Xinyu (Cindy) Li, PhD

I grew up in New Zealand and picked up an interest in ecology, as many others have, through the swathes of natural beauty and unique species protected and maintained by environmental professionals across the country. Wanting to see what life was like in a “big pond,” I came to the US to pursue an undergraduate followed by a graduate degree, where I was lucky to be given the opportunity to study post-fire recovery of vegetation, with a focus on flowering and pollinator activity, in Southern California.

As a biologist at Ascent, I work on projects in the office or out and about, ranging from wetland permitting to biological surveys to researching the effects of new processes on sensitive species. No two weeks are the same, and I enjoy the challenges that come from tackling new projects. Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors, finding new places to eat, and historical fashions.