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 FISC
Provides scientific leadership and vision, 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!
