Environmental Studies Faculty

“My research interest is the boreal forest of Alaska and how it has changed over time due to human activity, fire, climate change, and natural cycles. My recent research combines spatial analysis and modeling using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to better understand human-fire interactions, in particular how humans are affecting fire frequency and extent.”

“My research examines the processes and consequences of policy change, with a focus on major environmental issues such as marine oil pollution, nature conservation, and wildland fires.  Every academic year there is an opportunity for one student research assistant to work with me on my research projects, with the work focusing on literature searches, editing, and the building of databases in the area of environmental management and policy.”

“My research program is focused on the impact of climate change on marine foundation species and is rooted in natural history, motivated by global change and conservation, and spans multiple scales, times, and disciplines. Climate change poses a major threat to foundation species and the important and diverse communities that they support. My work addresses questions surrounding: 1) understanding responses to climate stress by integrating processes, such as photosynthesis and nutrient cycling, across scales, 2) understanding community interactions and the role of foundation species, 3) documenting biodiversity and long-term change, and 4) collating larger trends in marine ecology through meta-analysis and reviews.”

“My major research interest is in the aquatic cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and other macroelements as mediated by plants and bacteria. I am especially interested in the nitrogen cycle, particularly denitrification, anammox, and nitrogen fixation, and how the relationships between plants and bacteria mediate these transformations. My work spans aquatic environments from wetlands and lakes to estuaries and the open ocean. More recently, students in my laboratory have been exploring the linkages between methanogenesis in wetland sediments and nitrogen cycling.”

“How can we create cities that are both socially just and environmentally sustainable?” This is the big question that permeates all my work. Much of my recent research has focused on controversial urban megaprojects. My research assistants at SUA have been able to contribute to two major reports outlining best practices for the redevelopment and redesign of major rail stations along California’s planned new high-speed rail corridor. Students also contributed to other recent published work focused on urbanization patterns across the Pacific Basin and on ‘right-to-the-city’ issues in Santa Monica, California.”