2022 Candidate Adriana L. Romero-Olivares

Adriana L. Romero-Olivares
Assistant Professor
New Mexico State University

Candidate for: Member of the Governing Board

I am a fungal ecologist who works at the intersection of ecosystem ecology and evolution. I am interested in better understanding how fungi respond and adapt to global climate change and consequences to ecosystem-scale biogeochemical processes. In my career, I have explored fungi in a wide variety of ecosystems ranging from boreal ecosystems to drylands, I have investigated fungal communities as a whole, and have also investigated fungi at the species-level. In summary, I am really passionate about fungi! At ESA, I am the incoming chair of the Microbial Ecology Section (2022-2023) and have actively participated in this section since 2018 when I was selected as the diversity liaison. I have been a SEEDS mentor since 2017 which is by far my favorite activity of the ESA conference. I am currently an ESA Excellence in Ecology Scholar, an award I got due to my merits of research ideas and my contributions to diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and justice (DEIJ) at ESA and beyond. Aside from ESA, I have served in multiple diversity committees in other societies and at my universities, and I am committed to DEIJ though my research and service.

What interests, experience or skills would you bring to this position?

I am committed to diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and justice (DEIJ) through my research and service at ESA and other societies. Throughout my career, I have served in diversity committees, and held leadership positions such as the chair of the diversity committee of the Mycological Society of America, the vice-chair -and incoming chair- of the Microbial Ecology section, and board member of the Women of Color and Non-Binary People of Color in EEB (WoCinEEB). In these leadership positions, I have contributed to many different areas, but the one that I consider a highlight is that I have helped in setting the direction for the mission and vision of each one of these groups and making sure that proposed goals are being met. I have also actively participated in securing funding for annual proposed activities and for setting up awards. These skills have prepared me to commit to a bigger role at ESA as a governing board member.

How would you support ESA’s mission? How would you plan to promote DEIJ in ESA membership and activities if elected?

I will promote diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and justice (DEIJ) in different ways. First, I will advocate for making sure that the future mission and vision of ESA includes DEIJ components. I will make sure that the goals of the society and steps to achieving these goals are being met, including securing resources. Second, I will take an active role organizing DEIJ activities at ESA that bridge the gap between ecological research and social justice at multiple levels. For example, making sure that the science and practice of ecology is being conducted in a socially just way and that ecologists of all backgrounds are being equally supported throughout their careers.