Current Student Fellows
Diana Mullich
Diana's research interests center on the ecology of re-colonization of disturbed habitats relative to source/sink populations, behavioral ecology, forest restoration ecology, herpetology, and population genetics. She is investigating the effects of forest management practices on herpetofaunal assemblages, abundance, and diversity. To evaluate the effects of thinning, prescribed burns, and natural disaster on these populations, she will conduct mark-recapture surveys accompanied with dietary analysis achieved via gut flushes, genetic analyses to assess relatedness amongst populations, and stress response of individuals relative to treatment/handling.
Megan Overlander
Megan is studying how forest restoration practices, including burning and thinning, interact with tree species to influence litter decomposition rates and microbial communities in soils.
Ann Rasmussen
Ann's research is investigating influences of forest management practices on community composition and functioning of mycorrhizal fungi.
Former Student Fellows (graduated in 2010)
Anjel Craig
Anjel's research in our program focused on the impact of forest restoration treatments on ectomycorrhizal fungal community composition and diversity. Anjel graduated with her Master of Science in Biology degree in December, 2010.
Erynn Maynard
Erynn's research in our program sought to reveal the effects of forest restoration treatments on forest understory grasses. Erynn graduated with her Master of Science in Biology degree in December, 2010. Results from her research project were published in the journal Restoration Ecology in July, 2012 (link).
Anthony Rietl
Anthony's research in our program investigated how bacterial communities, and the ecosystem processes to which they contribute, respond to forest restoration treatments. Anthony graduated with his Master of Science in Biology degree in December, 2010, and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University. Results from his Master's research project were published in the journal Soil Biology & Biochemistry in July, 2012 (link).
Jason Ryndock
Jason's research in our program focused on the effects of forest restoration treatments on understory spider communities. Jason graduated with his Master of Science in Biology degree in August, 2010, and is now working as an Environmental Review Specialist for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, working jointly with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. A manuscript describing the results of his research was the cover article in the January, 2012 issue of the journal Restoration Ecology (link).