Hi, my name is

Nina,

I am a data ecologist and science communicator!

My expertise lies in data analysis, visualization, and storytelling for government, academia, and non-profit organizations.

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Nina Obiar profile image

About Me

Nina Obiar profile picture

I am a data ecologist and science communicator with a passion for data analysis and visualization. I have a background in ecology and statistics, and I have a strong interest in the intersection of data science and environmental research. I have worked with Parks Canada, the Mushkegowuk Council, and McGill University to research and communicate the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

In all aspects of my work I aim to uphold my identity as a Filipino immigrant as I continue to mold my research here in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal. I am grateful to have been brought up navigating the delicate balance between superstition and science, inherited from generations of farmers in my family who imparted wisdom on sensing the health of our livestock and predicting harvest yields.

Here are a few of the skills I've been working on recently:
  • R
  • PowerBI
  • MySQL
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript

Projects

Canada's Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
R Species Distribution Modelling Protected Areas GBIF
Canada's Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
'Useful' plants (i.e., food, medicine, materials) can be minimizied in biodiversity valuation. I investigate whether we can bridge biodiversity and ecosystem services. More specifically, I delve deeper into whether classic biodiversity metrics can be an effective surrogate for useful plant diversity
Species Distribution Modelling for the Hudson Bay Lowlands
R Species Distribution Modelling Policy
Species Distribution Modelling for the Hudson Bay Lowlands
Developed species distribution models for the Hudson Bay - James Bay Lowland (HJBL) area with Parks Canada and the Canadian Museum of Nature to evaluate biodiversity patterns and support federal conservation and land-use policy.
Climate Change Effects on Albertan Avian Populations
R GLM Maxent
Climate Change Effects on Albertan Avian Populations
Analyzed effects of the climate crisis on Alberta's avian population using Maxent, ANOVA, and linear regression, and projected future populations of Mallard, Black-billed Magpie, and American Robin using GLMs.
Conserving At-Risk Wildflowers from Invasive Species
R Conservation
Conserving At-Risk Wildflowers from Invasive Species
Undergraduate thesis investigating competition between at-risk and invasive plant species using species distribution modelling, focused on the COSEWIC-listed Dwarf Hesperochiron in British Columbia.

Teaching

Sep 2023 - Dec 2024
Teaching Assistant, Methods in Biology
McGill University

Facilitated lab sessions for first-year undergraduates, providing hands-on instruction in data analysis and statistical methods.

Collaborated with instructors to develop lab materials and assessments.

Jan 2022 - Apr 2022
Course-Based Research Experiences Research Coach
Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning

Organized contracts between students, instructors, and project partners.

Helped plan an interdisciplinary research symposium and mentored students through their research projects.

Sep 2021 - Dec 2021
Research Coach
University of Calgary
Facilitated land-based learning experiences for students guided by an Elder, evaluated student work, and supported project planning and troubleshooting.

Publications

2025
Bridging biodiversity and ecosystem services through Canada's useful plants
Plants, People, Planet
Obiar, N., Eckert, I., Baker, J., Moerman, D., Pollock, L.J.
2025
Comparing the ability of natural history collections and community science observations to estimate plant niches
Botany
Eckert, I., Obiar, N., Pollock, L.J.
2022
Towards Reconciliation: Philanthropy, animal-human relationships, and community-engaged learning
PhiLab
Kincaid, A., Livingstone, S., Li, G., Adeladan, H., Obiar, N., Kumar, S., Tirmizi, S., Anderson, M., Hunt, I., Spence, D.
2022
Educational Reconciliation: Implementing Traditional Land-Based Learning in Canadian Universities
Canadian Journal for Undergraduate Research
Obiar, N., Morales, R.M.U.

Outreach

Student Representative, Inclusion and Diversity Committee
My passion for celebrating diversity and fostering inclusivity is a driving force in how I approach science. As a student representative of the Inclusion and Diversity Commity within the Canadian Botanical Association , I am constantly working to advocate for opportunities and events that nurture an inclusive botanical community. Being a female immigrant scientist can have its challenges… but being able to see positive change our institutions - albeit at a slower pace than one would hope - gives me hope! As always, happy to talk more about decolonizing, dismantling, and disrupting traditional norms in Western Science.
Science Ambassador
As a Science Ambassador at the University of Calgary , I had the privilege of fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity within our scientific community. Through dynamic social media engagement and lively Faculty of Science events, I helped cultivate an environment where students and faculty alike are inspired to explore the wonders of science and pursue their passions with enthusiasm.
Seminar Representative
I organized weekly seminars hosting scientists in ecology and evolution, and research talks for graduate students at McGill University.

Get in Touch

Please drop a line if any of my work resonates with you and want to talk more. You can reach me on my socials!
Mail me