About

"Wilderness is quite profoundly a human creation" - William Cronon

I'm on a mission to improve ecosystem restoration. Since arriving at the University of Maryland in 2016 I've researched wetland mitigation methods focused on biogeochemistry. Partnered with the Maryland State Highway Administration, I have investigated the consequences of organic soil amendments. In some cases, they can be beneficial. However, more often than not there are few tangible benefits and sometimes even negative effects. I recently published the first review paper on this subject in Restoration Ecology.

 

My research focuses on applied methods so that there are immediate, real-world practical applications for his work. At this same time, I am probing the biogeochemical mechanisms that cause the effects we observe. Wetland construction requires monitoring microbial iron reduction, I invented an in-situ camera system for observing iron reduction in real-time – work recently published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal. One incentive for building mitigation wetlands is their potential carbon-sequestering ability but burying organic matter at their inception releases greenhouse gases, methane in particular. I am looking into not only the quantities of methane gasses that are released following construction, but also examining potential shifts in the microbial communities that generate methane.

 

Prior to pursuing a Ph.D. in microbial biogeochemistry, I was a professional Environmental Engineer for 20+ years. With that engineering background, my research questions aren’t just about if and how things work, but whether or not they are the most cost-effective methods and the best appropriation of resources. Perhaps organic soil amendments are effective, but would the money be better spent on improved hydrology or enhanced microtopography?

 

I am an Arizona native. Prior to moving to Maryland, I didn’t really believe there was such a thing as wet lands. I love the outdoors and am an avid hiker. Recently I completed a 7-day hike in the Grand Canyon off-trail – not for the faint of heart! I love environmental history and do a halfway decent Teddy Roosevelt imitation.