معرفی
Gregory S. Gilbert is a Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of California Santa Cruz, holding the Robert Headley Presidential Chair for Integral Ecology and Environmental Justice since 2021. He serves as Director of the UCSC Forest Ecology Research Plot and Faculty Director of the UCSC Campus Natural Reserve, with research associate status at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panamá.
His educational background includes:
- Postdoctoral Fellow at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panamá (1991-95)
- Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (1991)
- MSc in Plant Pathology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (1988)
- B.S. in Environmental & Forest Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1985)
Dr. Gilbert's research focuses on phylogenetic ecology and its applications for understanding biodiversity patterns. He specializes in plant-fungal interactions, particularly how evolutionary relationships influence disease dynamics in plant communities. His work spans tropical rainforests in Panamá and California's central coast forests, examining how phylogenetically close plant species share pathogens and how this knowledge can address environmental challenges including invasion biology, climate change impacts, and restoration ecology. He is also deeply committed to experiential and inquiry-based learning approaches.
His recent publications reveal a strong focus on phylogenetic disease ecology, with research spanning forest dynamics, plant-fungal interactions, and biodiversity-disease relationships. His work increasingly integrates large-scale collaborative efforts across multiple forest sites worldwide, examining how evolutionary relationships shape ecological patterns and processes. A notable trend is the application of phylogenetic principles to practical environmental problems including climate change adaptation and forest management.
Dr. Gilbert's scientific recognition includes:
- Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award (2013)
- UCSC Chancellor's Achievement Award for Diversity (2012)
- Elected Fellow, California Academy of Sciences (2010)
As an educator and mentor, Dr. Gilbert has directed the UCSC NSF GK-12 SCWIBLES Program, which trains PhD students and high-school teachers in inquiry-based learning. He has secured significant research funding including NSF DEB grants on phylogenetic disease ecology and USDA grants for developing phylogenetic tools for pest risk analysis. His leadership extends to the UCSC Forest Ecology Research Plot, which hosts dozens of forest ecology research interns annually.
Dr. Gilbert leads the UCSC Forest Ecology Research Plot (FERP), a 16-hectare mapped forest plot serving as a living laboratory in UCSC's mixed-evergreen forest. He co-directs the Center for Tropical Research in Ecology, Agriculture, and Development (CenTREAD) and has been instrumental in establishing the university's involvement in the ForestGEO global network for forest dynamics research.
