Education
2016 - present Columbia University New York, NY
PhD candidate in Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
Advisor: Dustin Rubenstein
2014 – 2015 Columbia University New York, NY
Post-baccalaureate: Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
2009 – 2013 Princeton University Princeton, NJ
Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology (High Honors)
Certificates: African Studies, Dance
PhD candidate in Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
Advisor: Dustin Rubenstein
2014 – 2015 Columbia University New York, NY
Post-baccalaureate: Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology
2009 – 2013 Princeton University Princeton, NJ
Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology (High Honors)
Certificates: African Studies, Dance
Publications
Galante, P.J., K. Hade, S.J. Siller, N. Gazit, and S.K. Macey. 2020. Modeling suitable habitat for a species of conservation concern: an introduction to spatial analysis with QGIS. Lessons in Conservation 10(1):96–119. Available from ncep.amnh.org/linc.
Clark, J.A., S.J. Siller, and S.K. Macey. 2020. Bats in the city? An exploration of acoustic monitoring of bats. Lessons in Conservation 10(1):66–95. Available from ncep.amnh.org/linc.
Siller, S.J., and D.R. Rubenstein. 2019. A tissue comparison of DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (Nr3c1) in European starlings. Integrative and Comparative Biology 15(2): 264-272.
Bravo A, AL Porzecanski, JA Cigliano, S Siller, and E Betley. 2018. Applying critical thinking to an invasive species problem. Lessons in Conservation 8:52–65.
Gaynor KM, JW Solomon, S Siller, L Jessel, JE Duffy, and DR Rubenstein. 2017. Development of genome- and transcriptome-derived microsatellites in related species of snapping shrimps with highly duplicated genomes. Molecular Ecology Resource 6: e160-e173.
Clark, J.A., S.J. Siller, and S.K. Macey. 2020. Bats in the city? An exploration of acoustic monitoring of bats. Lessons in Conservation 10(1):66–95. Available from ncep.amnh.org/linc.
Siller, S.J., and D.R. Rubenstein. 2019. A tissue comparison of DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (Nr3c1) in European starlings. Integrative and Comparative Biology 15(2): 264-272.
Bravo A, AL Porzecanski, JA Cigliano, S Siller, and E Betley. 2018. Applying critical thinking to an invasive species problem. Lessons in Conservation 8:52–65.
Gaynor KM, JW Solomon, S Siller, L Jessel, JE Duffy, and DR Rubenstein. 2017. Development of genome- and transcriptome-derived microsatellites in related species of snapping shrimps with highly duplicated genomes. Molecular Ecology Resource 6: e160-e173.
Teaching Experience & Development
2020 – 2021 Teaching Assessment Fellow, Columbia University
Support a teaching initiative that bridges conservation biology theory and practice by assessing and evaluating student learning, and presenting this data to inform future teaching practices.
2019 – present Teaching Development Program: Advanced Track, Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning
Work with a community of peers to cultivate my teaching practices through a series of pedagogical training workshops, teaching observations, and completion of a capstone project
2017 – present Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners (NCEP), Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, AMNH
Assist in managing, researching, and writing updates for the NCEP module database for conservation learning and teaching resources; contribute to the journal Lessons in Conservation; investigate and curate open access resources
2019 – 2020 Lead Teaching Fellow, Columbia University
Promote development of graduate student pedagogical practices by organizing workshops and facilitating teaching development opportunities; act as a liaison between the department and Center for Teaching and Learning
Fall 2019 Course Design Seminar, Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning
In this 4-week course, explored evidence-based, inclusive instructional design practices to create a learner-centered syllabus for a course on Behavioral Endocrinology
Spring 2019 EEEB3019 Principles of Animal Behavior, Columbia University – TA
In this 10-person seminar, led weekly paper discussion groups, graded and provided feedback on weekly reflection papers, wrote and graded the midterm exam, assisted in student development of final literature review papers, and taught one lecture
Fall 2018 EEEB2001 Environmental Biology I, Columbia University – TA
In this mid-sized lecture course, co-led weekly recitation groups, contributed to and graded exams, and taught one lecture
Summer 2018 NCEP Conservation Teaching and Learning Studio
Participated in a 3-day workshop on developing and using evidence-based teaching strategies and techniques, translating passive teaching styles into active, and integrating active teaching into the classroom
Spring 2017 EEEB2002 Environmental Biology II, Columbia University – TA, Lab Instructor
In this lecture and lab course, led weekly lab experiments for 14 students, and graded and provided feedback on lab reports
Summer 2012 Northern Kenya Conservation Clubs – Teacher
Designed and implemented lessons plans, experiments and activities at 7 primary schools; assisted in coordinating and organizing Community Conservation Day for over 300 individuals; launched a computer course at Mpala Primary School for 15 students, grades 4-5
Support a teaching initiative that bridges conservation biology theory and practice by assessing and evaluating student learning, and presenting this data to inform future teaching practices.
2019 – present Teaching Development Program: Advanced Track, Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning
Work with a community of peers to cultivate my teaching practices through a series of pedagogical training workshops, teaching observations, and completion of a capstone project
2017 – present Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners (NCEP), Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, AMNH
Assist in managing, researching, and writing updates for the NCEP module database for conservation learning and teaching resources; contribute to the journal Lessons in Conservation; investigate and curate open access resources
2019 – 2020 Lead Teaching Fellow, Columbia University
Promote development of graduate student pedagogical practices by organizing workshops and facilitating teaching development opportunities; act as a liaison between the department and Center for Teaching and Learning
Fall 2019 Course Design Seminar, Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning
In this 4-week course, explored evidence-based, inclusive instructional design practices to create a learner-centered syllabus for a course on Behavioral Endocrinology
Spring 2019 EEEB3019 Principles of Animal Behavior, Columbia University – TA
In this 10-person seminar, led weekly paper discussion groups, graded and provided feedback on weekly reflection papers, wrote and graded the midterm exam, assisted in student development of final literature review papers, and taught one lecture
Fall 2018 EEEB2001 Environmental Biology I, Columbia University – TA
In this mid-sized lecture course, co-led weekly recitation groups, contributed to and graded exams, and taught one lecture
Summer 2018 NCEP Conservation Teaching and Learning Studio
Participated in a 3-day workshop on developing and using evidence-based teaching strategies and techniques, translating passive teaching styles into active, and integrating active teaching into the classroom
Spring 2017 EEEB2002 Environmental Biology II, Columbia University – TA, Lab Instructor
In this lecture and lab course, led weekly lab experiments for 14 students, and graded and provided feedback on lab reports
Summer 2012 Northern Kenya Conservation Clubs – Teacher
Designed and implemented lessons plans, experiments and activities at 7 primary schools; assisted in coordinating and organizing Community Conservation Day for over 300 individuals; launched a computer course at Mpala Primary School for 15 students, grades 4-5
Grants and Fellowships
2019 Lead Teaching Fellowship, Columbia University Center for Teaching and Learning ($2000)
2019 Small Grants Program for Local and Regional Outreach Promoting the Understanding of Evolutionary Biology, Society for the Study of
Evolution (with S. Shah) ($500)
2019 ABS Outreach Grant, Animal Behavior Society (with S. Shah) ($895)
2018 Van Tyne Award, American Ornithological Society ($2500)
2016 Columbia University E3B Pre-Dissertation Research Grant ($3000)
2016 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, DGE-16-44869
2016 Columbia University Dean’s Fellowship
2019 Small Grants Program for Local and Regional Outreach Promoting the Understanding of Evolutionary Biology, Society for the Study of
Evolution (with S. Shah) ($500)
2019 ABS Outreach Grant, Animal Behavior Society (with S. Shah) ($895)
2018 Van Tyne Award, American Ornithological Society ($2500)
2016 Columbia University E3B Pre-Dissertation Research Grant ($3000)
2016 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, DGE-16-44869
2016 Columbia University Dean’s Fellowship
Presentations and Posters
Siller SJ, Rubenstein DR. A tissue comparison of DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (Nr3c1) in European starlings, American Ornithological Society, Anchorage AK, Jun 26-28 2019.
Siller SJ, Rubenstein DR. Methylation in the GR Promoter in the Brain and Blood of the European starling, International Ornithological Congress, Vancouver CA, Aug 19-26 2018.
Jaguar Conservation in the Paraguayan Gran Chaco. ZACC, Jacksonville FL. Jan 24, 2018.
Project Neofelis: a New Flagship Species. ZACC, Jacksonville, FL. Jan 24, 2018.
Siller SJ. Kuhifadhi Mazingira: Cultivating Conservation Knowledge in Rural Kenyan Schools, Clubs, and Communities. SCCS-NY, American Museum of Natural History, New York NY. Oct. 11-13, 2017.
Siller SJ. NYC pretzels versus birdseed: Social environment influences food preference in feral NYC pigeons. Barnard Summer Research Institute, Barnard College, New York NY. Jan. 30, 2015.
Siller SJ, Rubenstein DR. Methylation in the GR Promoter in the Brain and Blood of the European starling, International Ornithological Congress, Vancouver CA, Aug 19-26 2018.
Jaguar Conservation in the Paraguayan Gran Chaco. ZACC, Jacksonville FL. Jan 24, 2018.
Project Neofelis: a New Flagship Species. ZACC, Jacksonville, FL. Jan 24, 2018.
Siller SJ. Kuhifadhi Mazingira: Cultivating Conservation Knowledge in Rural Kenyan Schools, Clubs, and Communities. SCCS-NY, American Museum of Natural History, New York NY. Oct. 11-13, 2017.
Siller SJ. NYC pretzels versus birdseed: Social environment influences food preference in feral NYC pigeons. Barnard Summer Research Institute, Barnard College, New York NY. Jan. 30, 2015.
Field Skills & Experience
Skills: Wildlife trapping (mist-nets, ground traps and trapping in nest boxes); banding and measuring birds; behavioral observations; wildlife transect surveys; biological sampling (blood, fecal, and sperm); euthanizing via isoflurane; tissue dissection
Spring 2019 PhD Research – Heidinger Lab, NDSU, Fargo ND
Conducted field work on house sparrows as part of a project assessing impacts of parental and post-natal stress on offspring growth, development, stress response, DNA methylation, and telomere length
Spring 2017 PhD Research – Hudson Highlands, Cornwall NY
Trapped and sampled European starlings as part of a project to determine the use of blood as a non-lethal biomarker for DNA methylation markers in the brain
Spring 2016 PhD Research – Hudson Highlands, Cornwall NY
Set up field site of 100 nest boxes as pilot study to assess pre- and post-natal effects of stress on offspring in European starlings
2014 – 2015 Research Scientist – Calisi Lab, Barnard College, New York NY
Ran behavioral study on impact of social environment on pigeon foraging strategies in an urban environment; developed scan sampling survey to evaluate pigeon densities
2013 – 2014 Princeton in Africa Fellow – Mpala Research Centre, Laikipia Kenya
Conducted field work to assess breeding and nest behavior of Von der Decken’s hornbills; conducted three wildlife transect surveys
Spring 2019 PhD Research – Heidinger Lab, NDSU, Fargo ND
Conducted field work on house sparrows as part of a project assessing impacts of parental and post-natal stress on offspring growth, development, stress response, DNA methylation, and telomere length
Spring 2017 PhD Research – Hudson Highlands, Cornwall NY
Trapped and sampled European starlings as part of a project to determine the use of blood as a non-lethal biomarker for DNA methylation markers in the brain
Spring 2016 PhD Research – Hudson Highlands, Cornwall NY
Set up field site of 100 nest boxes as pilot study to assess pre- and post-natal effects of stress on offspring in European starlings
2014 – 2015 Research Scientist – Calisi Lab, Barnard College, New York NY
Ran behavioral study on impact of social environment on pigeon foraging strategies in an urban environment; developed scan sampling survey to evaluate pigeon densities
2013 – 2014 Princeton in Africa Fellow – Mpala Research Centre, Laikipia Kenya
Conducted field work to assess breeding and nest behavior of Von der Decken’s hornbills; conducted three wildlife transect surveys
Lab Skills & Experience
Skills: RNA and DNA tissue and blood extraction; bisulfite conversion; enzymatic methyl-seq hybridization; pyrosequencing; cryostat tissue dissection; PCR; cresyl violet staining; analytics using Geneious and R
2016 – present PhD Research – Rubenstein Lab, Columbia University, New York NY
Assessing expression and DNA methylation patterns in blood, brain (hippocampus and hypothalamus), and liver using pyrosequencing and methyl-seq probe hybridization techniques to determine impacts of developmental stress on the methylome
2015 – 2016 Research Scientist –Rubenstein Lab, Columbia University, New York NY
Used pyrosequencing to assess DNA methylation in Nr3C1 promoter in superb starlings to assess adaptive mechanisms to unpredictable environmental conditions; developed genome- and transcriptome-derived microsatellites for Synalpheus shrimp
2016 – present PhD Research – Rubenstein Lab, Columbia University, New York NY
Assessing expression and DNA methylation patterns in blood, brain (hippocampus and hypothalamus), and liver using pyrosequencing and methyl-seq probe hybridization techniques to determine impacts of developmental stress on the methylome
2015 – 2016 Research Scientist –Rubenstein Lab, Columbia University, New York NY
Used pyrosequencing to assess DNA methylation in Nr3C1 promoter in superb starlings to assess adaptive mechanisms to unpredictable environmental conditions; developed genome- and transcriptome-derived microsatellites for Synalpheus shrimp
Work Experience
2017 – 2018 Society for the Preservation of Endangered Carnivores and their International Ecological Study – Program Director
Coordinated and collated updates from global projects and teams; created, edited, and managed monthly newsletter Carnivore Connection; hired and managed intern team for social media, fundraising, networking and education; represented and presented for S.P.E.C.I.E.S. at conferences (ex. ZACC, SSCS-NY); managed and updated website through WordPress, including writing & editing entries; connected and maintained relationships with new partners and fundraising collaborators
2013 – 2014 Mpala Research Centre, Laikipia Kenya – Princeton in Africa Fellow
Outreach Coordinator
Organized talks to facilitate information sharing between researchers and the community; assisted in production, writing, and photo editing for the Annenberg-funded Mpala Live! Program; coordinated and evaluated after-school conservation and wildlife education programs at 11 rural public Kenyan schools; implemented “Mpala Girls Empowerment Project” including lecture series, shadowing opportunities and graduate internships to provide mentorship and conservation education for young women
Assistant to Director
Edited and contributed to Mpala Memos newsletter; managed the Adopt-an-Elephant Program, composing quarterly updates on elephant behavior; maintained relationships with researchers and donors, and compiled donation reports on Salesforce
Coordinated and collated updates from global projects and teams; created, edited, and managed monthly newsletter Carnivore Connection; hired and managed intern team for social media, fundraising, networking and education; represented and presented for S.P.E.C.I.E.S. at conferences (ex. ZACC, SSCS-NY); managed and updated website through WordPress, including writing & editing entries; connected and maintained relationships with new partners and fundraising collaborators
2013 – 2014 Mpala Research Centre, Laikipia Kenya – Princeton in Africa Fellow
Outreach Coordinator
Organized talks to facilitate information sharing between researchers and the community; assisted in production, writing, and photo editing for the Annenberg-funded Mpala Live! Program; coordinated and evaluated after-school conservation and wildlife education programs at 11 rural public Kenyan schools; implemented “Mpala Girls Empowerment Project” including lecture series, shadowing opportunities and graduate internships to provide mentorship and conservation education for young women
Assistant to Director
Edited and contributed to Mpala Memos newsletter; managed the Adopt-an-Elephant Program, composing quarterly updates on elephant behavior; maintained relationships with researchers and donors, and compiled donation reports on Salesforce
Mentorship
Spring 2020 Mentoring in the Sciences: Tools, Tips, and Techniques for Being an Effective Mentor
Developed resource for graduate students to use in order to develop and enhance their mentoring skills for current and future practice
Fall 2019 Connect, Share, Learn: Enhancing the E3B TA Experience
Organized and led workshop for peers in the department to share TA experiences with incoming TAs and learn to implement Universal Design for Learning techniques in their teaching
2017 Mentored undergraduate Arden Berlinger in learning lab techniques and protocols, including PCR and pyrosequencing, and contributing to lab project studying epigenetic markers in European starlings
Developed resource for graduate students to use in order to develop and enhance their mentoring skills for current and future practice
Fall 2019 Connect, Share, Learn: Enhancing the E3B TA Experience
Organized and led workshop for peers in the department to share TA experiences with incoming TAs and learn to implement Universal Design for Learning techniques in their teaching
2017 Mentored undergraduate Arden Berlinger in learning lab techniques and protocols, including PCR and pyrosequencing, and contributing to lab project studying epigenetic markers in European starlings
