Members

Britt Hays, PhD student

Britt's research evaluates delayed post-fire tree mortality models in individual tree and stand-level mixed forests. Specifically, they are assessing second-order fire effect models and looking at how water stress, competition, and pests impact stand-level mortality over time in a warming climate. Their work impacts land manager decisions to mitigate mortality and manage healthy forests, and aims to both infer forest carbon changes due to delayed post-fire tree mortality. Britt holds a BS in Biology from University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and a MS in Ecology from Colorado State University.

Edward Chapman, PhD student

Edward’s research looks at forest canopy structure and its relationship to forest drought resilience. He is using field data and remote sensing techniques to evaluate the health of all tree demographics: recruitment, growth, and mortality during drought conditions. His research aims to create a predictive model of drought-related forest health decline. Producing a predictive model of forest health decline will provide land managers with an opportunity to take preventive silvicultural action to combat forest decline in the face of increased drought and climate change. Edward holds a BS in Applied Ecology from Michigan Technological University.

Sam Menicke, PhD student

Sam’s research examines landscape‑scale forest disturbances and their interactions using integrative, data‑driven approaches. He quantifies spatiotemporal disturbance anomalies through the synthesis of remotely sensed imagery and field‑based observations, with an emphasis on forecasting future disturbance regimes under climate change. His work seeks to inform forest management strategies that enhance landscape‑level resilience to disturbance. Sam holds a BA in Biology, with a minor in Geography, from Macalester College.

Tyler Mitchell, Postdoc (2025-2026)

Tyler's research focused on forest landscape modeling in the Central Rocky Mountain region with a particular emphasis on wildfire. Tyler's PhD work focused on modeling southeastern US pine species radial growth responses to particular types and intensities of precipitation, and he previously worked for ESRI supporting ArcGIS Online. Tyler holds a PhD in Geography and a MA in Applied Geography from UNC Greensboro and a BS in Environmental Science from the University of West Florida. 

Tyler is currently an Assistant Professor at James Madison University

Maddy Stone, MS (2026)

Maddy's research aims to improve post fire mortality modeling to better represent the natural variation in post-fire mortality seen in complex ecosystems. Specifically, the new models will include density dependent conditions of drought, competition, and compound disturbances with host-specific pests. Her research and updated post-fire mortality models will aid land managers in making effective treatment plans to help mitigate the risk of stand replacing fires in the face of decreasing fire return intervals. With these improved models, landowners and managers can develop robust management plans that account for a wider range of conditions that are expected to be seen as climate change continues. Maddy holds a BS in Environmental Science and Resource Management with Honors from the University of Washington.