Ecosystems & Environment

Wonjin Jeong

July 30, 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…

Seunguk Shin

July 30, 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 Courses Taught…

Emily Althoff smiling.

July 30, 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: Email: Send everything to emilyalthoff@missouri.edu. We look forward to working with you to solve Missouri insect mysteries! Educational background…

Lijing Gao smiling.

July 15, 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 Courses taught…

Jasmine Neupane

Aug. 30, 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…

Zachary Leasor

Aug. 29, 2023

Zachary Leasor

Zack is an assistant professor in climate science within the School of Natural Resources. He also works as State Climatologist and director of the Missouri Climate Center. He serves on panels dealing with adverse weather conditions such as drought and flooding. He also works with the National Weather Service offices and regional climate services to provide climate data and prepare special summaries of significant weather and climate events.   Originally from Louisville, Ky., Zack spent the last several years living in Columbus, Ohio, before moving to Missouri during the summer of 2023. Zack received a bachelor’s degree in meteorology,…

Kelly Wilson wearing blue shirt

Feb. 5, 2023

Kelly Wilson

Educational background Courses taught…

Portrait of Adrienne Ohler

Nov. 2, 2022

Adrienne Ohler

Dr. Adrienne Ohler is FRI’s Associate Director of Policy Research and an Associate Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Missouri. Her research and teaching focus on environmental, energy, and water economics, with particular emphasis on regulatory economics, energy policy, water quality, and utility systems. Her work examines how public policy, institutional design, and technological change shape energy and water security, environmental quality, infrastructure resilience, and economic outcomes. Her research includes energy markets, advanced metering and residential electricity demand, water quality, distressed water systems, and the non-market valuation of environmental amenities. Using a combination of econometric…

Portrait of Allison Pease with river in background

Aug. 1, 2022

Allison A. Pease

Pease is an aquatic ecologist who studies how flow alteration, climate change, and other habitat impacts affect river fish populations and communities. Her work is international in scope, with collaborative research in Mexico, Paraguay, and the Republic of Congo. She and her students also carry out local work in the U.S. with clear implications for better understanding and predicting effects of environmental change on fish populations and aquatic food webs. Educational background Courses taught…

Sam Lord.

Feb. 20, 2022

Sam Lord

Educational background Courses taught…