Andrea Brennan, PhD – van Eck Scholar

Principal Investigator – Dr. Jacobs

anbrenna@purdue.edu

Andrea argues that technology, ecology, and society are key considerations to the successful restoration of threatened tree species.  Her research is focused on the butternut tree (Juglans cinerea), currently being attacked by the fungus that causes butternut canker disease (Ophiognomonia clavigignenti-juglandacearum).  In particular, she is evaluating the use of hybrid butternut trees as a potential restoration tool through disease screening, assessment of environmental tolerances, and evaluation of perceptions to the use of hybrid trees for restoration.

Graham Frank, MS – van Eck Scholar

Principal Investigator – Dr. Jenkins

frankg@purdue.edu

Forestry mulching heads are a more efficient alternative to cut stump herbicide treatments for removing the invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle, but may have unforeseen impacts on community responses to invasive removal. I’m comparing the effectiveness of these two methods for preventing honeysuckle resprouting and the responses of both the understory plant community (including tree seedlings) and soil microbial communities to either treatment.

Bradley Graham – PhD

Principal Investigator – Dr. Jenkins

graham40@purdue.edu

The primary objectives of Brad’s dissertation research are to quantify the carbon storage capacity of Central Hardwood Region forests by assessing remaining old-growth stands across the region and to investigate long-term changes in carbon storage reservoirs through repeated measurements.

Skye Greenler – MS

Principal Investigator – Drs. Saunders/Swihart

greenler@purdue.edu

Skye is studying how prescribed fire effects oak regeneration in an expanding group shelterwood silvicultural system in both harvested and unharvested areas. She is specifically investigating: how these treatments alter granivore predation and dispersal of acorns; the effects of granivore caching behavior on acorn survival during a burn; and quantifying oak seedling growth and regeneration.

Lilian Jacobo, MS

Principle Investigator – Dr. Jacobs

layalaja@purdue.edu

Lilian is a new graduate student who joined us Fall 2017.

David Mann, MS

Principal Investigator – Dr. Saunders

mann70@purdue.edu

Meghan Mulroy, MS

Principal Investigator – Dr. Jenkins

mmulroy@purdue.edu

Meghan is looking at ecological effects of hemlock mortality from an exotic insect in the Smokies.

Rebekah Dickens Ohara, PhD

Principal Investigator – Dr. Jacobs

oharar@purdue.edu

Rebekah is pursuing a PhD in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, with a focus on the Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management. She is conducting a political ecology analysis of stewardship networks in North Kona and South Kohala,  Hawai‘i Island through Stewardship Mapping and Assessment (STEW-MAP). Her research is focused on supporting the development of a community managed forest in North Kona, and exploring institutional best practices in collaboratively managed terrestrial systems.

David Ralston, MS

Principal Investigator – Dr. Saunders

dralsto@purdue.edu

David is a new graduate student who joined us Spring 2018.

Caleb Redick, MS – van Eck Scholar

Principal Investigator – Dr. Jacobs

credick@purdue.edu

Caleb’s research will be focused on forest restoration, likely including mitigation of animal browsing damage of oaks and chestnuts.

Weston Schempf, PhD

Principal Investigator – Dr. Jacobs

wschempf@purdue.edu

Wes is researching nursery stocktypes and vegetation management on mine reclamation success.

Tyler Stewart, MS

Principal Investigator – Dr. Ginzel

Stewar23@purdue.edu

Tyler’s work mainly involves characterizing bark and ambrosia beetles associated with Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) symptomatic black walnut in the eastern US. He is trying to understand what roles these beetles, possible vectors of TCD, play in this system. He also monitoring black walnut health within these areas as well.

Emily Thyroff, MS

Principal Investigator – Dr. Jacobs

ethyroff@purdue.edu

Emily’s research is focused on the ecophysiology of Quercus virginiana, live oak, in order to restore the hardwood species to maritime forests in the Southeastern United States.  Live oak is a dominant species of maritime forests, which are ecologically important as soil stabilizers, habitat for wildlife and recharging limited freshwater.

Mariam Valladares, MS

Principal Investigator – Dr. Jacobs

mvallada@purdue.edu

Mariam is working on the effectiveness of forest protection levels in maintaining forest composition over time in Honduras

Geoffrey Williams, PhD – van Eck Scholar

Principle Investigator – Dr. Ginzel

will1809@purdue.edu

Geoff’s interests include forest biometrics, community ecology, and management, with a focus on forest health and fungal ecology. He is currently researching Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD), an emergent fungus-beetle complex which kills walnut (Juglans) trees when the fungal pathogen Geosmithia morbida is introduced to the inner bark by the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis). Specifically, he is looking at community interactions that may influence the severity of the disease and the physiological tolerance of G. morbida to stress such as desiccation of its substrate, e.g. dry walnut wood. You can learn more about Geoff’s past and current research on his website.