Specialization
Forest entomology and biological invasions across forest ecosystems worldwide.
Educational & Professional Background
Education
- BS, Biology, Allegheny College, 1978
- PhD, Entomology, University of California Berkeley, 1984
- postdoctoral, University of Massachusetts, USA, 1984-1988
Professional Experience
- 2025-present: Chief Scientist, Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague, Czech University of Life Sciences
- 1988-2024: Research Entomologist with the USDA Forest Service
- 2015-2020: Leader of Task Force on Biological invasions in Forests, International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO)
- 2005-2023: Officer (Working Group Leader, Research Group Leader, Division Coordinator, conference organizer) in IUFRO
- Various past journal editorial positions (including Ecology Letters, Ecography, and Biological Invasions), currently co-editor-in-chief of NeoBiota
- Visiting scientist positions in Japan, Spain, New Zealand, Sweden, Australia, and Czech Republic
- 2020-2016: Advisory board member, National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), and NCEAS (National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis).
- Working group organizer at NCEAS, NIMBioS, SESYNC
- Awards
- IUFRO Scientific Achievement Award
- Fellow of the Entomological Society of America
- Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
At Forest Risk Research Centre
Provides scientific leadership and strategic vision for FISC (Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague), drawing on decades of research and international collaboration to shape FISC as a global centre of excellence in forest invasion science.
Beyond Science
I am enjoying exploring the many corners of the Czech Republic and learning about Czech culture and history. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking in mountains and repairing things on my house and I really like gardening! I also am a huge fan of dogs – I identify with their sense of humor and outlook on life!
