Dr. Sumeet Gulati, an environmental economist, shares the role of Principal Investigator of the Wildlife Conservation and Economics Laboratory, with Dr. Frederik Noack. Sumeet was born and raised in India, and moved to North America in 1996. He holds a Masters in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics, a Ph.D. In Agricultural and Environmental Economics from the University of Maryland and has been at UBC ever since.
Sumeet’s current research is on human-wildlife interactions in rural communities in proximity of forest reserves in India. He is trying to understand the reasons underlying human casualties (injury and death) from their conflict with wildlife.
“We are in one of six mass extinctions experienced on earth. I hope my research can, even marginally, help extend the lifespan of an imperiled species on this planet. Although sometimes I feel, that the real reason I study human-wildlife conflict is an urge to be a child again. I find myself drawn to the birds, animals, and vegetation of my youth. Through my research I am trying to experience it all again,” says Sumeet.
Earlier this year, these research interests led Dr. Gulati to successfully secure a SSHRC Partnership Development grant to study human casualties from wildlife conflict in India. The grant brings together an excellent set of partners in India and Canada, collaborating on this research over the next three years.
When asked about his favourite aspect of the Wildlife Conservation and Economics Lab, Gulati says, “The energy that our lab members bring to it. This lab is a great space for the intellectually curious. The members are supportive to each other, and I learn from them in every interaction.”
Outside of the lab you will find Sumeet at his favourite natural spaces – the foreshore trail at UBC, Jericho pond and beach, and when travelling: the Rajaji National Park in India. He spends his personal time socializing, viewing wildlife, cycling, hiking, and sometimes singing karaoke (in no particular order).
If you would like to learn more about Sumeet’s research, or how to contact him, you can find that information on this website.