Assistant Extension Professor and Forestry Specialist, Department of Extension

• What excites you most about your research?

I am excited to be participating in a truly multidisciplinary endeavor that includes experts in a variety of fields from engineering to forest ecology to social science. Particularly exciting for me is the opportunity to creatively meld science and techniques from both urban and traditional forestry practices and using these to address urgent tree and forest management issues with direct positive benefit for many Connecticut citizens.

• What’s the most valuable aspect of your research for people and communities?

Adoption and implementation of Stormwise roadside woodland management approaches will result in fewer outages during storms caused by trees. Outages and transportation interruptions that do occur will be of shorter duration.

Future tree-related power distribution right-of-way maintenance activities will occur less frequently and will often be conducted from the ground, with the results being more aesthetic.

Stormwise forest management activities can generate local jobs and local economic benefit.

Research focus: Small-scale forest management methods; Forest, tree and vegetation responses to treatments; Integrating arboriculture and silviculture; Local wood product commercialization and value recovery.

Website: http://www.stormwise.uconn.edu