People

Stuart B. Weiss (PhD, Stanford University) Chief Scientist

Stu has wide-ranging research experience in conservation and population biology, microclimate characterization, and statistical analysis. He worked for over fifteen years at the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University, has authored more than 25 scientific publications, and has served as principal investigator for more than 50 grants and contracts (US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Energy Commission, Silicon Valley Land Conservancy, etc.). CV

Christal Niederer (BS, San Francisco State University), Senior Biologist

Christal has worked for Creekside Science since 2005. She has extensive experience in rare plant surveys and monitoring, and has led successful restoration projects with sensitive taxa including San Mateo thornmint, Metcalf Canyon jewelflower, Tiburon paintbrush, and Crystal Springs fountain thistle. She is also intensively involved in Bay checkerspot and Mission blue butterfly introductions. Many of her projects include invasive plant management. CV

James Quenelle (BA, UC Davis), Senior Biologist

Jimmy has been with Creekside Science since 2008. He has worked in rare plant management and propagation, invasive species control, butterfly translocations and high elevation topoclimatic research. In addition to his conservation and restoration work, he has a background in outdoor education. He has also worked on and led National Park Service trail construction crews. CV

Marissa Kent (BS, Cal Poly), Staff Biologist

Marissa has experience working with a variety of listed plant species both in the field and in the nursery. She has also worked on multiple projects involving special status butterfly species including the Bay checkerspot, Mission blue, and Monarch butterfly. She has been with Creekside Science since 2016. CV

Chris Schwind (BS and MA, UC Santa Cruz), Staff Biologist

Chris came to Creekside Science at the beginning of 2017 after completing his masters in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz. His background is in the coevolution of insect-host plant interactions. He also has great deal of experience in science education. Since starting at Creekside Science, he has been working on monitoring nitrogen deposition, monarch overwintering site assessment, as well as plant and butterfly surveys in serpentine grasslands. CV