Lab Members
Principal Investigator
Tim Assal, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Geography
McGilvrey Hall, Office 437
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Tim is a biogeographer, landscape ecologist, and applied remote sensing scientist studying the effects of disturbance on forest and shrubland ecosystems. He combines field studies, satellite sensors, and computer modeling to identify when, where and why change took place – typically through a measure of the rate and pattern of environmental change. His primary goal is to provide sound science to both resource managers and policy makers to help shape ecosystem management and conservation as we move into an uncertain future. Prior to his current appointment, he spent a number of years working as an applied Research Ecologist at the United States Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center where he maintains a number of collaborations. He is also an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Anthropology & Geography Program at Colorado State University.
Graduate Students
Stephanie Burkey
M.S. student, Geography
Stephanie is interested in using GIS and spatial analysis to aid in wildlife conservation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Conservation Biology with a minor in GIS from Kent State. She worked at various national parks before returning for her master’s.
Hannah Trommer M.S. student, Geography
Hannah is interested in climate change and its effects on various ecosystems and how we manage natural resources. She enjoys GIS and remote sensing and learning how they apply to the study of environmental change and conservation efforts. Hannah holds a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology from Kent State University.
Undergraduate Students
Nae Gizzo
B.S. student, Biology
Nae is working with other undergraduate students to date Atlantic White cedar tree cores (dendrochronology project) and determine if dead samples can be cross-dated. They’ll also assist with geospatial related tasks in the near future.
Ana Murray B.S. student, Geography
Ana is working with other undergraduate students to date Atlantic White cedar tree cores (dendrochronology project) and determine if dead samples can be cross-dated. She’ll also assist with geospatial related tasks in the near future.
Research Staff
Sofia Koutzoukis, Ph.D Post-doctoral Scientist
Sofia is a chronic dabbler across topics in terrestrial dryland ecology, interested in the drivers and mechanisms that support decision making around resistance and resilience in the Intermountain West. Sofia comes to Kent State from Utah State University where her doctoral research focused on understanding and utilizing the sagebrush microenvironment to improve restoration outcomes. As a postdoctoral scholar, she is now studying how climate and fire drive aspen stand vulnerability at the aspen-sagebrush ecotone in the Great Basin. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Lewis & Clark College.
Lab Alumni
Michelle Escalambre
M.A. Geography (2020)
After the Lab - Environmental Science and Design Research Institute, Kent State University
Michelle completed her thesis on the impacts of trails to wildlife movement through urban corridors in the Cleveland Metroparks. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University.
Nick Manning - cv
Research Assistant (2020-2021)
After the Lab - Graduate Student, Michigan State University
Nick performed geospatial analysis, data wrangling, and wrote a ton of (Google Earth Engine and R) code. He pretty much set up a lot of our reproducible workflows in the lab. He holds dual degrees in Geology (B.S) & Environmental Studies (B.A.) from Kent State University.
Nicolle Di Domenico
Field Team (2021)
After the Lab - Graduate Student, Penn State University
A close friend of the lab for quite some time, Nikki provided us with rockstar field assistance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Kent State University.
Mainul Islam
M.S. Geography (2019-2021)
After the Lab - PhD Student, University of Iowa
Mainul measured the extent and severity of cyclonic disturbance (Cyclone Sidr 2007) in the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem in Bangladesh using Google Earth Engine. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology in Bangladesh.
Jeremy Salvo
Research Assistant (2021-2022)
After the Lab - MS Student, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
As an undergraduate student, Jeremy provided diligent assistance with dendrochronology (tree core samples) related tasks. He now holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology.
Kathryn Burns
Field Team (2022)
After the Lab - Undergraduate Student, Kent State University
Kathryn helped us in the field under some tough conditions. She is currently pursing her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Kent State University.
Hana Matsumoto
Research Assistant (2020-2022)
After the Lab - NSF Funded Graduate Student, University of Oregon
Hana performed data wrangling, geospatial analysis and mapping tasks using R and Google Earth Engine, set up field tablets using ESRI apps and fieldwork. She holds B.S. degree in Conservation Biology and a minor in GIS from Kent State University.
Grace Michael
Research Assistant (2022-2023)
After the Lab - Well-site Geologist, Columbine Corporation
Grace worked on a dendrochronology project, determining the age of Atlantic White cedar tree cores from coastal New Jersey. She holds a B.S. degree in Geology from Kent State University.
Bryanna Norlin
M.S. Geography (2021-2023)
Bryanna modeled the potential niche of Atlantic White Cedar throughout southern New Jersey using a machine learning approac - a key indicator species of sea level rise. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology from Kent State University and is now a two time first generation graduate.