Personnel

Laboratory Director

Laboratory Staff

Current Students and Researchers

• Veronica Zancho (veronica.zancho@tamu.edu): PhD student [Dr. West]
• Diana Leal (2025 – present): laboratory assistant
• Tamara Irizarry-Acevedo (2025 – present): laboratory assistant
• Zulma Irizarry-Acevedo (2025 – present): laboratory assistant

Alumni

• Nicole Havrilchak (PhD 2024, Dr. West)
• Shelby Boyd: Research Associate
• Dr. Rachel Adams (PhD 2020, Dr. West) Interactions between surface ecology and cave ecosystems
• Dr. Cynthia Wright (PhD 2019, Dr. West)
• Dr. Yong Zhou (PhD 2018, Dr. Boutton) Woody plant encroachment into grasslands: impacts on landscape-scale spatial patterns of soil C, N, and P storage and dynamics [Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University]
• Dr. Ryan Mushinski (PhD 2017, Dr. Boutton) The long-term influence of intensive timber harvest on soil biogeochemistry and microbial ecology [Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Illinois]
• Dr. Rachel Wellman (Rosenstein) (PhD, 2014, Dr. Boutton) Nitrogen transformations in response to elevated temperatures and altered rainfall regimes in oak savanna: A global change experiment. [Current position: AICE Environmental Management and Honors Biology, Boca Raton Community High School]
• Dr. Julie Foote (PhD, 2014, Dr. Boutton) Biogeochemistry of the western Gulf Coastal Plain as impacted by forest management. [Current position: Lecturer III at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Environmental Science Program]
• Dr. Ilsa Kantola (PhD, 2012, Dr. Boutton) Biogeochemistry of Woody Plant Invasion: Phosphorus Cycling and Microbial Community Composition. [Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]
• Dr. Emily B Hollister (PhD, 2008, Dr. Boutton) Relationships between structure and function in savanna ecosystem. [Current position: Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine]
• Dr. Edith Bai (PhD, 2007, Dr. Boutton) Spatial patterns in the natural abundance of 13C and 15N in a subtropical savanna parkland: Implications for ecosystem dynamics. [Current position: Professor, Institute of Applied Ecology Chinese Academy of Sciences]
• Dr. Feng. Lui (PhD, 2007, Dr. Boutton) Spatial patterns of soil carbon and nitrogen storage in a subtropical savanna parkland.
• Dr. Wylie N. Harris (PhD, 2005, Dr. Boutton) Management impacts on feedbacks in carbon and nitrogen cycles of Great Plains grasslands.
• Dr. Julia D. Liao (PhD, 2004, Dr. Boutton) Woodland development and soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics and storage in a subtropical savanna ecosystem.
• Dr. J. Andrew Hubbard (PhD, 2003, Dr. Boutton) Fire-grazing interactions in a mixed-grass prairie.

• Harrison Raub (Dr. West)
• Ane Fortes (Dr. West)
• Toby Santamaria (Dr. West)
• Yang Zang (MSc, 2016, Drs. Vogel and West) Pinemap – litter decomposition associated with soil C cycling
• Elizabeth Wilson (MSc, 2014, Drs. Vogel and West) The effects of drought stress on mesophyll conductance to CO2 in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) leaves.
• April Mattox (MSc, 2013, Dr. West) Effects of woody vegetation removal on soil water dynamics in a South Texas shrubland.
• Fan Li  (MSc, 2012, Dr. West) Effects of Arundo donax L on the Hydrology of a Rio Grande Riparian Zone.
• Dr. Kui Li (MSc, 2011, Dr. West) Ecohydrological controls and effects of rhizome integration on the performance of Arundo donax in a Rio Grande riparian zone.
• Kelley A. Hays (MSc, 1999, Dr. Boutton) Summer fire impacts and isotopic assessment of vegetation dynamics in Texas coastal Quercus virginiana communities.
• Dr. Rebecca L. McCulley (MSc, 1998, Dr. Boutton) Soil respiration and microbial biomass in a savanna parkland landscape: Spatio-temporal variation and environmental controls.
• Michelle M. Finlayson (MSc, 1995, Dr. Boutton) non-thesis option
• Dr. Samuel B. Marshall (MSc, 1995, Dr. Boutton) Biogeochemical consequences of livestock grazing in a juniper-oak savanna.
• Schuster J. Kent (MSc, 1994, Dr. Boutton) non-thesis option
• Dr. Stephen E. Watts (MSc, 1993, Dr. Boutton)  Rooting patterns of co-occurring woody plants on contrasting soils in a subtropical savanna.
• Dr. Carolyn K. Ivans (Yoder) (MSc, 1993, Dr. Boutton)  Soil water utilization by herbaceous species of the southern Great Plains: Evidence from isotopically labeled water.
• Dr. Christine G. Elsik (MSc, 1992, Dr. Boutton)  Growth, physiology, and δ13C of loblolly and shortleaf pine as affected by ozone and soil water deficit.

• Jenny King (Forensic Summer Internship, 2013, Dr. West): Bat hair stable isotopes, forensic internship.
• Lori L. Herrmann (BS Honors, 1995, Dr. Boutton): The effects of increased woody plant abundance on the carbon and nitrogen cycles of a subtropical savanna ecosystem.

Former Laboratory Directors:

• Dr. Thomas Boutton: [1987-2023] Current Position: Retired
• Dr. Jason Vogel [2010-2016] Current position: Assistant Professor at University of Florida

Former Researchers:

• Dr. Ian MacLachlan, Postdoctoral researcher, 2020-2021
• Dr. CheJen (Jerry) Hsiao, Postdoctoral researcher, 2019-2021
• Dr. Ayumi Hyodo, Research Assistant Professor/Lab manager, 2012-2020
• Dr. Saadat Ullah Malghani, Postdoctoral researcher, 2015-2016. [Present position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Yonsei University]
• Dr. Million Hailemichael, Postdoctoral researcher, 2002-2004.  [Present position: Research Scientist, Idaho State University]
• Dr. Xiaoyan Dai, Postdoctoral researcher, 2002-2007.  [Present position: Railroad Commission of Texas]
• Dr. Andrew J. Midwood, Postdoctoral researcher, 1990-1992.  [Present position: James Hutton Institute]
• Dr. Stephen F. Zitzer, Postdoctoral researcher, 1990-1992. 
• Dr. Isabel Casar, Postdoctoral researcher, 1991-1992. 

Former Visiting Scientists:

• Dr. Fernando Freire [Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil]
• Amani Mahindawansha [Justus Liebig University Giessen, Advisor: Lutz Breuer]
• Iris van der Veen [Potsdam University, Advisor: Dirk Sachse]
• Cristina Antunes [University of Campinas, Advisor: Cristina Máguas]
• Monica Warner [Mississippi State University, Advisor: Nicholas Hermann]
• Kennedy N. de Jesus [Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Advisor: Everardo V.S.B. Sampaio]
• Dr. Zhiwei Ge, 2013. [Lecturer of Department of Ecology & Environment Science, Nanjing Forestry University, China]
• Dr. Guobing Wang, 2013. Priority Academic Biological Science Program Fellow [Associate professor, Nanjing Forestry University, China]
• Dr. Peter. Millard, 2006. OECD Visiting Research Fellow: Autotrophic vs. heterotrophic contributions to soil respiration in savanna ecosystems. [Science Leader, Soil-Plant-Microbial Interactions, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland]
• Dr. Evgeny  Morgun,  2004. Senior Fulbright Fellow: Mechanisms of soil carbon storage and dynamics in grassland ecosystems. [Present position: Professor, Soil Science Department, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia]

Former Research Associates:

• Matt Smith (Research Assistant, August 2014 – May 2016) Current position: PhD student at Florida International University
• Brabon Cawthon (Research Associate, Sep 2013 – May 2014) Current position: Weaver Boos Consultants
• Ryan Mushinski (Research Associate, Jan-Aug 2013)
• Darrin Moore (Research Associate, 2005-2012) Current position: Chemist in Pesticide Residue Laboratory, Texas Department of Agriculture
• Kirk Jessup (Research Associate, 2001-2005) Current position: Senior Research Associate, Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Amarillo

Former Undergraduate Laboratory Assistants:

• Skylar Fitze-Vallier (2022 – 2024) Environmental Studies major
• Alyssa Chebetar (2023 – 2024) Ecology and Conservation Biology major
• Charisa Chairat (2023 – 2024) Chemical Engineering major
• Kaiya Haines (2023 – 2024) Environmental Studies major
• Lillian Hook (2023 – 2024) Ecology and Conservation Biology
• Monisha Yerram (2023 – 2023) Biochemistry major
• Nitish Ajmera (2022 – 2023) Computer Engineering major
• Vanessa Martinez (2022 – 2023) Biochemistry major
• Jaelan Linville (2022 – 2022) Wildlife and Fishery Sciences Major
• Marcos Aleman (2022 – 2022) Biochemistry major
• Danielle Sherry (2021 – 2022)
• Reshmi Joseph (2018 – 2020) Environmental Geosciences major
• Meagan Harrington (2018 – 2020) Biomedical Sciences major
• Madison Taylor (2019 – 2020) Ecosystem Science and Management major
• Kelly Xavier (2017 – 2019) Biochemistry major
• Blair Fose (2018 – 2018) Chemistry major
• Alvin Teh (2016 – 2018) Chemical Engineering major
• Matthew Pfeifer (2017 – 2018) Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications major, MSc
• Kameron Fennessey (2017 – 2018) Water Management major, MSc
• Anthony Foelker (2017 – 2017) Nuclear Engineering major
• Ali Jalal (2016 – 2016) Biology major
• Melissa Gerhart (2016 – 2016) Biomedical Sciences major
• Kyler Tormey (2015-2016) Chemistry major
• Alex Schieszer (2015- 2016) Biomedical Science major
• Martina Kesumah (2015 – 2016) Applied Mathematics major
• Mounita Rob (2014 – 2015) Bioenvironmental Science major
• Curtis Smith (2014 – 2014) B.Sc. in Geoscience
• Darcy Moreland (2013-2014) Natural Resource Development major, MSc
• Emily Boon (2013-2014) International Studies major
• Stephanie Gongora (2013) Anthropology major
• Diana Lainez (2013-2013 and 2014) Chemical Engineering major
• Emery Wolf (2013-2014) Renewable Natural Resources major
• Maddie Wigley (2013) Ecosystem Science and Management major
• Colleen Macdaniel (2013) Pre-medical major
• Earl Rangel (2013) Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major
• Taha Habib (2013) Engineering major
• Berry Isensee (2012-2013) Ecosystem Science and Management major
• Kathy Brown (2012) Nutrition and Food Science major
• Sara Malik (2012-2013) Psychology major
• Skyler Helmich (2012) Engineering major
• Brandon Cawthon (2012-2013) Ecosystem Science and Management major
• Candace Green (2012-2013) Ecosystem Science and Management major
• Evan Dulin (2012) Ecosystem Science and Management major