Lab Director
|
Ashley Schulz, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, Arkansas State University M.S. in Forest Resources, University of Georgia B.S. in Forestry, University of Missouri-Columbia Ashley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry at Mississippi State University. Her research interests broadly include forest ecology and forest health, with a focus on prevention and management of forest disturbances. Outside of research and teaching, she enjoys reading science and historical fiction, crafting (sculpting, woodworking, & painting), and taking nature photos.
|
Graduate Students
|
Elizabeth Esser
B.S. in Ecology, University of Georgia B.S. in Genetics, University of Georgia Dissertation: "Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) ploidy distribution and novel method of control in the southeastern United States"
Elizabeth joined the lab in August 2022 and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Forest Resources. Her research interests include invasion ecology, forest restoration, and molecular ecology. Before coming to Mississippi State, she founded an organization to help address the issue of invasive species in Athens, GA. Outside of research, Elizabeth enjoys gardening, hiking, and embroidery. |
|
Drew Williams
B.S. in Forestry, Mississippi State University Dissertation: "From municipalities to the nation: an inventory and assessment of planning and policy documents to improve long-term management of urban and community forests"
Co-advised with Dr. Joshua Granger Drew joined the lab in January 2024 and is pursuing his Ph.D. in Forest Resources. His research interests include urban forestry and arboriculture. Before coming back to Mississippi State, he worked as a professional arborist for Bartlett Tree Experts in Savannah, Georgia. |
Undergraduate Researchers
|
Chris Jacobson
Undergraduate Research Project: "Analyzing annual and interannual growth trends in mid-rotation loblolly pine post-prescribed fire using dendrochronology" Co-advised with Dr. Adam Polinko Chris is a senior in the forestry program at Mississippi State. He started working on his project in August 2023. Chris is an active member and leader in the Mississippi State Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters and Xi Sigma Pi. |
|
Dakota Parish
Undergraduate Research Project: "A vascular flora of prairie remnants and tupelo swamp along Hatchapaloo Creek in Simpson/Smith County, Mississippi" Co-advised with Dr. Joshua Granger Dakota is a senior in the Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture program at Mississippi State. He is working on his project in 2024-2025. He is an avid botanist and zoologist who has contributed 14,000+ observations of 3,000+ species in iNaturalist. |
|
Evan Moore
Undergraduate Research Project: "Improving Leyland cypress (Cupressus × leylandii) propagation and production strategies within the Gulf Coast " Co-advised with Dr. Esteban Galeano and Dr. Joshua Granger Evan is a senior in the forestry program at Mississippi State. He has been working on this project since August 2023. Evan loves learning about forest management and history. |
|
Your picture here?
If you're interested in joining the lab, please check out the "Information for Prospective Lab Members" tab on the "Home" page. |
Graduate Student
|
Thesis: "An assessment of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) mortality and the impact of habitat fragmentation on southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman) infestation in Mississippi, USA"
Damilola joined the lab in January 2022 and finished her M.S. in Forestry in December 2023. Her research interests include forest restoration, disturbance ecology, and resource management. She started her Ph.D. with Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd-Shields in the Dept. of Sustainable Bioproducts at Mississippi State University in January 2024. |
Undergraduate Researchers
|
David Green
REU Research Project: "Stand structure and composition of introduced species in the Mississippi State University Arboretum" Co-advised with Dr. Joshua Granger David was an undergraduate researcher in the summer 2024 Ecology and Management for Resilient and Adapted Forests NSF REU program. He is a rising sophomore in the forestry program at Alabama A&M University, and aspires to be a wildland firefighter. |
|
Devin Mabry
REU Research Project: "Stand structure and composition of native species in the Mississippi State University Arboretum" Co-advised with Dr. Joshua Granger Devin was an undergraduate researcher in the summer 2024 Ecology and Management for Resilient and Adapted Forests NSF REU program. He just graduated from Coahoma Community College in May 2024, and is starting as a junior in the Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture program with a concentration in Wildlife Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University. |
|
Sasha Goodnow
REU Research Project: "Impacts of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) evapotranspiration in the Homochitto National Forest" Co-advised with Dr. Yun Yang Sasha was an undergraduate researcher in the summer 2024 Ecology and Management for Resilient and Adapted Forests NSF REU program. She is a senior in the environmental sciences program at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and an amazing and talented artist based out of Columbia, MO. |
|
Ian Burke
B.S. in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University Undergraduate Research Project: "Comparison of the effects of phytophagous insect incidence and impact on leaves of native versus introduced woody plant species in Mississippi, USA" Co-advised with Dr. Joshua Granger Ian completed their project from 2023-2024 and graduated in May 2024. Ian is now working as a research technician in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University. |
|
Grant Peterson
B.S. in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University Undergraduate Research Project: "A checklist and species distribution of the woody flora of Scattertown Trail in Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi, USA" Co-advised with Dr. Joshua Granger Grant completed his project from 2023-2024 and graduated in May 2024. He will be starting graduate school at Yale University in Fall 2024. |
|
Jack Fair
B.S. in Forestry, Mississippi State University Undergraduate Research Project: "A dendrochronological study of long-term tree growth trends in John W. Starr Memorial Forest" Co-advised with Dr. Adam Polinko Jack completed his project from 2022-2023 and graduated in May 2023. He is currently working for the USDA Forest Service in Alaska. |
Mississippi State University, Department of Forestry, Thompson Hall, Box 9681, Mississippi State, MS 39762
The views and opinions expressed on this website are not endorsed by and do not reflect the views of Mississippi State University. The contents of this website have not been reviewed or approved by Mississippi State University.
The views and opinions expressed on this website are not endorsed by and do not reflect the views of Mississippi State University. The contents of this website have not been reviewed or approved by Mississippi State University.