Stephanie Chia

Hi! I’m a PhD candidate in ecology & evolution at the University of Maryland, working with Bill Fagan. My research applies quantitative tools and large ecological datasets to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape biodiversity.

I grew up in Taiwan and studied biology at National Taiwan University, then earned a Master’s in sustainability and innovation at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After working in environmental consulting, I discovered my interest in research and joined Mao-Ning Tuanmu’s lab at the Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, where I began my journey in ecological research.

Learn more about my research here, and find my CV here.

Outside of research, I enjoy hiking and traveling, and occasionally biking, casual birdwatching (love tagging along with real birders), or scuba diving.

If all goes as planned, I’ll be graduating in Spring 2026, and I’d be happy to connect about potential research opportunities.