Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Biology, Simon Fraser University, Canada, 2013
- Certified Essential Oil Therapist (RA, EOT) West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy, Canada, 2009
- Master of Science (MSc) Conservation, Oxford Brookes University, UK, 2006
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) [cum laude] Biology, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, USA, 2004
- Associate of Arts (AA) Liberal studies, Crafton Hills College, USA, 2002
Core areas of experience:
Research (in-situ and ex-situ), biology, chemical ecology, ecology, conservation, sustainability, botany, ethnobotany, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, ethology, semiochemicals, essential oils, carrier oils, DNA extraction, genetic analysis, statistical analyses, curriculum development, and adult education.
Professional/Employment Experience
Founder and Executive Director (2017 – ) Airmid Institute
- Conducts population assessments of medicinal and aromatic plants
- Designs and implements projects to support the conservation and the sustainable management and harvesting of threatened and near-threatened medical and aromatic plants
- Knowledge sharing of medicinal and aromatic plants among plant-medicine healers worldwide
- Ethical sourcing of medicinal and aromatic plants
- Promotion and protection of traditional uses of medicine in Indigenous communities
- Training and education on ethical sourcing and sustainable harvesting
Instructor and Consultant (2014 – )
- Teaches faculty, students, and the general public about chemical ecology, olfactory communication, semiochemicals, botany, sustainability, and aromatherapy
- Creates and implements workshops on the sustainable harvest of plants, phytochemistry, and research design and methodology
- Publishes reports on topics relevant to biology, ecology, sustainability, conservation, and medicinal and aromatic plants
- Consults on sustainable management techniques in both rural and urban settings
- Consults on the sustainable and safe uses of essential oils for product development
- Consults on, and conducts statistical analyses
Senior Research Analyst (2015 – 2017) Vancouver Community College, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Extracted, manipulated, and analyzed complex data from external and internal databases
- Aided with research design, execution, and statistical analyses
- Compiled and generated a variety of reports incorporating research techniques using primary and secondary resources
- Trained staff and faculty on research methodology and introductory statistics
- Wrote and summarized reports for the Canadian Ministry and peer-reviewed publication
- Managed multiple complex projects and executed survey projects
- Supported budget and enrolment planning
- Special Advisor for re-accreditation programs
- Research committee – grant review
Graduate Research Assistant
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada (2006 –2012)
- University of Ruhr, Bochum, Germany (2005 –2006)
- Oxford Brookes University, Headington, Oxford, UK (2005)
- Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA, USA (2003)
- Developed inter-disciplinary research proposals, experimental designs, methodology, and cost requirements for research projects
- Worked independently to collect, coordinate, and analyze a variety of ex-situ and in-situ data sets (quantitative and qualitative)
- Collaborated with colleagues, universities, government and non-government organizations in the planning and design of research projects
- Completed and reviewed grant applications
- Educated and mentored research assistants and graduate students
- Trained researchers on research techniques, created ethograms for their use, monitored their progress, and prepared them with strategies to take on tasks independently
- Analytical chemistry: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Performed DNA extraction, DNA paternity analysis, and paternity assignment
- Prepared and examined specimens using photomicrographic imaging and environmental scanning electron microscopy

Research Experience
In-situ
- Endangered rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) cultivation (2019) central Peru
- Data collection for genetic analysis and population density of muna (Minthostachys spp.) (2019) southern Peru
- Endangered rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) expedition (2017) central Peru
- Medicinal and aromatic plants and their use in traditional medicine (2015) northern, central, and southern Peru
- Natural history expedition (2005) Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Amphibian vocalizations, feeding guilds of birds, habitat comparison and ant hierarchies (2004) Central Valley, Costa Rica
- Sea turtle migration, feeding guilds of birds and ants, mammal density, and vegetation sampling (2003) Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico
- Small rodent distribution and vegetation sampling (2002 – 2003) San Dimas Experimental Forest, CA, USA
Ex-situ
- Adulteration of rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) essential oil (2021 – ) Airmid Institute and Laboratoire PhytoChemia
- Local mate competition, and mechanisms, functions, and fitness consequences of courtship and mating behavior in the parasitoid wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) (2006–2012) Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada
- Alkaloid presence in the slow loris Nycticebus javanicus (2011) British Broadcasting Company (BBC) documentary; Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI): Bandung, Indonesia
- Social and solitary behavior of the Northern Ceylon slender loris and the red slender loris as a result of visual, auditory, and odor enrichment (2004 – 2005) University of Ruhr, Bochum, Germany
- Effects of enrichment on a captive population of orangutans (2003 – 2004) Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Effects of enrichment on captive animals (2003) Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Speaker/Lecturer Experience
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants used in Peruvian Indigenous Communities (November 2022). Canadian Herb Conference
- Threatened and Near Threatened Medicinal and Aromatic Plants used in Aromatic Herbalism, Aromatherapy and Perfumery (November 2022). Canadian Herb Conference
- Chemical communication: How aromatic plants and animals talk to each other (June 2022). Alliance of International Aromatherapists
- Healing threatened essential oil-bearing plants: sustainability theory and practice for the professional aromatherapist (March 2022). International Centre of Advanced Aromatherapy – South Korea.
- Healing threatened essential oil-bearing plants: sustainable practices for the clinical aromatherapist (September 2021). International Clinical Aromatherapy Network
- Aromatic resins: threats and therapeutics (June 2021). 15th International Herb Symposium
- Essential oil-bearing plants: preserving an aromatic future (June 2021). AROMATICA
- Plant conservation genetics (June 2021). National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Plants in peril: essential oils and climate change (September 2020). Botanica2020
- The salvation of salvia (August 2020). National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
- Exploring analogs for essential oils from threatened plants (February 2020). Alliance of International Aromatherapists, Pacific Regional Meeting
- Sustainability of rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) (November 2019). Organization of Nature Evolutionaries [O.N.E.]
- Conversation about conservation (September 2019). Alliance of International Aromatherapists, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Protecting and healing essential oil-bearing plants (August 2019). NE Women’s Herbal Conference Hebron, NH, USA
- Healing with Peruvian medicinal and aromatic plants (August 2019). NE Women’s Herbal Conference Hebron, NH, USA
- Essential oils of parsley, sage, rosemary, and sage (August 2019). NE Women’s Herbal Conference Hebron, NH, USA
- Peruvian rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora): conservation consciousness, cultivation, and education (June 2019). Planting the Future, Williams, OR, USA
- Sandalwood (Santalum spp): history, biology, species, benefits, and conservation (May 2019). Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies
- Peruvian rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora): its threats, therapeutic uses, spiritual qualities, and protectors (March 2019). NAHA Webinar
- Essential and carrier oil-bearing plants: conservation consciousness (October, 2018). Korean Association of Essential Oils, Aroma & Spa, Seoul, Korea
- Protecting endangered plant species (July, 2018). Regent’s University, London, UK
- Conservation of essential oil-bearing plants (June, 2018). Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- The use of traditional medicine throughout Peru (August, 2017). Alliance of International Aromatherapists, Rutgers University, NJ, USA
- The language of fragrance in pollination (June, 2016). Chino, CA,USA
- Medicinal and aromatic plants: applications, benefits, conservation and chemistry (January, 2017). Wild Seed School of Herbal Studies, Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada
- Conservation statuses and sustainability of medicinal and aromatic plants (August & September, 2016). Webinar
- Aromatic plant medicine for the visually impaired (July, 2016). Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Juicing with medicinal and aromatic plants (July, 2016). Vancouver Community College, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Aromatherapy as a form of traditional medicine in Peru (June, 2016). Alliance of International Aromatherapists, International teleconference
- Aromatic Plant Medicine in Peruvian Culture (June, 2016). Surrey, BC, Canada
- Dr. Kelly Ablard’s Peruvian adventures (May, 2016). Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies, Langley, BC, Canada
- Order through odour (May, 2016). Cafe Du Soleil, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Wild aromas and food collection workshop [Co-facilitator: Camille Flanjak] (April, 2016). Squamish, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Artistic expression in response to chemical ecology and essential Oils (March, 2016). Science World, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Chemical ecology and essential Oils (2015). Science World, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Reiki and remedies (August, 2015). Vancouver Community College Urban Apothecary Garden, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Tai chi and chai tea (August, 2015). Vancouver Community College Urban Apothecary Garden, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Chemical communication across species (April, 2013). Keynote presentation for the British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapy (BCAOA), Annual Meeting, Delta, BC, Canada
- Functions and fitness consequences of pheromone-tagging, and pre-and post- copulatory rituals of the parasitoid wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) (July, 2011). International Society of Chemical Ecology 27th Annual Meeting, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- The mechanisms and functions of pre- and post-copulatory rituals of the parasitoid wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae (July, 2010). Entomological Society of British Columbia and Entomological Society of Canada Joint Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Evidence for specimen-specific mate marking pheromone in the parasitoid wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) (September, 2008). Universityof Edinburgh, School of Evolutionary Biology, Scotland, UK
- Naturalizing the captive environment of slender lorises (Loris tardigradus and L. lydekkerianusspp.) via olfactory enrichment (August, 2008).International Primatological Society Congress: University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- The slender loris (Loris tardigradus and L. lydekkerianus spp.) (May, 2008). Orangutan Awareness Society: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Evidence for specimen-specific mate marking pheromone in the parasitoid wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) (July, 2007). Entomological Society of British Columbia: Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, BC Canada; Entomological Society of Canada: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Orangutans’ manufacturing and use of tools with long-term enrichment compared to short-term enrichment (August, 2005). 1] Chester University, Chester, UK. (August, 2003). 2] University of Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; 3] McNair Annual Symposium, Pomona, CA, USA; 4] California State Long Beach College, Long Beach, CA, USA
Publications
Peer-reviewed articles
- Ablard, K.M. (in progress). Conservation genetics: protecting medicinal and aromatic plants with advanced technology. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy.
- Ablard, K.M.and Rhind, J.P. (2022). Mopane (Colophospermum mopane J. Kirk ex Benth.): essential oil profile and sustainable management in Namibia. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy. Vol 11 (2).
- Johnson, S., and Ablard, K.M. (2020). Frankincense: tapping into sustainability. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy. Vol 9 (3).
- Ablard, K (2020). Aromatic medicinal plants: cultivating conservation consciousness. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy. Vol 9 (2b).
- Ablard, K.M. (2020). Airmid Institute: protecting aromatic medicinal plants for future generations. International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy. Vol 14 (1&2).
- Ablard, K.M. (2018). Putting Consciousness Back into Conservation of Aromatic Plant Medicine. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy. Vol 7 (2).
- Ablard, K.M. (2018). An Overview of Mintostachys South America’s mint. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy. Vol 6 (4).
- Ablard, K.M. (2016). Exploring Aromatherapy as a Form of Traditional Aromatic Plant Medicine in Peru. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy. Vol 5(1).
- Ablard, K.M., Simonetto, K., Weir, K., Crespi, B.J., Schaefer, P.W., and Gries, G. (2014). First-male sperm precedence and pre- and post-copulatory rituals in the parasitoid wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). The Canadian Entomologist available on CJO2014. doi:10.4039/tce.2014.7.
- Ablard, K.M., Schaefer, P.W., and Gries, G. (2013). An alternative reproductive tactic: a parasitoid wasp gathers and guards a harem by pheromone-tagging virgins; Behavioural Processes 94, pp.32-40.
- Ablard, K.M., Gries, R., Khaskin, G., Schaefer, P.W., and Gries, G. (2012). Does the stereochemistry of methylated cuticular hydrocarbons contribute to mate recognition in the solitary egg parasitoid wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae? Journal of Chemical Ecology DOI 10.1007/s10886-012-0189-4.
- Ablard, K.M., Fairhurst, S., Andersen, G., Schaefer, P.W., and Gries, G. (2011). Mechanisms, functions, and fitness consequences of the pre- and post- copulatory rituals of the parasitoid wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 149 (2), pp.103-111.
- Somjee, U., Ablard, K.M., Crespi, J., Schaefer, P.W., and Gries, G. (2011). Local mate competition in the solitary wasp Ooencyrtus kuvanae. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 65 (5), pp.1071-1077.
Book
- Ablard, K.M. (in progress).
Book chapter
- Nekaris, KAI, Pimley, , and Ablard, K.M. (2007). Predator Defense by Slender Lorises and Pottos. Primate Anti-predator Strategies. Springer, New York, NY: pp.222-240.
Non Peer-reviewed Articles
- Ablard, K.M. and Rhind, J.P. (in progress). Omumbiri (Commiphora wildii Merxm.): essential oil profile and sustainable management in Namibia. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy.
- Ablard, K.M. (2021). Sandalwood: conservation and custodians. In Essence.
- Ablard, K.M. (2021). Climate change: will aromatherapy weather the storm. Aromatika. Autumn issue.
- Ablard, K.M. (2020). Future of aromatherapy education: protecting threatened plants. Future of Aromatherapy Professional Compendium – NAHA
- Ablard, K.M. (2020). White sage: a sustainable vision quest. Aromatika. Vol 7 (3.1).
- Ablard, K.M. (Fall 2019). Atlas cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) essential oil: exploring alternatives. In Essence.
- Ablard, K.M. (2019). Palo santo: the importance of botanical names. Archived.
- Ablard, K.M. (2019). Rosewood (Aniba rosaedora): time to take heart; South African Association of Aromatherapy Journal
- Ablard, K.M. (2018). Atlas cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) essentialoil: Exploring Alternatives; Aromatika. Autumn issue.
- Ablard, K.M. (2018). Essential and carrier-oil bearing plants: conservation consciousness; Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation, Spring issue
- Ablard, K.M. (2018). Sustainable sandalwood in Australia; In Essence 16 (2).
- Ablard, K.M. (2017). Conservation of essential oil- and carrier oil-bearing plants; In Essence 16 (1).
- Ablard, K.M. (2017). Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) essential oil: Exploring Alternatives.kellyablard.com
- Ablard, K.M. (2017). Rosewood (Aniba rosaedora); Time to take heart. kellyablard.com
- Ablard, K.M. (2017). Threatened East Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) thrives. kellyablard.com
- Ablard, K.M. (2016). The conservation of essential oil- and carrier oil-bearing plants.kellyablard.com
- Ablard, K.M., Carson, C., and Tisserand, R. (2015). Cinnamon survey: special report. The Tisserand Institute.http://tisserandinstitute.org/cinnamon-oil-survey- special-report/
- Ablard, K.M. Essential oils of citrus prevent infection in plants and animals (2015). Tisserand Institute Newsletter.http://bit.ly/1BEOcH6
- Ablard, K.M. Behaviour of the northern ceylon slender loris (Loris tardigradus nordicus) and the red slender loris (Loris tardigradus tardigradus) as a result of olfactory, visual, and auditory enrichment (2006). Canopy, Vol 4 (2).
- Ablard, K.M. Behaviour of the northern ceylon slender loris (Loris tardigradus nordicus) and the red slender loris (Loris tardigradus tardigradus) as a result of olfactory, visual, and auditory enrichment (2005). Canopy, Vol 4 (1).
Volunteer Work
- Community Scientist, Science World, Vancouver, BC Canada (2012 – present)
- Director, United Plant Savers (2018-2021)
- Co-Chair, International Committee on Sustainability of Aromatic Plants and Essential Oils Used in Aromatherapy and Natural Perfumery (SEOS) (2019 – 2020)
- Board Member, British Columbia Association of Practicing Aromatherapists (2010 – 2018)
- Advisory Board, Tisserand Institute (2014 – 2017)
- Founder/Coordinator, Vancouver Community College Urban Apothecary Learning Garden (2014 – 2016)
Awards/Grants/Honors
- Achievement of Excellence Award (2016) British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapists
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) sponsored member award (2011-2013)
- President’s PhD Research Stipend Award (2011) Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada
- Graduate Fellowship Award (2006 – 2008) Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada
- Travel Scholarship (2007) Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada
- Research Grant, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) (2006 -2012)
- Research Grant, Twycross Zoo Animal Behavior Research Grant (2005) Twycross Zoo, Warwickshire, UK
- Research Grant, Association of British Wild Animal Keepers (2004) ChesterZoo, Chester, UK
- Cum laude (2004) California State Polytechnic University Pomona, CA,USA
- Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Program Scholar (2002-present)
Media
- Interview by Pamela Ruiz in Lima, Peru (March 2022). Importance of Toucan Project and Airmid’s work with Shipibo and Quechua communities in central and southern Peru
- Interviewed by Rhiannon Lewis (September 2021) International Clinical Aromatherapy Network
- Essential Oil Sustainability (October 2021) Aromatic Chat podcast
- Aromatherapy and Conservation (Sept. 2021) International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (Insta Live)
- Conservation and the Aromatherapy Industry (May 2021) NAHA podcast
- Sustainability of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Mar. 2021) An Aromatic Life podcast with Frauke Galia
- Interviewed by Maria Aparecida Das Neves (Oct. 2020) Maria’s Aromatic Cafe (Brazil)
- Interviewed by Ana Sullivan (Sept. 2020) Conversaciones Aromaticas (Mexico)
- Aromatic Plant Sustainability (Jan. 2020) Aromatic Plant Wisdom podcast
- Aromatic Plant Sustainability: Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) (Jan. 2019) LabAroma podcast
- Preservation of Threatened Essential Oil-Bearing Plants (Dec. 2018) Beyond the Essential Oil Recipe Summit
- Conservation of Threatened Aromatic Medicinal Plants (Oct. 2018) Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Summit hosted by David Crow
- Uncommon Scents (Aug. 2017) Interview regarding endangered rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora)
- Conservation and Sustainability of Aromatic plants, and Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) (Mar. 2017) Interview, KBeach radio, Long Beach, CA
- Curiosity Collider Gala Reception: Meet the Artists – Science Collides (Sept, 2016) http://bit.ly/2dyBaFp
- Smiling Joe Productions (June 2016) Documentary series on unique gardens featuring Dr. Ablard, founder of the Vancouver Community College Urban Apothecary Learning Garden
- Canadian Geographic magazine (April, 2013) “Cameras Record Wasps’ Mating Habits” by Tamara Tachichi
- Science Daily (Jan. 8th 2013) “Females Tagged in Wasp Dating Game”
- British Broadcasting Company (Nov. 2012) Mysteries of Slow Loris Toxin
- Interview by Robert Tisserand (Dec. 16th 2011) “Essential Oils & Chemical Ecology”
Additional Skills
- SPSS (PASW) software
- NVivo
- ArcGIS
- WordPress
Current Affiliations
Community Scientist Initiative Program, Science World; American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) Community; Society for Conservation GIS – ESRI; Alliance of International Aromatherapists; British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapy; National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy; United Plant Savers; International Society of Chemical Ecology; Organization of Nature Evolutionaries; Académie des Naturopathes et Naturothérapeutes du Canada Inc.; The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists; International Clinical Aromatherapy Network