Max is a quantitative ecologist, with expertise in data analysis and visualization. Her research focuses on wildlife space use and species distributions, and the ecological factors that influence populations. Max earned a B.A. from Princeton University and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Cruz in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Max currently holds an appointment as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco. She previously served as the Science Director at the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, where she directed all aspects of numerous science projects, including field research, applied data modeling work, and community science engagement. She achieved conservation impact by producing high quality research and forming collaborative partnerships with stakeholders in local and federal government, non-profits, academia, and the community.