Research
My research focuses on understanding how fire and other disturbances shape forest dynamics, with an emphasis on fire-adapted ecosystems. I use statistical modeling, long-term ecological data, and geospatial analysis to investigate vegetation change, succession, and forest resilience in response to disturbance.
Research Philosophy Statement
My research focuses on understanding the long-term ecological dynamics of fire-adapted forests, particularly in the Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens and other disturbance-prone ecosystems. I investigate how fire suppression, climate change, and forest management shape vegetation structure, species composition, and microclimate resilience. By integrating field-based ecological research with statistical modeling, GIS, and remote sensing, my work provides insights that inform conservation and restoration strategies for fire-dependent landscapes.
I believe research should be both fundamental and applied, addressing key ecological questions while offering tangible solutions for land managers and policymakers. My work emphasizes long-term ecological monitoring, the use of data science in ecological modeling, and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into biodiversity conservation.
Research Areas & Key Projects
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Forest Structure & Fire Ecology
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Doctoral Research (SUNY ESF): Investigating the patterns and drivers of vegetation change in the Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens. My research examines how fire suppression has altered seedling recruitment, understory vegetation, and microclimate conditions, with implications for forest resilience.
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Collaborations with Brookhaven National Laboratory & The Nature Conservancy: Utilizing long-term datasets to assess fire history, canopy openness, and ecosystem responses to disturbance.
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Climate Change & Microclimate Resilience
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Microclimate Vulnerability Study: Examining the coupled effects of changing climate and forest structure on microclimate conditions in fire-prone forests.
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GIS & Remote Sensing Applications: Mapping temperature gradients and canopy cover changes across pine barrens to predict future climate impacts on vegetation.
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Biodiversity & Forest Resilience
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NSF-Funded Collaboration with Yale University (Panama Canal & STRI): Investigating the relationship between plant diversity and forest resilience in tropical forests. This work examines whether higher biodiversity translates to greater ecological stability in the face of global change.
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Community-Based Biodiversity Monitoring (Panama): Developed a framework for integrating community knowledge into long-term monitoring of remnant tropical dry forests.
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Applied Conservation & Ecological Management
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Environmental Impact Assessments (Panama): Conducted nationwide biodiversity assessments, relocated endangered species, and developed conservation strategies for large-scale development projects.
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Collaboration with the Onondaga Nation & NYS DEC: Assisted in vegetation surveys and GIS mapping to support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives
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Approach to Research & Mentorship
I view research as a collaborative and interdisciplinary endeavor. I actively engage in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, fostering their skills in ecological fieldwork, data analysis, and scientific communication. Through experiential learning and hands-on research, I aim to train the next generation of ecologists to think critically about environmental challenges and develop innovative solutions.
As part of my research philosophy, I prioritize:
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Long-term ecological studies to capture slow-changing processes in fire-adapted systems.
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Integration of cutting-edge data science methods (e.g., machine learning, Bayesian modeling) to improve ecological predictions.
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Application of research findings to real-world conservation through partnerships with land managers, policymakers, and Indigenous communities.
By combining fieldwork, quantitative analysis, and conservation applications, my research seeks to advance ecological knowledge while promoting sustainable management of fire-prone forests.