Richard Gustafson

A worldwide effort is underway to produce the fuels and chemicals we use every day from biomass instead of petroleum. This transformation has enormous technical and economic challenges that must be met to be successful. 

Beth Gardner

Hierarchical models, spatial capture-recapture models, occupancy models, camera trapping, hair snares, sampling techniques, spatial statistics, Bayesian inference
B.S., Mathematics and Environmental Science, Allegheny College
M.S., Natural Resources, Cornell University
Ph.D., Natural Resources; Minors: Biometry, GIS, Cornell University
Autumn 2025: Beth Gardner is not currently accepting graduate students for the 2025-26 school year.  

Indroneil Ganguly

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of bio-based products; forest products marketing; forest economics
Indroneil Ganguly is an Associate Professor in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS) and Associate Director of the Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR). 

Gregory Ettl

Sustainable forestry; forest ecology; silviculture
B.S., Science Education and Zoology, University of Wisconsin
M.A.T., Biology Teaching, University of Washington
Ph.D. Ecosystem Analysis, University of Washington
Autumn 2026-27 Admissions: Please reach out to Professor Ettl to inquire about their ability to admit new students. 

Anthony Dichiara

Synthesis of nanomaterials from biomass; characterization of biomaterials and their applications in multifunctional composites and environmental remediation
B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Technology of Troyes, France
M.S., Optics and Nanotechnology, University of Technology of Troyes, France
M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Technology of Troyes, France
Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, Ecole Centrale Paris, France
Autumn 2026-27 Admissions: Please reach out to Professor Dichiara to inquire about their ability to admit new students. 

David Butman

Influence of humans and climate on carbon cycling at the intersection of terrestrial and aquatic systems
David studies the influence of humans and climate on carbon cycling at the intersection of terrestrial and aquatic systems. 

Renata Bura

My research focuses on:

Fractionation of biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin
Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural and hardwood biomass into biochemicals, including (1) robust pretreatment processes for mixed feedstocks (agricultural and hardwood residues) and Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) of combined streams (water soluble and insoluble; and (2) steam pretreatment and pulping
Improvements of hydrolytic enzymes for industrial applications
Role of accessory enzymes during saccharification process
High-throughput microassay evaluating enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass
Utilization of yeast and ethanologenic bacteria during fermentation of hexoses and pentoses
Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) for high sugar streams
Utilization of algae for biodiesel production

B.Sc., Applied Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University
M.A.Sc., Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto
Ph.D., Forest Products Biotechnology, University of British Columbia
Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass; biomaterials from lignin and plant components
Autumn 2026-27 Admissions: Please reach out to Professor Bura to inquire about their ability to admit new students. 

Sally Brown

In situ remediation of soils; Use of biosolids; phytoremediation of heavy metals.
B.A., Political Science, Williams College
M.S., Agronomy, University of Maryland
Ph.D., Agronomy, University of Maryland
Autumn 2026-27 Admissions: Please reach out to Professor Brown to inquire about their ability to admit new students. 

Gregory Bratman

Impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function, mood, and emotion regulation; accounting for mental health in ecosystem service assessments; environment and well-being.
Dr. Bratman’s research takes place at the nexus of psychology, public health, and ecology, with a focus on examining the pathways through which nature experience benefits mental and physical health, and potential causal mechanisms underlying these relationships. 

Bernard Bormann

Forest ecology and physiology
Autumn 2026-27 Admissions: Please reach out to Professor Bormann to inquire about their ability to admit new students.