I have always liked to ask big questions, but invariably get caught up
in the details of “how things work” at the smaller scale.
Ecophysiology is the perfect discipline for this kind of thinking, as
it involves a bottom-up framework of inquiry. I study how trees work
using fine-scale physiology measurements, and then extrapolate what I
learn to the ecosystem in order to answer those big ecological
questions within the context of global change.
"The wonder is that we can see these trees and not wonder more."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Global change ecology is an ever-expanding field that offers the
opportunity for both exciting discovery and practical application.
Understanding how plants interact with their environment is imperative
if we want to understand how ecosystems are responding to climate
change, land use change, and invasive species. I explore the movement
of both CO2 and water through forests, as well as tree canopy
structure as it relates to physiological function.
In both classroom teaching and laboratory mentoring, I strive to
create a nurturing, unintimidating learning environment that fosters
curiosity about science, facilitates critical thinking, and encourages
students to actively participate in their own education. I enjoy
teaching classes in tree physiology and forest ecophysiology, with
emphasis on hands-on learning of practical skills such as field data
collection and analysis.
Specific Interests:
Forest canopy structure and function
Forest response to global change
Carbon and water cycling through forests
Tree ecophysiology
Stable isotope ecology
Invasive tree species
