Benjamin Dittbrenner is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington. His teaching and research focus on forest, riparian, and wetland ecosystems, with particular interest in how climate change and land use shape ecological processes and management strategies.
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Restoration ecology; Management of dryland and rangeland ecosystems; Plant regeneration ecology, including seed and seedling development; Functional (trait-based) ecology; Plant population and community dynamics
Dr. Larson’s research addresses major challenges in ecological restoration through the lens of plant ecology and functioning.
Dr. Mutian Hua received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. His research focuses on understanding the connections between the structures of soft materials and their novel properties.
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As a member of the Center for Quantitative Science, Dr. Sivandran is engaged in pedagogical research focused on active learning strategies. His work explores innovative teaching methods that enhance student engagement, foster collaborative learning, and promote critical thinking.
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Dr. Claire Willing (she/her) is an ecologist with a particular interest in microbial ecology, plant ecology, and plant physiological ecology. Her research uses molecular tools, ecological theory, and techniques in plant physiological ecology and stable isotope ecology to better understand patterns of plant-associated microbial diversity and functional consequences for plant hosts and plant communities in a changing climate.
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Dr. Francisca (“Kika”) Santana studies the social and psychological processes underpinning conservation and adaptation behavior. Her research investigates topics such as the social nature of wildfire smoke adaptation decisions in the U.S.
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Dr. Sameer Shah (he/him) is a John C. Garcia Professor and Assistant Professor of Climate Adaptation in the School of Environmental & Forest Sciences (SEFS) at the University of Washington. He is also an Affiliate with the UW Center for Studies in Demography in Ecology, Center for Environmental Politics, and Clean Energy Institute.
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B.S., Earth Systems, Stanford University
M.S., Earth Systems, Stanford University
Ph.D., Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley
Autumn 2026-27 Admissions: Please reach out to Professor McInturff to inquire about their ability to admit new students.
Landscape ecology, freshwater ecology, watershed processes, spatial and temporal analysis, scale, remote sensing
B.A., Geography, German, Clark Honors College, University of Oregon
M.S., Ph.D., Fisheries Science, Oregon State University
Autumn 2026-27 Admissions: Please reach out to Professor Torgersen to inquire about their ability to admit new students.
Sustainable forestry; wood products production, distribution and use; international wood markets and trade.
Ph.D., Marketing, The University of Texas at Austin
Autumn 2026-27 Admissions: Please reach out to Professor Wheiler to inquire about their ability to admit new students.