Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Biology, Simon Fraser University, Canada, 2013
- Certified Essential Oil Therapist, 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
Core areas of experience:
Research (in-situ and ex-situ), biology, botany, chemical and behavior ecology, conservation, sustainability, IUCN Red List assessment, ethnobotany, aromatherapy, conservation aromatherapy™, evolutionary biology, DNA extraction and analysis, statistical analyses, curriculum development, academic instruction, and professional writing.
Professional/Employment Experience
- Co-owner (2019 – present) Essence of Thyme College of Holistic Studies, Canada
- Founder and Chief Executive Director (2017 – ) Airmid Institute, USA
- Consultant (2014 – ) Global
- Senior Research Analyst (2015 – 2017) Vancouver Community College, Canada
- Graduate Research Assistant (2006 – 2012) Simon Fraser University, Canada
- Graduate Research Assistant (2005 – 2006) University of Ruhr, Germany
- Graduate Research Assistant (2005) Oxford Brookes University, UK
- Graduate Research Assistant (2003) Los Angeles Zoo, USA

Research Experience
In-situ
- Endangered rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) cultivation (2019) Peru
- Data collection for genetic analysis and population density of muna (Minthostachys spp.) (2019) Peru
- Endangered rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) expedition (2017) Peru
- Medicinal and aromatic plants and their use in traditional medicine (2015) Peru
- Natural history expedition (2005) Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Amphibian vocalizations, feeding guilds of birds, habitat comparison and ant hierarchies (2004) Costa Rica
- Sea turtle migration, feeding guilds of birds and ants, mammal density, and vegetation sampling (2003) Bahia de Los Angeles, Mexico
- Small rodent distribution and vegetation sampling (2002 – 2003) San Dimas Experimental Forest, USA
Ex-situ
- Highly Traded Threatened Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) Used in Clinical and Pharmaceutical Evidence-Based Research: An Integrative Review (2023 – )
- Adulteration of rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) essential oil (2021 – )
- 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, Canada
- Alkaloid presence in the slow loris Nycticebus javanicus (2011) British Broadcasting Company (BBC) documentary; Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI), 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, Germany
- Effects of enrichment on a captive population of orangutans (2003 – 2004) Los Angeles Zoo, USA
- Effects of enrichment on captive animals (2003) Los Angeles Zoo, USA
Speaker/Lecturer Experience
- Sustainability workshop (2023) Canadian Alliance of Aromatherapy, Canada
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants used in Peruvian Indigenous Communities (2022) Canadian Herb Conference, Canada
- Threatened and Near Threatened Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Animals used in Aromatic Herbalism, Aromatherapy and Perfumery (2022) Canadian Herb Conference, Canada
- Chemical communication: How aromatic plants and animals talk to each other (2022) Alliance of International Aromatherapists, USA
- Healing threatened essential oil-bearing plants: sustainability theory and practice for the professional aromatherapist (2022) International Centre of Advanced Aromatherapy, South Korea
- Healing threatened essential oil-bearing plants: sustainable practices for the clinical aromatherapist (2021) International Clinical Aromatherapy Network, France
- Aromatic resins: threats and therapeutics (2021) 15th International Herb Symposium, USA
- Essential oil-bearing plants: preserving an aromatic future (2021) AROMATICA, Spain
- Plant conservation genetics (2021) National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, USA
- Plants in peril: essential oils and climate change (2020) Botanica2020
- The salvation of salvia (2020) National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, USA
- Exploring analogs for essential oils from threatened plants (2020) Alliance of International Aromatherapists, Pacific Regional Meeting, USA
- Sustainability of rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) (2019) Organization of Nature Evolutionaries [O.N.E.], USA
- Conversation about conservation (2019) Alliance of International Aromatherapists, USA
- Protecting and healing essential oil-bearing plants (2019) New England Women’s Herbal Conference. USA
- Healing with Peruvian medicinal and aromatic plants (2019) New England Women’s Herbal Conference. USA
- Essential oils of parsley, sage, rosemary, and sage (2019) New England Women’s Herbal Conference, USA
- Peruvian rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora): conservation consciousness, cultivation, and education (2019) Planting the Future, USA
- Peruvian rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora): its threats, therapeutic uses, spiritual qualities, and protectors (2019) National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, USA
- Essential and carrier oil-bearing plants: conservation consciousness (2018). Korean Association of Essential Oils, South Korea
- Protecting endangered species (2018) Regent’s University, London, UK
- Conservation of essential oil-bearing plants (2018) Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, UK
- The use of traditional medicine throughout Peru (2017) Alliance of International Aromatherapists, Rutgers University, USA
- Curiosity Collider: Meet the Artists – Science Collides (2016), Canada
- The language of fragrance in pollination (2016) Pollination Festival, USA
- Medicinal and aromatic plants: applications, benefits, conservation and chemistry (2017) Wild Seed School of Herbal Studies, Canada
- Conservation statuses and sustainability of medicinal and aromatic plants (2016), BCAPA, Canada
- Aromatic plant medicine for the visually impaired (2016) Canada
- Juicing with medicinal and aromatic plants (2016) Vancouver Community College, Canada
- Aromatherapy as a form of traditional medicine in Peru (2016) Alliance of International Aromatherapists, USA
- Aromatic Plant Medicine in Peruvian Culture (2016) Canada
- Order through odour (2016) Cafe Du Soleil, Canada
- Wild aromas and food collection workshop (2016) Canada
- Artistic expression in response to chemical ecology and essential Oils (2016) Science World, Canada
- Chemical ecology and essential Oils (2015) Science World, Canada
- Reiki and remedies (2015) Vancouver Community College Urban Apothecary Garden, Canada
- Tai chi and chai tea (2015) Vancouver Community College Urban Apothecary Garden, Canada
- Chemical communication across species (2013) Keynote speaker British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapy Annual Meeting, Canada
Publications
Peer-reviewed articles
- Johnson, S., Canney Davison, S., [Ablard, K.M. et al.] (in progress) Considering CITES Listing for Frankincense (Boswellia spp.) a Non-Lethally Harvested Non- Timber Forest Product. Forest Policy and Economics.
- 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.
Books
- Ablard, K. and Galia, F. (in progress). No Place for Plants
- Ablard, K (in progress). Fragile Fragrances
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. (2023) Omumbiri (Commiphora wildii Merxm.): essential oil profile and sustainable management in Namibia. In Essence.
- 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., Carson, C., and Tisserand, R. (2015) Cinnamon survey: special report. The Tisserand Institute.
- Ablard, K.M. Essential oils of citrus prevent infection in plants and animals (2015) Tisserand Institute Newsletter.
- 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
- Board of Directors: Aromatic Research Quality Appraisal Taskforce (ARQAT) (2023 – present)
- Peer-reviewer: Biology journals (2017 – present)
- Community Scientist, Science World, 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
- Outstanding Alumnus (2022) Simon Fraser University: Department of Biological Sciences, Canada
- Achievement of Excellence Award (2016) British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapists, Canada
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) sponsored member award (2011-2013), USA
- President’s PhD Research Stipend Award (2011) Simon Fraser University, Canada
- Graduate Fellowship Award (2006 – 2008) Simon Fraser University, Canada
- Travel Scholarship (2007) Simon Fraser University, 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, UK
- Research Grant, Association of British Wild Animal Keepers (2004) Chester Zoo, UK
- Cum laude (2004) California State Polytechnic University Pomona, USA
- Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Program Scholar (2002-present), USA
Media
- Interview (2023) AromaSummit by AromaTrust, Global
- Interview (2023) AromaSummit, Global
- Interview (2021) International Clinical Aromatherapy Network, Global
- Interview (2021) Aromatic Chat podcast, Global
- Interview (2021) NAHA podcast, Global
- Interview (2021) An Aromatic Life podcast, USA
- Interview (2020) Maria’s Aromatic Café, Brazil
- Interview (2020) Conversaciones Aromaticas, Mexico
- Interview (2020) Aromatic Plant Wisdom podcast, USA
- Interview (2019) LabAroma podcast, Global
- Interview (2018) Beyond the Essential Oil Recipe Summit, Global
- Interview, (2018) David Crow, Global
- Interview (2017) Uncommon Scents, USA
- Interview (2017) KBeach radio, USA
- Interview (2016) Smiling Joe Productions, Canada
- Interview (2013) Canadian Geographic magazine, Global
- Interview (2013) Science Daily, Global
- Mysteries of Slow Loris Toxin, UK (2012) British Broadcasting Company (BBC)
- Interview (2011) Robert Tisserand, USA
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; Canadian Alliance of Aromatherapy; National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy; International Society of Chemical Ecology; Organization of Nature Evolutionaries; International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists; International Clinical Aromatherapy Network