Forest ThreatNet

The Eastern Threat Center welcomed several new and returning staff members and Research Fellows during the past year, adding significant expertise to the team. 

Karun Pandit was appointed in 2023 as an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University, where he serves as a cooperator with the Eastern Threat Center. Karun has research interests in forest health monitoring, forest disturbance modeling, change detection methods, and ecological forecasting. He contributes to national reporting efforts in Forest Health Monitoring as an editor, technical writer, and analyst. 

Lars Pomara, a long-time member of the Threat Center's Asheville team, accepted a new position within the Center as a Research Landscape Ecologist. His research involves assessing stressors on forests, ecosystem services, and wildlife, and developing tools to understand vulnerabilities, resilience, and effective conservation approaches at landscape and regional scales. 

Rodolfo Zentella has joined the USDA Southeast Climate Hub as a Research Fellow. His primary focus with the Climate Hub is supporting the dissemination of research generated in the Southeast region highlighting efforts in adaptation and resilience of farming systems, through the creation of factsheets and other science communication documents.

Justin Beslity also joined the Climate Hub as a Postdoctoral Fellow. Justin’s research focuses on hydrologic modeling, watershed ecology, and the development of low-cost environmental sensors. His role at the Climate Hub includes synthesizing and disseminating information on climate-smart forestry practices to forestry professionals.

Phoebe Habeck joined the Threat Center as a Forester, working on the Piedmont Paired Watershed Project led by Johnny Boggs. Phoebe has worked with the Forest Service as a seasonal Biological Science Technician on the Umpqua National Forest (2021) and the Chugach National Forest (2022).

Amit Chandramouly joined the Climate Hub as a Resource Assistant intern. Amit's work with the Hub focuses on science communication through the creation of workshops, webinars, and other resources that help farmers, foresters, and grazing land managers build resilience to climate change through adaptive management.

Ashlynn Amon also joined the Climate Hub and Environment for the Americas as a Resource Assistant intern. Her work with the Hub focuses on science communication through the creation of workshops, webinars, and other resources that help farmers, foresters, and grazing land managers build resilience to climate change and variability through adaptive management.

Stephen Britton joined the Climate Hub as a contract Research Assistant. His primary responsibility with the Hub is coordinating the development of drought preparation and recovery commodity guides that will help farmers build resilience to and recover from drought.

Susan Iott is a also a new contract Research Assistant and Updated Silvics of North America (USNAP) Coordinator with the Climate Hub. Susan’s primary focus with the Hub is coordinating a revision to the Silvics of North America to reflect current forestry science, climate change impacts, and ecosystem services.

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