Skip to main contentSkip to footer content
 

SUNY ESF
Recruiting New Graduate Students

Hydrologic Drought Characterization, Prediction and Forecasting

I am currently completing a NOAA Sectoral Applications Research Program (SARP) project entitled Developing drought triggers and indicators using the National Water Model: A case study to improve the U.S. Drought Monitor in support of the Northeast DEWS. In this project we are using output from NOAA's National Water Model to improve the characterization, prediction and forecasting of drought in the Northeastern US, a region which has experienced multiple droughts in the last 5 years. In addition, I was recently awarded a new NASA Modeling, Analysis and Prediction (MAP) grant entitled Multiscale coupled subsurface-atmosphere drought stress response: A hierarchical NU-WRF modeling and data assimilation study. This project will examine the coupling of land-atmosphere interactions during drought events, using NASA satellite assets for data assimilation and to constrain and assess evolving Land Information Systems. This work will involve advanced distributed hydrologic modeling techniques. I am particularly interested in working with students with strong computer science and applied statistics skills.

Urban Forest Ecosystem Service and Benefits

I recently completed a 4-year USDA Forest Service National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) award to assess the uncertainty of output from two components of the i-Tree toolset (www.itreetools.org), i-Tree Eco and i-Tree Hydro. i-Tree is a software product that characterizes urban forests and assesses their impact on the local environment and its inhabitants, including the ecosystem services they provide.  This project built off the i-Tree structure, with the goal to develop usable integrated tools that have a sound scientific backing.  In addition, this project developed a decision support system for planners and managers to better understand and plan for the impact of future changes in the urban forest canopy. I will continue to seek additional research funding involving urban forest ecosystem services and benefits. Students with strong computational skills (e.g. mathematical modeling, computer science, stochastic systems), and experience with and/or interest in atmospheric chemistry, forest biogenics, and/or urban hydrology are especially encouraged to apply. 

Water Resources & Ecological Engineering

I am also recruiting PhD, MS, and MPS students for graduate studies in the general areas of Water Resources and Ecological Engineering.  This experience will be a blend of course work and independent projects, research, or internships.  Students not attracted to the detailed projects outlined above are invited to consider projects in the areas such as integrated water resource management, hydrologic regionalization, green infrastructure, sustainability analyses, watershed resilience, and other topics of particular interest to the candidate.  While strong quantitative and communication skills are useful, of greatest importance are students with the interest and passion to address local-to-global environmental issues.  While our training is rigorous, we also provide a supportive environment for you to grow professionally and personally so that you can evolve into one of tomorrow’s environmental leaders. 
Environmental Science

I am also actively involved with the Graduate Program in Environmental Science (GPES) at SUNY ESF where I currently serve as Director. This programs provide a multidisciplinary approach to environmental understanding, problem solving and stewardship, and are ideal for students looking to obtain a broad perspective of environmental issues. I mentor students in two GPES Study Areas: Ecosystem: Land, Water and Air, and Climate & Energy. 

Undergraduate Student Research

I also encourage undergraduate students to participate in my research projects.  I am particularly looking for students with strong quantitative and computational skills who are self-motivated and able to work independently on research projects. Opportunities exist to collaborate with graduate students, researchers at other institutions, local professionals and our partners at federal, state, and local agencies. Typically these are paid positions.