Research Interests

My research focuses on understanding how we can better restore and manage forest, woodland and savanna habitats within working and degraded landscapes to enhance biodiversity and inform conservation and sustainable land-use. Specific interests include:

• Developing sustainable management and land-use practices that secure the health and resilience of forested, woody and savanna landscapes
• Evaluating multi-tropic responses of wildlife to forest, woodland and savanna restoration and exploring the functional roles of wildlife in ecosystem restoration
• Assessing the effects of ecological and agricultural disturbance on habitats and wildlife – particularly, the use of fire as a restoration and management tool
• Informing and evaluating landscape-scale restoration approaches that integrate ecological, cultural and socio-economic perspectives

Having a background as a restoration practitioner, I am keen to bridge the gaps between science and practice by working collaboratively with community groups, agencies, NGO’s and other researchers. I seek to develop interdisciplinary research with direct practical application. I currently have ongoing projects located in the tropical savannas and forested lands of Beni, Bolivia and am working to expand my research agenda closer to home in the woody and forested landscapes of the US.

Teaching

ENR 5560 Dynamics of Ecosystem Restoration (2023 onward)

Prospective Students

I am currently seeking driven, self-motivated students looking to complete research in line with my areas of interest. I’d particularly like to hear from individuals with practical skills in one or more of the following areas (or similar) - habitat management, restoration, wildlife/habitat/ecological monitoring. Prospective students should contact me via email, providing a copy of their CV, college transcripts and a brief statement outlining (i) any key research interests or topics they’d like to pursue (ii) their future career goals; and (iii) how they feel their skills, experience, interests and aspirations would be a good fit for joining my lab.