André Franco

André Franco serves as Assistant Professor at Indiana University's Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and holds a Senior Global Futures Fellowship at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. He joined the O'Neill School in 2022 after research positions at Colorado State University's Department of Biology.

His academic credentials include:

• PhD in Soil Science, University of São Paulo (2015)
• MS in Bioenergy, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (2012)
• BS in Agronomy, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (2008)

Dr. Franco investigates how global environmental changes impact soil ecosystems across diverse biomes—from tropical rainforests to Antarctic regions—with particular focus on soil-plant interactions and the functional roles of soil organisms like nematodes, earthworms, and termites. His work bridges soil ecology with sustainability science to address climate change and land-use challenges.

Analysis of his 2019-2022 publications reveals consistent emphasis on soil biodiversity responses to precipitation variability, drought, and deforestation. These studies demonstrate how soil fauna mediate carbon cycling and biomass allocation across grasslands, Amazonian ecosystems, and polar regions, highlighting critical linkages between soil health and global change resilience.

His scientific recognition includes:

• International Presidential Fellow, Colorado State University (2017)
• Senior Global Futures Fellow, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory

As part of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, Dr. Franco contributes to interdisciplinary research on sustainable soil management and ecosystem responses to anthropogenic pressures, collaborating with international teams across multiple continents.