Cassandra Zalman

Dr. Cassandra Zalman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University. Her research focuses on anaerobic microbial processes in wetland ecosystems, particularly examining fire ecology, methanogenesis, and carbon cycling dynamics.

• University of North Carolina Greensboro (MS)
• University of Florida (PhD)

Research Interests: Dr. Zalman investigates mechanistic regulators of anaerobic decomposition in wetlands, emphasizing microbial controls on methane and carbon dioxide production, fire impacts on soil biogeochemistry, and interactions between organic matter chemistry and microbial communities across peatland gradients.

Publication Trends: Her recent work highlights temperature sensitivity of peatland carbon storage, microbial succession post-wildfire, and electron acceptor dynamics in methane production. Studies span both temperate and arctic wetlands, integrating metabolomics and field experiments.