Ecosystems & Environment
Aug. 19, 2025
Shokhrukh (Shok) Jalilov
Shokhrukh specializes in agricultural and environmental economics, water economics and policy, integrated water resource systems, and the water–food–energy nexus, with a focus on the complex interactions between biophysical and economic systems. His research employs theoretical, empirical, and numerical approaches and involves close collaboration with experts from diverse fields, including engineering, hydrology, soil science, and plant science. Before joining the University of Missouri, he worked at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Australia’s national science agency), the Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, and Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland. He has…
Aug. 7, 2025
Christine C. Brodsky
Christine Brodsky is an Assistant Professor of Urban Ecology at the University of Missouri in the School of Natural Resources. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, M.S. from the University of Delaware, and B.S. from the University of Massachusetts. Her dissertation research was conducted within the Baltimore Ecosystem Study, a Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program. After completing her Ph.D., she worked as a faculty member within Pittsburg State University’s Biology Department. She is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Urban Biodiversity and Design (URBIO) international network. Brodsky also has a…
July 18, 2025
Rick Relyea
Educational background Ph.D. in Ecology & Evolution, University of Michigan, 1999 Courses taught Ecology Animal Behavior…
March 31, 2025
Xiaoping Xin
Dr. Xin’s research focuses on soil biogeochemistry processes, climate-resilient soil management, soil remediation, soil-plant interactions, crop production, precision agriculture, nanotechnology-enabled agriculture, and environmental risk assessment. She is committed to bridging the gap between academic research and practical agricultural applications, aiming to lead innovative studies in soil fertility and plant nutrition that enhance agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability in Missouri and beyond. Educational background Ph.D., University of Florida, 2020 Ph.D., Southwest University, China, 2017 B.S., Northwest A&F University, China, 2012 Courses taught Soil and the Environment (SOIL 3290) Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition (SOIL 4313/7313) Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Lab…
Aug. 15, 2024
Alejandro Plastina
Plastina is the Director of the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) at the University of Columbia-Missouri. His area of specialization is agricultural production and technology, with an emphasis on farm business and financial management. He has received multiple awards, including the 2023 Iowa State University (ISU) ANR Extension Team Award, the 2023 Outstanding Choices Magazine Article Award from the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association, the 2022 Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the 2021 Farm Foundation Agricultural Economics Fellowship, the 2021 ISU Office of the President Excellence in…
Aug. 13, 2024
Kate Nelson
Nelson’s research focuses on issues related to the sustainability of communities and agricultural landscapes (SCALEs). Nelson’s team addresses challenges related to climate change adaptation and social equity, with an emphasis on rural and agricultural systems in the U.S. This work includes studies of: the equity of flood mitigation policy implementation, relationships between landscape structure and resilience of crop production, and rural sustainability assessment. Nelson’s research frequently applies large-scale quantitative spatial analysis to interrogate the bounds of relationships and identify scalar influences but also employs mixed methods approaches to ground and contextualize findings. Educational background Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 2018…
July 31, 2024
Kristin E. Gibson
Kristin Gibson is an Assistant Professor of Conservation and Environmental Education in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. She holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before joining the University of Missouri, she served as a Teaching Assistant for the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research through Fulbright Austria (2018–2019), worked as a Coastal Community Engagement Specialist AmeriCorps Member with the North Carolina Coastal Federation (2017–2018), and held several seasonal positions in natural resources communication and outreach. Educational…
July 31, 2024
Wonjin Jeong
Recent research projects include investigating leisure behavior as resistance in urban greening initiatives, exploring the psychological impacts of neighborhood greenness and park use, and assessing subjective well-being in resident-led vacant lot greening efforts within underserved communities. Educational background Ph.D., Recreation, Sport & Tourism, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign M.S., Sustainability Science, University of Tokyo B.A., Commerce, Waseda University…
July 31, 2024
Seunguk Shin
The dynamics of human-nature relationships and interactions inspire Shin’s research interests. Using social science approaches, he aims to understand what motivates people to participate in pro-environmental behavior, particularly in outdoor recreation and resource management contexts. Shin engages with various natural resource stakeholders including recreationists, landowners, and children to understand how experiential and psychological factors shape their environmental values and behavior. Current research focuses on how human appreciation of nature’s benefits influences the formative process of environmental values. Educational background Ph.D. Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2023…
July 31, 2024
Emily Althoff
Althoff holds a split appointment between MU and Lincoln University. Here, she hopes to research local concerns in pest management and conservation working with local, state, and federal partners. Results from her research are incorporated into her extension programming. Requesting Insect Identification from the Althoff Lab: Photos: Submit clear, well-lit photos of the insect (top, bottom, head, abdomen, legs) and any damage it caused. Include its location. Briefly describe where you found the insect and any issues it’s causing. Email: Send everything to emilyalthoff@missouri.edu. We look forward to working with you to solve Missouri insect mysteries! Educational background Ph.D.