Cassandra Elphinstone is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She graduated with a BSc. in Honours Conservation Biology in 2017 from UBC. Cassandra’s main research focuses on tundra molecular ecology. She studies Arctic and alpine plant responses to global change using genomics and ecology and is interested in the role of chromosome structure in adaptation. Awards and networks include past president and trails coordinator for the UBC Varsity Outdoor Club, Federation of Mountain Clubs Recreation and Conservation committee member, student representative for the International Tundra Experiment Steering Committee, Schulich Leader, Killam Doctoral Scholar, NSERC Vanier, and Weston Family Doctoral Award in Northern Research.