Thea Whitman

Thea Whitman is a Professor at the Department of Soil & Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on soil microbial ecology, carbon cycling, and the impacts of global environmental changes on soil systems.

• Primary Affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Research Expertise: Soil microbial ecology, fire effects on soil, carbon stabilization
• Methodologies: Stable isotopes, microbial community analysis, field experiments

Her work examines how pyrogenic organic matter (biochar) interacts with soil microbial communities to influence carbon sequestration. Key themes include:

• Fire-induced soil carbon dynamics
• Microbial community assembly post-disturbance
• Management impacts on soil health
• Policy implications for carbon accounting
• Role of mineral-soil interactions
• Long-term ecological resilience

The most recent publications highlight experimental approaches to wildfire simulation, microbial responses to pyrogenic carbon, and the use of biochar for climate change mitigation. Her studies span boreal forests, agricultural systems, and soil microbiome engineering.

She leads the Whitman Lab and can be contacted at twhitman@wisc.edu. Her research integrates laboratory experiments with field studies across diverse ecosystems.