Our Team
Our goals are to conduct the highest quality research and to provide real-life solutions to intractable issues and grand challenges in forest health. We are bound together on a scientific journey to better understand the ecology of forest insects in a constantly changing world. Simply put, we want to achieve wise use, conservation, and stewardship of our natural resources.
Dr. Kamal J.K. Gandhi
Professor, Director
Kamal is a forest entomologist. She's also a dancer, meditator, mother, hiker, and cancer survivor. Kamal is a strong advocate of making every moment count, and living a full and creative life.
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Brittany Barnes, M.S.
Research Professional
Brittany runs the day-to-day forest entomology program at the University of Georgia. She enjoys yoga, camping, hiking, traveling, people, and her cute cat.
Dr. Chelsea Miller
Postdoctoral Researcher
Chelsea recently graduated with a PhD focused on insect-mediated seed dispersal, plant rarity & drivers of distribution of Trillium. Her current work focuses on the effects of weather disturbances on forest beetle communities.
Dr. Christine Fortuin
Postdoctoral Researcher
Christine is assessing the impacts of hurricanes on forests and insects. She enjoys dancing, poetry, traveling, and spending time with her young daughter.
Haley Ritger
Ph.D. Candidate
Haley is working on the interactions between longleaf pine physiology, bark beetles, and prescribed fire. She's currently living at the Jones Ecological Research Center with her husband and puppy.
Holly Munro
Ph.D. Candidate
Holly is working on the chemical interactions between pine bark beetles, and niche modeling of beetles. She's an entomologist, hiker, and a mother.
Lea Clark
M.F.R. Student
Lea is interested in urban and community forestry. She likes to do tree climbing, running, kayaking, and off-road biking. Lea is a Treasurer for the Atlanta Tree Climbing Club, and the Board for Lyndon Arts House.
Ben Gochnour
Ph.D. Student
Ben will be working on the interactions between longleaf pine restoration, bark beetles, and associated fungal and bacterial symbionts.
Seth Spinner
M.S. Student
Seth is studying the impacts of severe wind disturbance on woodboring beetle populations in pine plantations. Seth is an avid hiker, gardener, and insect collector.
Christine Favorito
M.S. Student
Christine is investigating how working forests affect pollinator communities. When not chasing insects, Christine enjoys hiking, exploring new places, and baking.
Katie O'Shields
M.S. Student
Katie is studying the chemical ecology of southern pine beetle. She enjoys being outside and likes to spend her free time drawing.
Keith Caprio
M.F.R. Student
Keith is a MFR student looking to combine his interest in wood pests with background in communication degree. He's an avid hiker, biker, and loves spending time with his three cats.
Previous Students
Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Researchers (current positions)
Brittany Barnes, M.S. (University of Georgia, Research Professional)
Nicholas Bolton, Postdoctoral Researcher (WestRock Company, Professional Forester)
Jamie Bookwalter, M.S. (Barcelona University Autonoma, Spain, Ph.D. Student)
Kayla Brownell, M.S. (Georgia Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Inspector)
Jordan Burke, M.S. (University of British Columbia, Postdoctoral Researcher) - a brilliant star who left us too soon
David Coyle, Postdoctoral Researcher (Clemson University, Assistant Professor)
Christine Fortuin, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher (University of Georgia)
Bailey McNichol, M.S. (University of Nebraska, Ph.D. student)
Angela Mech, Ph.D. (University of Maine, Assistant Professor)
Derek Robertson, M.S. (Athens, Georgia)
Ashley Schulz, M.S. (Colorado State University, Postdoctoral Researcher)
Ansley Silva, M.S. (University of Washington, Yoga Instructor)
Jenny Staeben, Ph.D. (Lawyer, Wyoming)
Thomas Whitney, Ph.D. (Washington State University, Postdoctoral Researcher)
International Exchange Students
Danyang Fu,Ph.D., China
Jiangming Yao, Ph.D., China
Christiane Helbig, Ph.D., Germany
Undergraduate Students & Technicians (select, >25)
Joel Adair
Jackson Audley
Jamie Botsch
John Doyle
Madeleine Dupuy
Shawn Harrington
Steven Hughes
Sarak Klinect
Danielle Sank
High School Students (select)
Eduardo Ricome
Mauranda Upchruch
Nakia Lee