John Drake

John Drake is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF). His research focuses on plant physiology and ecosystem ecology, particularly the physiological mechanisms underlying tree function and their scaling to ecosystem processes under climate change. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois (2010) in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology and a B.S. from Hope College (2005) in Biology. Prior roles include Research Fellow and Postdoc positions at institutions like the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment and Boston University.

His work emphasizes tree responses to temperature and water availability, including photosynthetic acclimation, carbon allocation, and stable isotope analysis. He leads the Drake Lab, which investigates tree ecophysiology and forest resilience. Current advisees include Sofia Arreaga (MS), Leslie Morrison (PhD), Jacob Olichney (PhD), and Taylor Wegner (MS). Notable grants include studies on New York forest responses to environmental change and climate resilience strategies for American chestnut restoration.

Dr. Drake has received the University Distinguished Fellow award and contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed publications since 2007. His lab supports interdisciplinary research on forest carbon dynamics, soil-microbe interactions, and climate adaptation, with projects funded by agencies like the USDA and SUNY-ESF.