I am an ecologist focused on sustainable land management and restoration of a broad variety of ecosystems throughout the world. My research centers on land degradation and restoration issues including the ecological risks of fire mitigation treatments, drivers and biogeochemical responses to woody plant encroachment, forest decline and regeneration, and restoration of degraded dryland ecosystems. My current research includes projects on restoration of degraded rangelands and military lands across the Western U.S. and studies of vegetation dynamics of the Namib Desert of Namibia. In addition to my research, I am actively involved on a wide range of international science policy activities. I recently served as a coordinating lead author on the IPBES Global Land Degradation and Restoration assessment and currently serving a four-year position with the UNCCD Science Policy Interface group.
keywords
ecology, dryland ecology, land degradation, restoration,
EBIO 1020 - Introduction to Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021
Introduces students to EBIO. Provides an overview of the major and how it differs from other biology programs; how to get involved in clubs, research, and/or internship opportunities; strategies for succeeding in EBIO courses; and career options. This is a first-year colloquium course specifically designed for freshman and other students exploring their educational and career opportunities.
EBIO 4140 - Plant Ecology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2022
Examines the relationships between plants and their physical and biological environments, encompassing physiology, competition, plant-soil and plant-animal interactions, population dynamics, diversity, and influence on ecosystem function. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 (minimum grade C-).
EBIO 4460 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
Familiarizes students with specialized areas of biology. May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 (minimum grade C-). Same as EBIO 5460.
EBIO 4990 - EBIO Honors Thesis Research
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019
To be taken during the final academic year prior to graduation. Consists of the final phase of honors research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Recommended prerequisites: minimum 3.3 GPA and a declared EBIO major and approval by departmental Honors program.
EBIO 5460 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
Familiarizes students with specialized areas of biology. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Same as EBIO 4460.
EBIO 6100 - Seminar in Environmental Biology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022
May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Same as EBIO 6120.
EBIO 6950 - Master's Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Instructor consent required.
ENVS 4850 - ENVS Honors Thesis Research
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022
To be taken in final academic year prior to graduation. Consists of honors research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Department enforced restriction: Requires a minimum 3.3 GPA and a declared ENVS major and approval by departmental honors committee.
ENVS 5100 - Special Topics in Environmental Studies
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019
A variety of topics not currently offered in curriculum; offered depending on instructor availability and student demand. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours, provided the topics vary.
MCDB 5650 - Teaching and Learning in Undergraduate Science Courses
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018
Discusses recent research on how students learn and applications to the teaching of undergraduate science courses. Conducted as an interactive workshop, in which active-engagement in learning approaches are modeled and experienced by participants. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. May be used to fulfill the pedagogical training requirement for undergraduate Learning Assistants in upper division science courses. Post-doctoral and faculty auditors are welcome to participate as regular auditors.
