Dr. Rachel Cook, Assistant Professor of SilvicultureGrowing up on a small cattle farm in Southern Illinois, I became interested in soils at an early age. I explored plant and soil interactions in my Masters work with phytoremediation, followed by investigating soil carbon dynamics in Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil for my PhD. I remain fascinated by the complexity of soils, driven by how to better manage these systems, and eager to share my enthusiasm through teaching, research, and outreach.
My current research focuses on forest management for improvement of long-term productivity and protection of precious natural resources. With the help of a team of talented colleagues, researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students, I investigate the effects of nutrient and site resource management on soil and forest productivity.. For me, making the world a better place means ensuring our managed systems are as efficient as humanly possible, producing what we need to thrive while protecting our environment. For more details on my education and relevant experience, see my full Curriculum Vitae. |
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