Ecosystems & Environment
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 at the University of Missouri in the School of Natural Resources. She holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Previously, she worked as a Teaching Assistant for the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research administered through Fulbright Austria (2018-2019). She also served as an AmeriCorps Member for the North Carolina Coastal Federation (2017-2018) and worked in several seasonal environmental education positions. Educational background Ph.D. Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, University of Georgia,…
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.
July 16, 2024
Lijing Gao
Gao was trained as an agricultural science communication specialist and an environmental sociologist, focusing on the interconnectedness of agricultural systems with socio-economic, political, and ethical decisions. Her current research focuses on understanding perceptions of livestock biotechnology, particularly genome editing. Gao employs a mixed-method approach. Educational background Ph.D. in Sociology and Sustainable Agriculture, Minor in Statistics, Iowa State University (ISU) 2022 Courses taught Sociology of Natural Resources Transition in Agriculture Introduction to Sociology…
Aug. 31, 2023
Jasmine Neupane
Jasmine Neupane is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Systems Technology in the Division of Plant Science and Technology. Her faculty appointment includes research and teaching responsibilities in Plant Science and Technology. Before starting her position at University of Missouri-Columbia, Neupane was serving as an Assistant Research Professor of Precision Agriculture at Montana State University. Neupane’s research is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, focusing on seamless integration of advanced agricultural technologies into cropping systems. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to addressing the complex challenges facing modern agriculture, such as increasing food production to feed a growing…