• 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

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.

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

1. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada (2006 –2012)
2. University of Ruhr, Bochum, Germany (2005 –2006)
3. Oxford Brookes University, Headington, Oxford, UK (2005)
4. 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

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

• 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

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. (in progress). Mopane (Colophospermum mopane J. Kirk ex Benth.): essential oil profile and sustainable management in Namibia. International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy.
• 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 question. 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).

• 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)

• 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)

• 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”

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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