Darren R. Sandquist

Darren R. Sandquist is a Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the California Desert Studies Consortium at California State University, Fullerton. His research focuses on desert plant ecology, plant physiology, and biogeochemical processes in arid environments. He holds a PhD from the University of Utah and undergraduate degrees from Occidental College.

Key research areas include the evolution and ecology of plant physiological adaptations, application of stable isotopes in ecological studies, and invasive species management. He teaches courses on plant physiological ecology and desert ecosystems. Sandquist leads initiatives to enhance undergraduate research through field programs and collaborates on restoration projects targeting endangered species like the Santa Ana woolly star. His work integrates climate science, hydrology, and ecological monitoring to understand aridland ecosystem dynamics.

He has published extensively on topics such as drought responses in desert shrubs, ecohydrologic functions of ephemeral streams, and the impacts of climate variability on arid ecosystems. Sandquist’s research emphasizes linking ecological processes to global change drivers, with a focus on preserving biodiversity in threatened desert regions.