معرفی
Kate Lajtha is a Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University's College of Agricultural Sciences. Her research focuses on biogeochemical cycling in disturbed ecosystems, particularly nutrient dynamics, soil organic matter formation, and climate change impacts. She holds a Ph.D. from Duke University (1986) and a B.A. from Harvard University (1979), with prior academic positions at Boston University and Ohio State University.
Dr. Lajtha's research examines detrital controls on soil carbon, nitrogen attenuation in terrestrial ecosystems, and biogeochemical responses to environmental change. Her work integrates field experiments (like the long-term DIRT network) with molecular analysis to understand carbon stabilization mechanisms. Current investigations include wildfire impacts on soil carbon, climate gradient studies, and litter manipulation effects.
Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on soil carbon dynamics under changing climate conditions, with recent work exploring:
- Wildfire legacy effects on carbon persistence
- Root versus litter contributions to soil organic matter
- Climate-driven alterations in forest carbon pools
- Land management impacts on carbon sequestration
Awards & Honors:
- Fellow, American Geophysical Union (2020)
- ASLO John Martin Award (2018)
- Springer Woman Scientist of Merit (2013)
- R.M. Wade Teaching Excellence Award (2021)
- Murray Buell Award, ESA (1986)
She serves as Editor-in-Chief of Biogeochemistry and leads multiple committees for the American Geophysical Union. Dr. Lajtha co-founded OSU's sustainability degree program and teaches Environmental Ecology (BI 306H) and Introduction to Environmental Science (SUS 102).
