Max Reines

Echinacea Project 2026

I am a field research technician beginning my career in ecology with the Echinacea Project! I recently graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, where I studied environmental science, with a focus on conservation biology.

Pronouns: he/him

Research Interests

I’m interested in restoration ecology and plant conservation, particularly in highly human-disturbed areas such as the agricultural lands of Douglas County, Minnesota where the Echinacea Project does its work. I plan to pursue a PhD in the near future, and am hoping to learn more about the research process this summer.

Statement

I grew up near Los Angeles, California, spending much of my childhood exploring the nearby Santa Monica Mountains. I like backpacking, surfing, doodling, dinosaurs, and native plants. Although I have often visited my family in the Midwest, I’ve never lived here, and I am excited to experience everything that West Central Minnesota has to offer!