jczinnert@vcu.edu
Research interests:
My research centers on plant interactions with biotic and abiotic factors in the context of global change across spatial and temporal scales in coastal systems. The importance of sea-level rise, alterations in storm frequency, and temperature changes are at the forefront in explaining long-term changes in coastal plant communities. Trained as a plant physiological ecologist, I am interested in understanding the mechanisms responsible for individual species distributions under various environmental conditions to inform predictions for response to climate change. I approach questions at a variety of scales, working at the organismal level and across the landscape by combining cutting edge laboratory studies, field work, and remote sensing. I am co-PI at the Virginia Coast Reserve (VCR) Long-Term Ecological Researach (LTER) site. Current research includes 1) mechanisms of state change between grassland/shrubland, 2) functional composition and connectivity across the barrier island landscape, and 3) carbon dynamics in barrier island communities.
About me:
I am a creative person and spend much of my non-working time knitting, sewing, designing, gardening, and traveling while raising two wonderful children. I believe that science should be accessible to all people and that students have ideas that need to be heard. As an advisor I view myself as facilitator and work to empower students to recognize their own expertise, express their views, and find their passion for future career paths. Science is always evolving and there is no fixed path to achieving your goals. My students and post-docs contribute meanigfully to the direction and future of the Coastal Plant Ecology Lab.
Education:
B.S., Biology (2001)
M.S., Biology (2004), Virginia Commonwealth University
Ph.D., Integrative Life Sciences (2008), Virginia Commonwealth University
Dissertation: The relationship between lead optical properties and physiological responses for stress detection in coastal plant species
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Post-doctoral Reserch Fellow (2008-2009)
Research Biologist, US Army Corps of Engineers (2009-2013)
Professor of Biology, Senior Associate Dean of Finance and Administration
dyoung@vcu.edu
Research interests:
My research interests focus on the ecology of coastal plants, with a primary emphasis on woody species, especially those that form shrub thickets. A broad objective for my research is to understand the adaptive mechanisms for survival and success in coastal environments and the interplay of physical stresses and biotic interactions on the distribution of plants in coastal environments. Our projects have and continue to focus on specific environmental and biotic factors affecting the distribution of barrier island plants, successional processes in coastal environments, shrub expansion in coastal environments, ecological significance of coastal storms, ecology of coastal wetlands, control of invasive species in coastal areas, effects of salinity and flooding on plant ecophysiological processes, and restoration of coastal communities.
Education:
M.S., Botany (1979), University of Wyoming
Ph.D. Botany (1982), University of Wyoming
Post-doctoral Research Fellow (1983-1984), University of California Los Angeles
nnwoods@vcu.edu
Research interests:
I am broadly interested in mechanisms driving patterns of seedling recruitment in natural and disturbed environments. As native communities decline due to anthropogenic and climate induced disturbances, most areas experience a reduction in species richness with varying effects on community stability. As a plant community ecologist, my research emphasizes seed and seedling responses to resources by partitioning those resources that are under direct biotic control and those that are under abiotic control. Through examining abiotic and biotic factors that affect plant recruitment, I can anticipate community stability in the face of disturbance and if necessary to promote recruitment of target species. My current research includes: 1) environmental filtering at the scale of shrub microhabitats, 2) seed dispersal mechanisms of maritime forest tree species, and 3) salinity tolerance of maritime forest seed species.
Education:
B.S., Biology (2001)
M.S., Biology (2003), Jacksonville State University
Ph.D., Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology (2015), The Ohio State University
Dissertation: The relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors for seedling establishment in the Colorado Desert, CA
Biology Lecturer, The Ohio State University at Newark (2015-2016)
Visiting Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University at Newark (2016-2017)
Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow (2017-2018)
brownjk5@vcu.edu
Research Interests:
My research interests include trait-based plant community assembly and the use of trait-based ecology to understand coastal ecosystems across spatial scales. I am particularly interested in how complex biotic and abiotic interactions vary across stress gradients, leading to heterogeneous plant functional groups dictated by the amount of physical or biotic stress plants must tolerate. My PhD research will contribute to using trait-based ecological theory to decipher what complex and interacting factors influence coastal plant zonation.
Education:
B.S. Biology (2013), Virginia Commonwealth University
M.S. Biology (2016), Virginia Commonwealth University
woodlk@vcu.edu
Research interests:
My dissertation work focuses on shrub encroachment across the Virginia Coast Reserve and the associated changes in microclimate and community physiology. I am interested in fine scale community changes as well as broader consequences of thicketization on island productivity and nutrient and water availability.
Education:
B.S., Biology (2013), Appalachian State University
M.S., Biology (2016), Appalachian State University
Master's thesis: Title: Using an alevation gradient as a surrogate for climate warming to understand the effects on wood anatomy and water relations of fraser fir (Abies fraseri) Christmas trees
sinclairmn@vcu.edu
Research Interests: I am interested in how systems adapt to disturbance, and how communities change as a result of these disturbances and other factors. I am particularly interested in trade-offs of competition and facilitation during transition from grassland to shrub thickets on the barrier islands of the Viginia Coast Reserve.
Education: B.S. Natural Resources and Geology (2016), Northland College
Research Interests:
My research interests are in physiological ecology and restoration ecology. I am interested in understanding how plant species respond to biotic and abiotic factors, especially in response to climate change. My undergraduate research focused on how 2 grass species respond to changes in salinity and flooding.
Education:
B.S. Biology (2015), Virginia Commonwealth University
tuleypa@vcu.edu
Interests: I'm interested in food science, plant migration, climate change, and nutrient exchange. I like hammock camping, cooking, mornings, and ukulele.
Education: VCU B.S. Environmental Studies, 2018
dnholstein@vcu.edu
Research interests:
I am interested in barrier island ecology in response to climate change and disturbance. In particular, I want to predict how Virginia's barier ilsands will change, in terms of ecosystem services provided, in the coming decades and to better understand factors that influence barrier island resilience. I am also interested in outdoor activities, hanging out with my dog, and playing games (video, board, and RPG varieties).
Education:
B.A., Environmental Studies, Political Science (2012), Marietta College
Interests: I am interested in plant biochemistry, geochemical cycling, and the impacts of climate change. I have helped out with almost every current project in the Coastal Plant Ecology Lab and am excitedly managing a VCU funded collaborative project with Dr. Leigh McCallister on the fate of carbon in barrier islands at the Virginia Coast Reserve.
Education: B.S. Chemistry Anticipated 2019
baucomcm@vcu.edu
Interests: My interests range from physiological, successional, and community ecology to ecological conservation, paleoclimatology, urban sustainability, and more. I am fascinated by the natural world and passiontate about furthering our understanding as well as finding ways to mitigate anthropogenic disturbances. I am learning a lot about ecological resarch tenchniques and my current project focuses on intraspecific trait variation of coastal vegetation in reponse to nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment.
Education: Environmental Studies, Anticipated 2019
Interests: I am particularly interested in island and coastal ecology with a passion for species conservation and research, habitat restoration, and climate change related studies. I love to learn about marine habitats like intertidal zones, kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. Outside of VCU I educate myself on sustainable agriculture/living and hope to expand environmental stewardship in communities.
Education: B.S. Environmental Studies, Anticipated 2020