber is the co-editor of Been Outside: Adventures of Black Women, Nonbinary, and Gender Nonconforming People in Nature, an award-winning book that has been featured by Outside Magazine, Forbes, REI, and more.
In her free time, Amber enjoys running, birding, backpacking, and biking.

Education
2019 - 2025
​
Virginia Tech
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences
Interfaces of Global Change Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program
2014 - 2018
​
Boston University
B.A. in Biology
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards

RESEARCH
Virginia Tech Global Change Fellowship
($41,000 | 2024-2025)​
National Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellowship Program
($138,000 | 2020-2023)​
Ralph E. Carlson Memorial Scholarship in Ornithology
($973 | 2021, 2023)
Virginia Tech Dean’s Graduate Award for Excellence
($2,000 | 2021)
American Ornithological Society Research Award
($1,000 | 2021)
BirdsCaribbean David S. Lee Award
($1,000 | 2021)
Florida Ornitological Society Robertson Fellowship Award
($750 | 2020)
Bard at Brooklyn Public Library Fellowship
($1,500 | 2020)
Virginia Tech Nutshell Games Award
($500 | 2020)
American Ornithological Society Travel Award
(Conference expenses | 2022, 2024)
Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies CARE Fellow
(Conference expenses | 2022)
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT







