Forests & Plants
Zhiyong Cai, Material Engineer
- Ph.D., Purdue University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A material engineer develops new and improved composite materials by working with wood and other non-wood fiber sources.
- Ph.D., Purdue University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A material engineer develops new and improved composite materials by working with wood and other non-wood fiber sources.
Jenna Padilla, Geologist
- B.S., University of New Mexico
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A geologist for the Forest Service conducts studies and investigations on projects where minerals and geology impact the development or management of the forest resources (e.g., trees, range land, soil, water systems, wildlife). Geologists also manage material projects that are conducted on public lands and mitigate Abandoned Mine Land features.
- B.S., University of New Mexico
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A geologist for the Forest Service conducts studies and investigations on projects where minerals and geology impact the development or management of the forest resources (e.g., trees, range land, soil, water systems, wildlife). Geologists also manage material projects that are conducted on public lands and mitigate Abandoned Mine Land features.
Barb Beasley, Paleontologist
- M.S., Fort Hays State University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- As a paleontologist, I study plants and animals that are preserved in the earth. Essentially, I am a prehistoric wildlife biologist.
- M.S., Fort Hays State University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- As a paleontologist, I study plants and animals that are preserved in the earth. Essentially, I am a prehistoric wildlife biologist.
Frank Koch, Invasion Ecologist
- Ph.D., NC State University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- An invasion ecologist studies the ways in which species move out of their native environments and into new ones, where they sometimes have negative impacts.
- Ph.D., NC State University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- An invasion ecologist studies the ways in which species move out of their native environments and into new ones, where they sometimes have negative impacts.
Susan Best, Plant Pathologist
- M.S., Iowa State University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A plant pathologist specializes in plant health. Keeping plants healthy requires an understanding of the organisms that cause disease, as well as an undertanding of how plants grow and are affected by disease.
- M.S., Iowa State University
- USDA Forest Service Scientist
- A plant pathologist specializes in plant health. Keeping plants healthy requires an understanding of the organisms that cause disease, as well as an undertanding of how plants grow and are affected by disease.
