Find Academic Supervisors

Craig Davis is a Professor and holds the Bollenbach Chair in Wildlife Management at Oklahoma State University's Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management. He has been a faculty member since 2001, advancing from Assistant Professor (2001-2007) to Associate Professor (2007-2012), and has served as Bollenbach Chair since 2014. Davis earned his PhD in Wildlife Science from Texas Tech University (1996), an MS from Iowa State University (1991), and a BS from Ohio State University (1988). He is also a Certified Wildlife Biologist through The Wildlife Society. His research focuses on avian ecology, wetland restoration, and gamebird management, with specific interests in fire-grazing interactions, invertebrate communities, and climate change impacts on ecosystems. Key areas include grassland bird survival, wetland classification systems, and the effects of anthropogenic development on wildlife habitats. Davis actively collaborates with conservation organizations and agencies, addressing challenges like invasive species management and water infrastructure resilience. Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate courses on Wildlife Management Techniques and Wetland Ecology, as well as graduate courses like Advanced Wetland Ecology. His grants emphasize wetland restoration outreach, climate adaptation strategies, and studies on northern bobwhite and wild turkey populations. Notable projects include evaluating cellular transmission technology in wildlife monitoring and assessing the impact of extreme weather on gamebird survival. Grants (Selected): Expansion of potential wetland restoration opportunities in Oklahoma (2024-2027) Linking Research and Stakeholder Engagement for Wetland Conservation (2024-2026) Effects of Extreme Weather and Hunting on Northern Bobwhite (2023-2025) Research Themes: Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 15 (Life on Land), 13 (Climate Action), 6 (Clean Water), 11 (Sustainable Cities), 14 (Life Below Water), and 9 (Industry/Infrastructure).

• Avian Ecology and Management
• Terrestrial and Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology
• Wetland Ecology and Assessment
• +6 more

Mary K. Firestone is Professor of the Graduate School in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley. Her research revolutionized understanding of soil microbial processes, particularly oak regeneration techniques and microbial mediation of carbon/nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Firestone's work examines microbial responses to environmental change, including drought, rewetting, and warming scenarios. Her lab develops innovative methods like quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) to trace microbial activity in complex soil environments. Research spans grassland, rangeland, and agricultural ecosystems. Honors include election to the National Academy of Sciences (2017), Soil Ecology Society Career Achievement Award (2017), and American Geophysical Union Fellowship (2016). She holds the Betty and Isaac Barshad Chair in Soil Sciences. Current PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers in the Firestone Lab investigate viral-bacterial interactions in soil, mycorrhizal carbon transfer, and drought impacts on soil carbon persistence. Field studies at California's Hopland Research Center examine grassland responses to climate variability.

• Soil Microbial Ecology
• Carbon Cycling
• Nitrogen Cycling
• +2 more

Dr. Gary Brewer is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a 60% research and 40% teaching appointment. He has served as department head at NDSU (1997-2006) and UNL (2006-2018). His research focuses on field crops entomology, IPM of pasture cattle flies, salt creek tiger beetle conservation, and pollinator health. He has pioneered a push-pull strategy using coconut oil-derived repellents and led curriculum design for Rwanda’s Conservation Agriculture program. Education: B.S. in Zoology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1974) M.S. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1978) Ph.D. in Entomology, Kansas State University (1984) Research Interests: Brewer’s work spans insect ecology, pest management, and conservation. Key areas include stable fly and horn fly control, pollinator protection, and endangered species recovery (e.g., Salt Creek tiger beetle). His lab develops natural product-based pest repellents and evaluates biopesticides for sustainable agriculture. Grants & Contributions: $362,150 USDA grant for undergraduate research in beneficial insect protection (2018) $325,000 USDA grant for multi-tactic stable fly control (2017) NE Game and Parks funded salt creek tiger beetle reintroduction programs Labs & Teams: Brewer’s team collaborates with industry (e.g., Vestergaard Frandsen) and international partners to advance IPM strategies. His work bridges field research with applied solutions for farmers and conservationists.

• Field Crops Entomology
• Insect Ecology
• Insect Pest Management
• +3 more

Eric Slessarev is an Assistant Professor at Yale University , affiliated with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture. His research focuses on soil biogeochemistry, particularly how soil properties influence carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, with applications to climate change mitigation strategies like enhanced rock weathering and perennial grass cultivation. Teaches Ecology of Landforms and General Ecology Labs located at KGL 318 (research) and KGL 417 (office) His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding mineral-organic matter interactions, microbial controls on carbon cycling, and policy implications for soil-based carbon removal strategies. Key methodologies include global data synthesis, isotope tracing, and experimental manipulation of soil-plant systems across depth profiles. Notably, his 2025 work demonstrates drought impacts on carbon persistence, microbial harnessing for CO2 removal, and economic modeling of reversible carbon storage. 2024 studies explore deep-rooted plant effects on carbon fractions, calcium's role in mollisol formation, and policy optimization for carbon sequestration.

• Soil Science
• Biogeochemistry
• Carbon Sequestration
• +3 more

Mary Lou Zeeman is the R. Wells Johnson Professor of Mathematics at Bowdoin College, specializing in geometric dynamical systems, mathematical biology, and climate modeling. Her work bridges theoretical mathematics with real-world applications in ecology, sustainability, and neuroendocrinology. Education: PhD in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley; MA and BA in Mathematics from the University of Oxford. Research focuses on population dynamics, resilience in ecosystems, and interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability. She co-leads initiatives like the Mathematics and Climate Research Network (MCRN) and contributed to the Mathematics of Planet Earth (MPE) 2013 initiative. Her teaching includes Biomathematics (MATH 1758/BIOL 1175) and Multivariate Calculus (MATH 1800). Key contributions include modeling hormone oscillations in the menstrual cycle, climate change impacts, and fisheries management policies. Her work emphasizes decision-support frameworks for environmental challenges. Grants and collaborations span NSF-funded projects on computational sustainability and climate change research, reflecting her commitment to applied interdisciplinary science.

• Geometric Dynamical Systems
• Mathematical Biology
• Population Dynamics
• +3 more

Lara A. Souza is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. Her research focuses on global change impacts on plant communities and ecosystem processes, including climatic change, biological invasions, and resource gradients. She investigates how biodiversity mediates ecosystem properties like productivity and carbon dynamics across spatial and temporal scales, working in temperate prairies, tropical savannas, and montane meadows. Education: PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (University of Tennessee), MS in Biology (Appalachian State University). Her work integrates field experiments, remote sensing, and data modeling to address global change challenges. She holds no explicit scientific awards listed here but has an extensive publication record. Research emphasizes functional diversity and ecosystem responses to global stressors. Recent studies explore fire exclusion effects, drought impacts, and warming interactions with plant communities. She collaborates on projects involving environmental DNA for endangered species detection and satellite-based ecosystem modeling. No advising or grant details are provided in the text. Lara’s lab focuses on climate-ecosystem interactions, with ongoing projects in Oklahoma and tropical regions. Her work highlights the need for adaptive management strategies in the face of climate shifts and invasive species pressures.

• Plant Communities
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Global Change Biology
• +3 more

Miguel Castillo is an Associate Professor in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department at North Carolina State University (NC State), leading the Forage & Grassland Program and serving as Grassland Science Specialist. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Florida and an MBA from NC State. His work focuses on improving ecosystem services in agricultural and pasture-based livestock systems through integration of silvopasture, agroforestry, and advanced technologies like near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for management decisions. Dr. Castillo's education includes a B.S. in Plant and Animal Sciences from Zamorano University (2006), followed by M.S. and Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Florida (2009, 2013). His research spans international collaborations in tropical/sub-tropical environments, with expertise in forage crop management, bioenergy grasses, and sustainable livestock systems. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Research Interests: Forage-Livestock Systems Optimization Silvopasture Development Bioenergy Crop Production NIRS Applications in Agriculture Pasture-Based Livestock Management Climate Resilient Forage Crops Recent work emphasizes NIRS for rapid forage quality analysis, evaluating new bermudagrass cultivars, and advancing silvopasture systems in the southeastern U.S. and Peruvian Amazon. His publications address topics like poultry litter impacts, switchgrass management post-freeze, and frost-seeding clover into tall fescue pastures. Grant-supported research includes USDA-funded projects on forage conservation techniques and bioenergy crop development. He advises graduate students on forage systems and collaborates with industry partners on applied agronomic solutions. Labs/Teams: Directs the Forage & Grassland Program at NC State, collaborating with USDA and international research networks. Active in extension programs, publishing guides on forage management, hay production, and silvopasture implementation.

• Forage Science
• Grassland Management
• Silvopasture Systems
• +4 more

Jason Henderson is a Professor of Soil Science in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut's College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. His research focuses on developing sustainable turfgrass management practices through innovations in pesticide-free techniques, soil modification, and root zone assessment. Dr. Henderson holds a PhD in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University. Research Interests: His work encompasses turfgrass establishment optimization, laboratory methods for evaluating root zone constituents, and innovative approaches to enhance turf performance under traffic stress. Current projects investigate organic management systems, soil physical properties, and environmental sustainability in turf settings. Teaching: Dr. Henderson instructs courses including Introduction to Soil Science (SAPL 300), The Great American Lawn (SPSS 1060), and Advanced Turfgrass Management (SPSS 3150).

• Pesticide-free management methods
• Turfgrass establishment techniques
• Soil modification
• +2 more

Nathan Sayre is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Berkeley, where he researches environmental geography, political ecology, and rangeland management. His work critically examines how landscapes are governed, commodified, and studied, with a focus on the interplay between capital, state power, and scientific knowledge. He specializes in rangelands—covering 45% of Earth's land surface—using archival, ethnographic, and interdisciplinary methods to address conservation challenges and socio-ecological dynamics. Education: Ph.D., University of Chicago (1999) Research spans seven key areas: (1) Scale and political economy, exploring capitalism's spatial dynamics; (2) Historical critiques of environmental limits (e.g., carrying capacity); (3) Science and technology studies in rangeland science; (4) Historical-political ecology of North American landscapes; (5) Rangeland sustainability and marginality; (6) Community-based conservation; and (7) Cannabis legalization impacts. Current projects include California cannabis regulation effects, a food-environment textbook, and the 1861–65 California mega-flood/drought as a climate-political case study. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on rangeland socio-ecology, scale theory, and conservation governance, with recent work emphasizing climate adaptation, ecosystem services, and cannabis industrialization. Articles frequently integrate historical analysis with critiques of policy and scientific practice. Awards: CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award (2017) for The Politics of Scale He teaches courses including GEOG 130 (Food and the Environment), GEOG 203 (Nature and Culture), and GEOG 220 (Capital, Value, and Scale), emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues. As part of UC Berkeley's Cannabis Research Center, he investigates rural impacts of cannabis legalization.

• Environmental Geography
• Political Ecology
• Rangeland Ecology
• +5 more

Hannah van Zanten is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Global Development at Cornell University and an Associate Professor at Wageningen University’s Farming Systems Ecology group. She leads the circular food systems project, focusing on sustainable food production within planetary boundaries. Her research emphasizes integrating livestock systems into circular economies to reduce environmental impacts while ensuring food security. Dr. van Zanten holds a Master’s (2009) and PhD (cum laude) in Animal Sciences from Wageningen University. She developed the CiFoS model for co-designing circular food systems and has received prestigious grants including the NWO VENI and Global FoodShot Prize. Her work bridges environmental science, agricultural policy, and stakeholder collaboration to advance global food system sustainability. Key research areas include protein cycles, livestock system optimization, and circular bioeconomy principles. Her studies explore innovative feed sources (e.g., black soldier fly larvae) and policy frameworks for transitioning to sustainable diets and reducing agricultural dependencies on soy and other resource-intensive inputs. Scientific awards include the NWO Talent Scheme grant (VENI) for assessing animal roles in circular systems and the 2021 Global FoodShot Prize for food system innovation. She advises on EU food policies and collaborates internationally to align food systems with Sustainable Development Goals.

• Circular Food Systems
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Environmental Sustainability
• +3 more

Dr. Bok Sowell is a Professor in the Department of Animal & Range Sciences at Montana State University, affiliated with the College of Agriculture. His expertise spans rangeland ecology, wildlife habitat conservation, and livestock nutrition. He holds a Ph.D. in Range Nutrition from New Mexico State University (1989), an M.S. in Mule Deer Nutrition from Texas Tech University (1981), and a B.S. in Wildlife Management from New Mexico State University (1978). Research focuses on sagebrush ecosystems, sage-grouse conservation, grizzly bear behavior, and livestock grazing management. Notable projects include studies on fence modifications for sage-grouse nest survival, stable isotope analysis of army cutworm moths, and dormant season grazing strategies for beef cattle. Teaching includes courses like Natural Resource Conservation and Wildlife-Livestock Nutrition . Over 35 peer-reviewed articles highlight contributions to rangeland ecology and wildlife management. Awards include the 2024 Founder's Day Award for Excellence and recognition for academic advising. Grants include funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for sagebrush landscape management. Professional service includes roles with the Society for Range Management and Ecosphere journal. He leads efforts to restore aspen ecosystems and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

• Rangeland Ecology
• Wildlife Habitat Conservation
• Sagebrush Ecosystems
• +3 more

Theresa Ong is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College , where she investigates the complexity of coupled human-natural systems, particularly in agriculture and urban ecosystems. Her research integrates agroecology, complex systems theory, and theoretical ecology to analyze how agricultural systems maintain stability under social and environmental stressors. Education: B.A., Williams College M.S., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Research Interests include agroecology, urban agriculture, biocomplexity, biological control, critical transition theory, socio-ecological modeling, and non-linear dynamics. She focuses on how spatial, temporal, and species diversity (biocomplexity) affects the resilience of agricultural systems to ecological and political disturbances. Recent Publications highlight trends in agroecological transitions, urban biodiversity dynamics, climate adaptation in agroforestry, and mathematical modeling of ecological resilience. Her work frequently explores the interplay between human activities and ecological feedback mechanisms. Scientific Awards: NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2017 Lab: The Ong Lab studies complex adaptive systems like agriculture, where human impacts on ecosystems create feedback loops affecting society. Current projects examine spatial patterns, consumer-resource dynamics, and strategies to prevent ecological tipping points.

• Agroecology
• Urban Agriculture
• Biocomplexity
• +5 more

Simanti Banerjee is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she joined in August 2014. She previously served as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Economics Department at Oberlin College (2013-14) and as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Stirling in Scotland UK (2010-13). She earned her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University in 2010. Her research focuses on analyzing coordination within groups, inter-personal bargaining, and the impact of information, communication and social networks on human decision making. She uses experimental and behavioral economic methods to study conservation policies, technology adoption, and decision making under risk & uncertainty. Her work has been funded by grants from USDA and NSF, and she has established the Behavioral and Experimental Economics Lab (BEEL) at UNL. Professor Banerjee teaches Environmental & Natural Resource Economics (AECN-NREE 265) at the undergraduate level and co-teaches Behavioral & Experimental Economics (AECN 818) at the graduate level. Her publication record shows consistent research in spatial coordination, conservation auctions, behavioral economics, and agricultural policy, with a particular emphasis on how information and communication affect environmental decision making in agricultural contexts. Her recent work has increasingly focused on regenerative ranching practices, soil health, and ecosystem services valuation. She has received significant research funding from USDA and NSF to support her work on environmental and agricultural economics. Her collaborative network includes researchers from multiple institutions across the United States and internationally. Professor Banerjee has advised numerous graduate students, including current PhD candidates Abdelmalek Hammami, Hanin Hosny, and Diya Ganguly, as well as MS students. Her research program demonstrates a strong commitment to understanding how economic principles can be applied to solve environmental challenges in agricultural settings.

• Experimental Economics
• Behavioral Economics
• Environmental Economics
• +5 more

Yeyin Shi is an Associate Professor and Agricultural Intelligence Engineer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Biological Systems Engineering. His research focuses on applying artificial intelligence and remote sensing technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. He teaches courses such as AGST 316: Technologies and Techniques for Digital Agriculture and AGEN/AGRO/AGST 431/892: Site-Specific Crop Management. He holds a Ph.D. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering from Oklahoma State University (2014), an M.S. (2010), and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Nanjing Forestry University (2007). Research Interests: Agricultural data generation/analysis, remote sensing systems (satellite/UAV-based), crop stress sensing, precision crop management, and high-throughput phenotyping. His work bridges machine learning, robotics, and agronomy to address challenges in sustainable farming practices. Recent projects include maize tassel detection via deep learning, UAV-based weed detection, and nitrogen stress indices for maize using hyperspectral imagery. Awards: ASABE Outstanding Manuscript Reviewer (2015), 1st Place Postdoc Research Poster (2015), 2nd Place Student Robotic Competition (2012) Grants: Active collaborations on USDA-funded projects for precision agriculture and phenotyping Labs/Teams: Leads the Agricultural Intelligence Research Group at UNL, focusing on AI-driven agricultural solutions His research emphasizes scalable solutions through edge computing and cloud-based frameworks for irrigation scheduling and crop monitoring, aiming to optimize resource use in both row crops and livestock systems.

• Agricultural Remote Sensing
• Precision Agriculture
• High-throughput Phenotyping
• +4 more

James W. Bartolome is Professor of Rangeland Ecology at UC Berkeley, focusing on Mediterranean-type savanna ecosystems and rangeland conservation. His research examines interactions between woody plants, herbaceous vegetation, and grazing animals across ecological scales. Current projects investigate how environmental factors and management practices influence biomass productivity, vegetation structure, and water quality in grasslands. Research outputs demonstrate novel methodologies for monitoring grassland community responses and highlight how properly managed livestock grazing can enhance native plant recovery without degrading water quality. Comparative studies of Mediterranean ecosystems worldwide provide insights into native species enhancement through modified grazing and burning regimes. Educational contributions include graduate seminars in Range Ecology and Ecosystem Planning.

• Rangeland Ecology
• Savanna Ecosystems
• Grassland Management
• +3 more