Full Curriculum Vitae

M.S. Biology: Idaho State University, 2003

Interests and Goals: 

My primary goal is to earn an academic doctoral degree in biological sciences. I am interested in the ecology of plants in extreme environments including arctic, alpine and desert flora and the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that allow plants to live in extreme environments. More generally, I am interested in plant and community ecology, plant-animal (including human) interactions, herbivory, understanding patterns of species biogeography, GIS (geographic information systems), and portraying the importance of preserving biodiversity and the integrity of ecosystems to the public at large.

Current Research: 

I am writing my PhD. dissertation under the direction of Laura Gough at UT~Arlington and  associated with the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) and the Institute for Arctic Biology (University of Alaska at Fairbanks). We are interested in better understanding above and  below ground trophic structure in arctic tundra plant communities. Specifically, focusing on above ground herbivory, I seek to understand first how both small and large animals effect Alaskan arctic plant communities, and second, how these effects may change in the future in a changed climate. I am currently conducting research in two very different arctic plant communities near Toolik Field Station, where voles (Microtus spp.) seem to be acting differently in shaping future community structure. 

Publications: 

Gough, L., E.A. Ramsey, and D.R. Johnson. 2007. Plant-herbivore interactions in Alaskan arctic tundra change with soil nutrient availability. Oikos 116:407-418.

Gough, L., K. Shrestha, D.R. Johnson, and B. Moon. 2007. Long-term mammalian herbivory and nutrient addition alter lichen community structure in Alaskan dry heath tundra. accepted in Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research.

Personal Information:

I grew up in Soda Springs, Idaho. I  lived in Pocatello, Idaho for a long time where I made many friends and earned two degrees. It was hard to leave. Currently I live in Arlington, Texas and attend UT Arlington. Surprisingly, I do like Texas for a variety of reasons.  When not working, I dream about doing  just about any outdoor activity including (but not limited to): camping, hiking, birding, fishing, looking at plants and Judo.

The background picture is of Ratibida columnifera (Nutt) Wooton & Standl., or Mexican hat, in a field of Texas wildflowers. Click here for a less opaque image.