Graduate Students

Advisor: Timothy Bartholomaus, Ph.D.

My research interests are climate change, glacier hydrology, glacier dynamics, and science policy application. I study the flow of water in seasonal snow and glaciers during the spring to get a better understanding of how early melting can affect glacier motion. Having a more detailed understanding of glacier hydrologic-dynamic coupling may help improve sea level rise estimates.

Advisor: Tim Bartholomaus
I am a master's student in the Glacier Dynamics Lab! My project involves analyzing seismic data to study glacial hydraulic tremors of Alaskan glaciers and throughout the world. I am also passionate about investigating how Western research can work alongside land-based knowledge and community values to strengthen our understanding of the natural environment.  I come from a geophysics background, so I am super excited to dust off the crampons (figurative and literal) and explore the ice! Being from Canada, I love all things snow, cold, and winter. Outside of the lab, I love to hike, climb, and ski tour with my dog, and can't wait to explore the Pacific Northwest. 

Advisor: Dr. Cassel and Dr. Bartholomaus

My research focuses on reconstructing the processes and conditions in ancient glacial environments by analyzing their sedimentary records. I study a large glacial valley in Alaska, where Quaternary glaciations saw glaciers as massive as those in Greenland and Antarctica shape the landscape. By unraveling the history beneath and in front of these ancient glaciers, I aim to provide insights into similar, yet less accessible, modern polar environments, and to predict how climate change may influence their sediment and meltwater contributions to the oceans.

Advisor: Renee Love

I am a M.S. candidate. I am interested in all things paleontology and have collected and prepared fossils for over 17 years. I am currently studying the trees of Morrison Formation and their indications for understanding the overall climate.

Advisor: Alistair M. S. Smith, Ph.D.

Roshan is a Geography Ph.D. student working with the Pyroecophysiolology Team. He has been examining the Impacts of Pre-Fire Fertilization Treatments on the Mortality and Post-Fire Productivity of Northwestern Pinus Timber Species. The study aims to understand how fertilization prior to wildfires influences tree survival rates and post-fire regeneration (how different pine species respond to fires). By analyzing nutrient dynamics and tree physiology, he explores how different fertilization regimes affect fire resilience, mortality, and subsequent forest productivity. His research provides valuable insights for forest management strategies aimed at enhancing the resilience of timber species in fire-prone regions. Roshan received his MS in Biology from Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK). And, he has prior M.Sc. in Watershed Management and B.Sc. in Forestry from Tribhuvan University, Nepal and Kumaun University, India respectively.

Advisor: Jeff Hicke

Kate Brings is an ecological geographer and her primary area of interest is in climate change ecology in sub-alpine ecosystems. Kate is particularly interested in stand risk assessments of Mountain Pine Beetle outbreaks, as means to understand and project how environmental factors associated with climate change have and will impact the magnitude and extent of insect outbreaks, and their impacts on the statuses of tree stands. Kate Brings received her B.S. in Environmental Science (Earth Sciences concentration) from the University of Portland, Portland, OR.

Advisor: Dr. Grant Harley 

Zachary is a Geography PhD student in the University of Idaho Dendrochronology Lab. His primary research focus is quantitative wood anatomy, using tree cells to develop climate reconstructions. Much of his research occurs in the Greater Yellowstone Ecoregion. Zachary received his BS and MS in Biology from the University of Alabama. When he is not coring trees, Zachary enjoys swimming and hiking.

Advisor: Alistair Smith, Ph.D.

I am interested in exploring the long-term effects on forest productivity after saplings are exposed to various levels of Fire Radiative Energy (FRE). This research includes using satellite spectral imagery to estimate the FRE dose and correlating that to post fire growth rates in several tree species with pre- and post-fire documented growth rates in several experimental forests. I am a retired Air Force engineering officer and I also race on the University of Idaho Cycling Team.

Advisor: Karen Humes

I am interested in geography education and its potential to heal divisions between groups of people. I believe understanding people’s environmental, cultural, and historical context can increase empathy and lessen fear of others. My research is looking at how a person’s life experiences and social influences affect their opinion of the importance of geography education.

Advisor: Erika Rader, Ph.D.
I am interested in volcanoes and understanding how they work and why they erupt. My current research is focused on using spectroscopy to examine the interaction of lava and water in Southeastern Idaho, then we hope to apply our findings to future studies of the Moon and Mars. I love getting out in the field and learning through hands-on experience. I am also passionate about geoscience education and sharing knowledge about the world around us. When I'm not in the lab or at school, I love to hike, camp, and explore new places with my family and dog.

Advisor: Eric Mittelstaedt, Ph.D.

I study the physical processes that shape the seafloor at and around mid-ocean ridges. Through the use of numerical modelling, my research contributes to the better understanding of tectonic and magmatic events at extensional plate boundaries, as well as planetary surface evolution.

Advisor: Grant Harley, Ph.D.

In the Idaho Tree Ring Lab, I am hoping to add a flavor of social sciences to the group by bringing together literature surrounding critical studies, botany, and dendrochronology. With this research, I am hoping to emphasize the importance of how dendrochronological research is produced. Outside of research, I enjoy getting involved in community activism, botanical education, and various outdoor activities!

Advisor: Dr. Renee Love
I am a paleobotanist with an interest in climate change and its impact on plant life through time. My research is focused on fossil leaves from the Idaho Clarkia Fossil Beds. With these exceptionally well-preserved fossils, I hope to create models that will better inform us about both past and future plant diversity. I am also very passionate about accessibility in academia and the geosciences. When I'm not working on beautiful old dead plants, I am reading fantasy novels, baking, or hanging out with my cats.

Advisors: Alex Vakanski, Haifeng (Felix) Liao

After completing my B.S. Mathematics, M.S. Statistical Science & M.S. Computer Science here at U of I, I now am currently working for Bureau of Labor Statistics as a mathematical statistician. I am currently finishing my M.S. in GIS (Geospatial Intelligence), focusing on geospatially tracking wage & industry changes over the covid years across the US states.

Advisor: Tim Bartholomaus

I am interested in the interactions between climate, glaciers, and landscape. My research centers on glacier surges, a phenomenon where some glaciers periodically accelerate to hundredfold their normal flow speed, before suddenly slowing down again. Glacier surges are spectacular to observe and could provide us with some clues towards the dynamics of unstable ice-flow.

Advisor: Grant Harley

In 2017 I dived headfirst into the world of dendrochronology and I continue to be utterly fascinated with the stories trees can tell. Much of my research uses tree rings to understand changes in hydrology at scales ranging from annual ring widths to individual cells. My current project explores how tree rings record extreme precipitation events and can be used to reconstruct hurricane frequency in the eastern U.S. When I am not staring longingly at trees, you can find me hiking or learning to play the drums.

Advisor: Karen Humes

I am a geospatial scientist interested in GIS, remote sensing, and modeling of hydrological and agricultural systems in present and future climates. My doctoral research centers around quantifying and modeling the water-energy-food nexus in the Pacific Northwest with special focus on the Snake River Plain.

Prior to my time at the University of Idaho, I earned my M.S. in Geography and B.S. in Geographic Information Science (meteorology cognate), both from the University of Oklahoma.

I currently am employed in the GIS industry as the GIS Coordinator for the City of Grants Pass, Oregon while simultaneously completing my degree program.

Advisor: Haifeng Liao, Ph.D.

My research interests are GIS with a focus on spatial modeling and remote sensing with a focus on digital image processing. My substantive interests include urban climate, urban forestry and land cover land use change. Currently, my research centers around urban tree canopy extraction using deep learning and quantifying the urban tree arrangement.

Advisor: Grant Harley

My research in the Idaho Tree-Ring Lab focuses on exploring volcanism in the Cascades through tree rings, searching for frequency and intensity of impact of regional and global eruptions on surrounding forest communities.

Advisor: Tom Williams, Ph.D.
My current Master’s research focuses on the metamorphic conditions and timeline of rocks on the continental side of the Salmon River Suture Zone near Elk City, ID. This work aims to address data gaps regarding the rock-forming conditions and timing related to the suture zone that connected island arc terrane to continental North America. Compositional data will also show what sort of rock types are common, and if those compositions change from accreted terrane into continental terrane (moving west to east).
I am passionate about geochemistry, hydrothermal processes, and structural geology, which will be the focus of my future PhD research!
My background also includes undergraduate research in volcanology and internship work in seismology."

Advisor: Erika Rader, Ph.D.

I study the shapes and colors of planetary surfaces to analyze the differences between volcanic features in satellite imagery. My current research is an analogue study between Earth and Mars to map the spatial, structural, and spectral relationships of lava flows to determine how lava is represented differently depending on how it contacts water. By studying how water interacts with lava, I seek to understand how past climates of Mars and other terrestrial bodies have been preserved alongside their ability to sustain liquid water, habitability, and potential life.

Advisor - Meng Zhao

My research focuses on the intricate relationship between hydrology and ecology, particularly how these dynamics influence climate, society, and policy-making. I aim to diagnose and enhance the simulation of plant-water relations within land models, using diverse  approaches. These include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Earth system modeling, and machine learning. By improving our understanding and simulation of these critical interactions, my work contributes to more accurate hydrological predictions and better-informed environmental policies.

Advisor: Meng Zhao

My research interests are the intersection between hydrology and ecology based on satellite remote sensing and Earth system modeling. My research now is to develop new estimates of ET using the new generation GRACE/GRACE-FO data and water balance approach.

Advisor: Erika Rader

I am intrigued by the application of remotely sensed spectral data in the field of volcanology, with a specific emphasis on its capacity to establish connections between surface characteristics and subsurface processes. I am particularly interested in its potential for monitoring volcanic hazards. My ongoing research is primarily concentrated on the investigation of two Alaskan volcanoes, namely Great Sitkin and Mount Veniaminof. I am looking at the compositional differences, glass vs. crystallinity content, and the distribution of alteration. These factors impact the explosivity and stability of a volcano. my goal is to study these trends and see how this relates to hazardous events such as dome collapse or mass edifice failure. My overarching goals are to determine and analyze any trends and how they connect to potential dome collapse or mass edifice failures.