معرفی
Ryan L. Sensenig is Professor of the Practice in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, where he focuses on fire and grazing ecology in grassland systems. He previously held leadership and faculty roles at Goshen College from 2007 to 2023, including Professor of Biology, Chair of Biological Sciences, and Director of the Environmental & Marine Science Program.
- Ph.D. in Ecology, University of California, Davis (2007)
- B.S. in Biology, Eastern Mennonite University (1992)
His research integrates fire ecology, herbivory, and restoration in both African savannas and Midwestern tallgrass prairies. Key areas include plant compositional dynamics, ant-plant mutualisms, and soil organic carbon sequestration. He emphasizes undergraduate involvement through collaborative field programs in Kenya and Indiana.
His recent publications reveal strong trends in fire-herbivore interactions, disturbance ecology, and carbon cycling in grasslands. Work spans long-term exclosure experiments, prescribed fire effects, and belowground dynamics using minirhizotrons. The research bridges applied rangeland management and fundamental ecological theory.
Sensenig has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text.
He actively mentors undergraduate researchers and integrates fieldwork into teaching, notably through a summer program engaging Kenyan and U.S. students. His work is supported by collaborative grants focused on grassland restoration and carbon sequestration, though specific grants are not listed. His leadership roles include directing the J.N. Roth Marine Biology Station and environmental science programs.
His research is conducted in collaboration with teams in Kenya and Indiana, particularly through the Kenya Long-term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE). These international, interdisciplinary teams study ecological disturbances and restoration, emphasizing experiential learning and cross-cultural scientific exchange.
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