GANDHI FOREST ENTOMOLOGY LABORATORY
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
Wheatley Distinguished Professor of Forest Health, Director
Kamal is a forest entomologist. She's also a mother, an avid hiker, and meditator. Kamal is a strong advocate of making every moment count, and living a full, creative, and authentic 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.
Haley Ritger
Ph.D. Candidate
Haley is working on the interactions between longleaf pine physiology, bark beetles, and prescribed fire. She's currently working at the Clemson University while writing her dissertation.
Ben Gochnour
Ph.D. Candidate
Ben will be working on the interactions between longleaf pine restoration, bark beetles, and associated fungal and bacterial symbionts.
Mitchell Green
M.S. Student
Mitchell is studying the biocontrol of emerald ash borer. He enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors and especially loves hiking, running, and exploring new places with his dog, Buckley.
Emma Briggs
M.S. Student
Emma is studying the impact of herbicides on native bees in managed forests. When not thinking about bees, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and hanging out with her dog.
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.
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Ourania Nikoliadis
Ph.D. Student
Ourania is focused on the effects of hurricane-force wind disturbances on arthropod communities. She enjoys hiking, camping, trail running, and spending time with her rabbit, Bun and bearded dragon, Fuego.
Previous Personnel
Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Researchers (current positions)
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Brittany Barnes, M.S. (University of Georgia - Research Professional)
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Nicholas Bolton, Postdoctoral Researcher (Forisk Consulting LLC - Researcher)
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Jamie Bookwalter, M.S. (Barcelona University Autonoma, Spain - Ph.D. Student)
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Kayla Brownell, M.S. (Georgia Department of Agriculture - Agriculture Inspector)
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Jordan Burke, M.S. (University of British Columbia - Postdoctoral Researcher) - a brilliant star who left too soon
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Keith Caprio, M.F.R. (Athens, Georgia)
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Lea Clark, M.F.R. (Georgia Forestry Commission - Community Forester)
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David Coyle, Postdoctoral Researcher (Clemson University - Assistant Professor)
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Christine Favorito, M.S. (Jones Center at Ichuaway - Research Assistant)
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Christine Fortuin, Ph.D. & Postdoctoral Researcher (Mississippi State University - Assistant Professor)
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Bailey McNichol, M.S. (University of Nebraska - Ph.D. student)
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Angela Mech, Ph.D. (University of Maine - Assistant Professor)
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Chelsea Miller, Postdoctoral Researcher (Holden Arboretum - NSF Postdoctoral Fellow)
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Holly Munro, Ph.D. [National Council for Air and Stream Improvement Inc. (NCASI) - Senior Research Scientist]
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Derek Robertson, M.S. (Athens, Georgia)
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Ashley Schulz, M.S. (Mississippi State University - Assistant Professor)
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Ansley Silva, M.S. (State of Washington - Planner)
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Seth Spinner, M.S. (University of Kentucky - Pest Outreach Coordinator)
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Jenny Staeben, Ph.D. (Wyoming Attorney General's Office - Lawyer)
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Thomas Whitney, Ph.D. (Davey Tree Company - Entomologist)
International Exchange Students
Danyang Fu, Ph.D., China
Jiangming Yao, Ph.D., China
Christiane Helbig, Ph.D., Germany
Undergraduate Students & Technicians (select, >30)
Joel Adair
Jackson Audley
Jamie Botsch
John Doyle
Madeleine Dupuy
Shawn Harrington
Steven Hughes
Sarah Klinect
Danielle Sank
High School Students (select)
Eduardo Ricome
Mauranda Upchruch
Nakia Lee