Mike Aspinwall, Assistant Professor, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
B.S. Landscape Horticulture, The Ohio State University  
M.S. Forestry, North Carolina State University  
Ph.D. Forestry, North Carolina State University  

Mike is researcher in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Science at Auburn University. As a physiological ecologist he is interested in understanding how plants respond to environmental change in the long-term via adaptation and short-term via plasticity/acclimation. Mike also has a long-standing interest in examining the factors that influence ecosystem responses to environmental change; both in terms of diversity and function. Mike enjoys doing work that is fundamental in nature but has implications/applications for natural and managed ecosystems (including forests/agriculture), as well as modelling. Things like Mike likes outside of work: spending time with family, good coffee, cold beer, BBQ, fishing/hiking when he has time, and Cincinnati Reds baseball.
Dr. Caren Custodio Mendonça, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Auburn University
B.S. Forest Engineering, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil 
Ph.D. Forestry, Auburn University

​Caren is carrying out research on a range of topics including longleaf pine physiology, phenology, and productivity, switchgrass physiology, and physiology of loblolly pine. Caren's dissertation research focused on understanding how longleaf pine trees will respond to reduced water availability, and, more specifically, how these changes will affect their growth and physiological activity. Caren has a varied research experience both in Brazil and in the U.S. In Brazil, she worked with the improvement of biomass production techniques in Eucalyptus plantations. After completing her undergraduate degree in Brazil, Caren came to the U.S. to work in research related to physiological and growth responses to drought in loblolly pine, and to the encroachment of eastern redcedar into the cross timbers in Oklahoma. Besides her passion for understanding trees from the inside, Caren also loves to explore them in their habitats in a more relaxed way, enjoying hikes and camping. 
Nadia Bowles, MS Candidate, Auburn University
B.S. Forestry, Tuskegee University

Nadia's work and research background includes natural resource management, forest regeneration, and plant-soil interactions. She explored the sustainability of switchgrass, Miscanthus, and loblolly pine intercropping systems in her undergraduate research. Currently, her research interests are plant physiology, ecosystem resilience, and climate change. Nadia's graduate program is supported by the Charles Barkley Graduate Research, Education, and Training Fellowship. In her spare time, she enjoys birding, film photography, collecting vinyl records, and solo travel. 
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Susannah Dorrance, MS Candidate, University of North Florida
B.S. Biology, Huntingdon College

Susannah’s MS research is testing questions about the impacts of persistent warming versus short-term heat events on forest trees, and relationships between tree species range size and vulnerability to warming/heat stress. ​
Katelyn McBride, MS Candidate, Auburn University
B.S. Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

Katelyn has a research background in tree-environment interactions, with a focus on sap flow modeling and growth rates after a disturbance. Her underlying research interests include tree physiology, genetic variation in trees, forest ecology, and climate change. Currently, she is interested in understanding temperature acclimation and adaptation in key southern pine species. Katelyn's graduate program is supported by the Charles D. McCrary Graduate, Research, Education, and Training Fellowship. Outside of the lab, Katelyn enjoys hiking, constructed languages, open world video games, and playing with her cat.
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Emily Sheets, MS Candidate, Auburn University
B.S. Biology, Shawnee State University
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Emily attended Shawnee State University in southern Ohio where she focused on botany and environmental science. Her research interests include studying tree physiology, variation in leaf traits, and climate change. However, while out in the field she never misses an opportunity to flip a rock or log for snakes and salamanders. Emily's graduate program is supported by the Harry Murphy Graduate, Research, Education, and Training Fellowship. ​She is an avid backpacker, competitive Olympic weightlifter, and loves watching Star Wars with her husband.
Hang Li, PhD Candidate, Auburn University and Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU)
B.S. Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University (HENAU), China
 
Hang Li is a visiting scholar in the Aspinwall lab, and he came from China. His research area focuses on the respiratory adaptation and acclimation of trees under conditions of global climate warming. These include differences in genetic variation of tree species, differences under distinct water and nutrient supplies, and other scientific issues. Frankly spoken, Hang Li is an interdisciplinary visiting scholar whose fields of study include agriculture, ornamental horticulture, and forestry. Outside of work, he likes to meet new friends from different countries, and communicating with friends makes him relaxed and happy. He loves sports such as running, hiking, and badminton.
Kathryn Fuller, PhD Candidate (Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University)
M.S. Biological Sciences, Auburn University
B.S. College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York

Kate is a visiting PhD candidate in the Aspinwall lab, advised out of Western Sydney University and the Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub. Her thesis focuses on modelling relationships between wildfire fuels, environmental variables and fire behaviour in New South Wales, Australia. Using existing species occurrence databases, airborne and spaceborne LiDAR and remote sensing, she will develop models to describe novel fuel metrics at sub-continental scales. Kate has varied experience in research, with work in forest, urban and fire ecology, conservation, plant pathology, pasture science and data management. She is a computer and space nerd, with a passion for R programming, new technologies and gadgets. Outside of work, you can find her knitting and watching bad science fiction, when she's not hiking with her husband and two dogs.
Lab alumni
Dr. Jeff Chieppa (2019-2021), Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
Matt Sturchio (2019-2021), Masters of Science, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Kylie Harris (2018-2020), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Presley Giresi (2019-2020), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
John Clarke (2019-2020), Undergraduate Research, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Amy Neece, (2018-2020), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Eve Gray (2019-2020), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Madison O'Toole (2019-2020), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Morgan Golden-Ebanks (2018-2019), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Mateo Colon (2018-2019), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Vrinda Jerome (2018-2019), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Tia Brown (REU student from Haverford College, summer 2019)
Lynsae Davidson (2018-2019), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
Alexis Rodgers (2018), Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Biology, University of North Florida
​Martina Faciane (REU student from Rice University, summer 2018)