Leda Kobziar

Leda Kobziar is Professor of Wildland Fire Science and Director of the Master of Natural Resources program at the University of Idaho (College of Natural Resources, Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences). She leads research in fire ecology and pyroaerobiology - the study of microbial transport through wildfire smoke.

Her research examines fire's ecological impacts, including microbial dispersion via smoke plumes, prescribed burning techniques, and fuels management strategies. She pioneers the study of how wildfires transport viable microorganisms through smoke and their effects on ecosystems.

Her recent publications focus on atmospheric transport of microbes in smoke, wildfire impacts on microbial communities, and fundamental principles of fire ecology. These works establish new understanding of biological aspects of smoke and fire-ecosystem relationships.

Dr. Kobziar leads the Kobziar Fire Ecology Lab, advising graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. She directs federally funded projects including BioSmoke-Connect, investigating microbial connections between terrestrial and atmospheric systems during fires.