Dr. Christopher J. Schell is an urban ecologist, professor, father, and writer. Over a 15-year career, Schell's research in urban animal behavior, physiology, biodiversity, and human-wildlife interactions has served the dual purpose of revealing the hidden stories of wildlife in our backyards, while simultaneously unpacking how societal inequities within our cities profoundly impact us and the natural world. Mammalian carnivores – some of the most endearing, charismatic, and polarizing species on the planet – have served as Schell’s wildlife avatars, guiding research inquiries centered on human-carnivore interactions, their consequences, and their lessons for coexistence. Schell has published a series of impactful articles in some of the most highly regarded scientific journals, including Science, PNAS, and Nature, as well as co-edited a book, Urban Biodiversity and Equity, that articulates how environmental injustices impact all facets of nature. It is through this lens that Schell emphasizes the inextricable bonds we share with all components of planet, and that regenerating our natural world will require just solutions that restore our relationships to each other. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of California Berkeley, an Affiliate Faculty member of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, and a Fellow and Board Member at the California Academy of Sciences. His research has been featured in National Geographic magazine, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Vox Explained, RadioLab, the BBC, various NPR productions, and recently showcased in an episode of the PBS show Human Footprint. Moreover, Schell’s work and the work of his colleagues is featured in a new exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences, State of Nature, which showcases California’s extraordinary natural beauty from coasts to deserts, and seas to cities. Schell was honored as a 2023 National Geographic Wayfinder Award recipient and 2021 Grist Fixer for his integral work and has presented numerous keynote and plenary addresses to international and public audiences including the Natural Capital Symposium (2024), TEDx Vandenburg Space Force Base (2024), and The 2nd Annual World Biodiversity Forum (2022). Finally, Schell serves the lead for the Nature and Equity chapter in the first-ever National Nature Assessment, a massive undertaking by the U.S. Global Change Research Program to articulate our relationships with nature in the past, present, and future.