Dave Love

Dave Love is an Assistant Professor in the Biological Sciences Department at Snow College, Ephraim, Utah. He specializes in plant ecophysiology, focusing on how vascular plants respond to climate change-induced drought stress. His research combines fieldwork, experimental modeling, and data analysis to predict forest productivity and mortality risks.

Education:

• PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, University of Utah (2012-2018)
• B.S. in Biology with Environmental and Organismal Emphasis, University of Utah (2006-2012)

Research Interests: Climate change impacts on plant physiology, hydraulic conductivity, drought-induced mortality, stomatal response modeling, and subsurface water dynamics. His work bridges lab experiments, field observations, and theoretical models to understand plant survival strategies under environmental stress.

Recent Research Trends: Publications emphasize stomatal control mechanisms, xylem embolism repair, and hydraulic vulnerability in trees like aspen and conifers. Collaborative projects investigate leaf morphology-water use efficiency linkages and subsurface water subsidies in forest ecosystems.

Professional Experience: Postdoctoral fellowships at University of Alberta (2018) and University of Georgia (2018-2021), followed by his current faculty position since 2021. Active presenter at Ecological Society of America and American Geophysical Union conferences.

Teaching: Teaches courses in Biogeography, Environmental Biology, and Human Biology at Snow College, integrating field experiences with classroom learning.