Travis William Drake

Dr. Travis William Drake is part of the Professorship for Sustainable Agroecosystems at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Science. He investigates terrestrial organic matter fluxes and greenhouse gas emissions from soils to aquatic systems, focusing on anthropogenic impacts like deforestation and agricultural expansion. His work addresses how land-use changes in regions such as the Congo Basin alter organic matter dynamics and climate-relevant gas emissions.

Education:

• PhD in Science, Florida State University (2015–2018)
• MSc in Science, University of Colorado Boulder (2011–2014)
• Bachelor of Arts, Carleton College (2006–2010)

Research interests include dissolved organic matter processing, aquatic outgassing of CO₂/CH₄/N₂O, and the effects of land-use changes on carbon transfer. His current project in the Congo Basin employs paired-watershed studies to quantify agricultural impacts on organic matter fluxes and gas emissions, contrasting with Amazon dynamics. Methodological innovations focus on improving whole-watershed process capture, particularly in headwater streams.

Scientific awards: None explicitly listed. Advising/Grants: No advisees listed; grants details not provided. Collaborations include work with Dr. Johan Six and the Congo Biogeochemical Observatory.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Sustainable Agroecosystems research group at ETH, contributing to field studies in Congo Basin lowland forests.