Plant Ecophys Lab

PEOPLE IN OUR LAB

Jesse Nippert
University Distinguished Professor of Biology
PI - Konza Prairie LTER Program
nippert@ksu.edu

My research focus is on plant eco-physiological responses to changes in water availability (spatially, temporally, or driven by climate changes). Particularly, I'm interested in the mechanims of drought tolerance by grassland and savanna species (structure / function) as well as the theory of competition/ facilitation for water between trees and grasses. Thus, I enjoy spending my time addressing questions linking resource availability - physiology - patterns of productivity, with the goal of improving our ability to scale energy dynamics and hydrological processes from the plant- to ecosystem-level.

I love spending time outdoors in the grasslands. These systems exist within an interface of climatic variability and frequent disturbance (fire and grazers). Grass species are deceptively simple, but their unique physiology and form is adapted to environmental stress and disturbance. Despite abiotic and biotic pressures, grasses are masters of growth efficiency and develop dense canopies and high biomass. The environmental and biotic complexity of grasslands provides a challenging (mentally and physically) and enjoyable system to study. For me, there is nothing better than spending a day in the sun of the Konza Prairie.

CV (last updated - March 2023)

 

Saranya Puthalath
Post-doctoral Researcher
saranyaputhalath@ksu.edu

I would like to call myself an isotope hydrologist interested in understanding the hydrological processes in the soil-vegetation-atmosphere interface from the critical zone to the catchment and river basin scale. I employ stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) along with several other tools to trace the movement and transport of water in different hydrological compartments. I am from Kerala, the southernmost state of India blessed with the tropical vegetation cover of Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. The vegetation was supported by copious rainfall (≈3000 mm annually), but with every passing year, the monsoon rainfall patterns have been witnessing drastic change- both in the form of extreme floods and drought events. This made me wonder about the water cycle changes associated with these extreme events. Hence, during my PhD, I studied the changes in surface water and groundwater circulation processes associated with weather fluctuations and the role of moisture recycling in producing rainfall. Soon, I wanted to explore how the water uptake strategies of plants are affected by these extreme events. For this, I have worked at the prestigious Physical Research Laboratory, India with a National Post-doctoral Fellowship.

I look forward to working at KSU to understand the impact of woody encroachment on the hydrological cycle and the response of woody and herbaceous plants toward extreme events.

Klara Stevermer
M.S. Student
klarastevermer@ksu.edu

Being born and raised in Kansas, it’s easy for me to love our tallgrass prairies. Prior to coming K-State for undergrad, I attended Johnson County Community College, where I found my passion for plants and for biology.

During my undergrad here at K-State, my studies included plant biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Alongside my courses, working in the Resilience Ecology lab fostered my love for research. Asking complex questions about our world and using the scientific method to find answers is an exciting and gratifying process for me. I’ve contributed to research pertaining to how bison impact woody encroachment, wallows impact grasslands, and plant-pollinator interactions. My independent undergraduate research project focused on aquatic dynamics and microbial communities in bison wallows. Pursuing a MS in the ecophys lab, I will get to explore how physiological processes in plants are responding to our quickly changing climate. Plant physiology has broadened my understanding of life, deepening my appreciation for all its complexities. Plus, plants are relatable: How can we evade death? How can we budget our energy and resources to succeed? How can we cope with stress? At least for plants, most of those answers are conclusive.

Outside of academics, I have many hobbies. I love spending time with my rescue cat, Butter. Creating art is a big part of my life, whether it be acrylic or watercolor painting, writing, making collages, or sewing, it makes me happy. I love going out on the weekends with my friends and listening to live music. Grasslands are your oyster… or whatever they say.

Meghan Maine
Undergraduate
Biology

I'm a military child that decided to continue living here in Kansas for my undergraduate! I am currently pursuing my degree in Biology on the Animal Biology track, with plans to apply for vet school in the near future. I enjoy working with animals and would like to do animal physiology research to benefit animals in the future.

Katie Janzen
Undergraduate
Environmental Science

I'm an undergraduate studying Environmental Science and Biology. I plan to go to graduate school to continue my education in environmental science. I've always wanted to pursue a career in helping protect the environment. I've grown to care for prairies and enjoy watching the bumble bees mosey around gardens. I'm excited to work on the Konza and eager to meet other fellow scientists there!

Conner Beck
Undergraduate
Biology

I am a Fisheries, Wildlife, Conservation, and Environmental Biologist. Growing up I spent my free time mainly outside throughout the Midwest and South hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. I was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and lived in Junction city, KS; Fayetteville, AR; Shawnee, KS; Austin, TX; and Fort Collins, CO. In these places is where I developed my appreciation for nature. Nowadays you can find me out riding/working on my bikes and photographing wildlife, mainly birds and mammals. If your on instagram, check out my page @conner.beck.photo

Former Post-doctoral Scholars

Amy Concilio (2012-15)
Currently: Assistant Professor, St. Edwards, Austin, TX

Former Graduate Students

Shahla Mohammadi (2021-2024) M.S. - Biology
Currently: Ph.D. position at Purdue

Rachel Keen (2019-2023) Ph.D. - Biology
Currently: Post-doc with Sharon Billings (Univ. Kansas) and Pam Sullivan (Oregon State)

Emily Wedel (2017-2019) M.S., (2020-2023) Ph.D. - Biology
Currently: Post-doc with Tyler Coverdale at Notre Dame

Ryan Donnelly (2020-2022) M.S. - Biology Currently: Ecologist working at Colibri Ecological Consulting, LLC

Greg Tooley (2020-2022) M.S. - Biology Currently: Ph.D. student at Colorado State with Alan Knapp

Marissa Zaricor (2018-2021) M.S. - Biology Currently: Ph.D. student at Michigan State with Lauren Sullivan

Rory O'Connor (2014-2019) Ph.D. - Biology
Currently: Rangeland Ecologist, USDA-ARS, Burns OR

Seton Bachle (2015-2017) M.S., (2017-2021) Ph.D. - Biology
Currently: Post-doc at Li-COR BioSciences, Lincoln, NE

Kim O'Keefe (2012-2016) Ph.D. - Biology
Currently: Assistant Professor at Northern Michigan University

Zak Ratajczak (2011-2014) Ph.D. - Biology
Currently: Assistant Professor, Division of Biology, Kansas State Univ.

Troy Ocheltree (2008-12) Ph.D. - Agronomy and SIMSL Lab Manager
Currently: Assoc. Professor, Dept. Forestry and Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University

Jeff Hartman (2009-11) M.S. - Biology
PhD (2015): University of Nebraska-Lincoln (w/ David Wedin)
Currently: Highway Environmental Program Manager at Nebraska Dept. of Transportation

Sally Kittrell nee Tucker) (2009-10) M.S. - Biology

Jacob Carter, (2008-10) M.S. - Biology
PhD (2015): University of Kansas (w/ Joy Ward)
Currently: Research Director -- Union of Concerned Scientists