My area of interest is in the development of forecasting and risk assessment models of non-native species. Computationally intensive methods for forecasting within a regime of high uncertainty have become increasingly feasible with the decreasing cost of high powered computers.
Working with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis on a project tittled Economic impacts of non-native forest pests and pathogens in North America, my research will provide species impact models that incorporate economic valuations of forest resources, invasion probabilities and spread dynamics. The results of this research will help inform policy and management practices to effectively deal with invasion risk.

The second portion of my course of study will be carried out in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The department is interested in forecasting potential invasions of aquatic flora and fauna to the Great Lakes Basin. Formulating an integrative model across all known pathways of introduction will be the crux of this project.
Finally, in collaboration with Zhejiang Agricultural University, in Zhejiang, China, modeling the spread across various pathways of Rice Water Weevil in China. Using techniques of gravity modeling, my aim is to create a predictive framework for the future spread of the grain pest.
Past research includes estimating the propagule pressure of alien aquatic fauna into the Great Lakes Basin via the aquarium trade. It is this research that, in part, will be built upon to devise an integrative invasion model across all known pathways. In other areas, I have worked in urban public space research, conducting parks emmissions audits and modeling outdoor artificial ice rink efficiency under various management scenarios.
[e-mail: corey.chivers@mail.mcgill.ca]