Water, Soils and Environmental Systems

I am broadly interested in the effects of climate change and other stressors on wetland ecology. My research emphasizes the response of tidal marshes to climate change, especially sea-level rise and salt-water intrusion. Through field measurements, greenhouse experiments, and outdoor laboratory and field manipulations, I investigate how tidal marsh vegetation and the interactions between plants and animals respond to changing environmental drivers. In the field, I measure environmental parameters over time and correlate vegetation changes.

 Professional Experience:
August 2016 to present Associate Professor, University of Georgia
May 2008 to present: Assistant Professor, University of Georgia
2005- 2008: Joint Position: Research Assistant Professor, USC, Baruch Institute and Assistant Marine Scientist, SCDNR, MRRI, Charleston, SC
2001-2005: Research Assistant Professor, USC, Baruch Institute, Charleston, SC
2000-2001: Assistant Marine Scientist, SCDNR, MRRI, Charleston, SC
1998-2000: Postdoctoral Associate, Microbiology and Immunology, MUSC

Statement:

My research interests are focused in two general areas: 1)  impacts of forest management on soil properties and long- term site productivity and 2) utilization of forests and trees in waste recycling and site remediation. I teach a variety of courses ranging from a general course on the natural history of Georgia to courses on waste recycling to forests. I have strong interests in international programs and have been a leader developing programs with Brazilian colleagues.

Education and Employment

Prior Positions:
Manager of Silviculture Research and Technology Transfer, International Paper, 1999 to 2006.
Plantation Nutrition Project Leader, Union Camp Corporation, 1996 to 1999
Tropical Forestry Consultant, Zobel Forestry Associates, 1992 to 1995.
Silviculture Research Forester/Manager, Pizano, SA (Colombia) and Smurfit (Colombia and Venezuela), 1982 to 1992

I conduct trans-disciplinary investigations of water quality issues in collaboration with faculty from Crop and Soil Sciences, Ecology, Engineering, Entomology, Geography, Geology, Marine Sciences, and other programs. Investigators of water resource issues at the University of Georgia are broadly distributed across schools and disciplines. I am a member of IRIS - Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Studies and the RBC - Riber Basin Center. For more information on water programs at UGA, see the link below.