People

Principal Investigator

I’m motivated by a desire to understand the ecological mechanisms that underpin effects of environmental change on plant distributions in diverse settings so that we can better predict the consequences of human activities for the structure and function of ecosystems at the landscape scale. Ultimately, my goal is to derive knowledge that will contribute to our ability to predict and manage ecosystems under changing conditions. I encourage systems-based approaches to science and interdisciplinary perspectives in my lab. My research efforts span multiple spatial scales, from microbes to landscapes, and take advantage of various tools, from lab assays to computer-based simulation and process models.

Current Graduate Students

Alejandro Marengo, Ph.D. Student, 2024 – present.

Alejandro earned his M.S. in Soils from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. His research examines relationships between plant trait distributions and methane fluxes in arctic tundra ecosystems experiencing permafrost and ice wedge degradation.

Dan Marshalla, M.S. Student, 2022 – present.

Dan earned his B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Notre Dame. His research examines the role of fire history in shaping understory trait composition, as well as its effects on tree regeneration in grass-invaded forests within the Central Hardwoods Region.

Kayla Morrison, M.S. Student, 2023 – present.

Kayla received a B.S. in Environmental Science and minor in plant biology from the University of Vermont in 2020. Her research focuses on the responses of invasive grasses and nutrient cycling to long-term fire activity patterns in the Central Hardwoods.

Current Research Assistants

Ben English, 2024 – present. Ben is an undergraduate in Natural Resources and Environmental Science, specializing in Ecosystem Stewardship and Restoration. In the Fraterrigo lab, he assists with preparing samples for isotopic and elemental analyses, and uses ImageJ for leaf trait characterization.

Molly Creech, 2025 – present. Molly is an undergraduate in Natural Resources and Environmental Science, specializing in Ecosystem Stewardship and Restoration. In the Fraterrigo lab, she assists with preparing samples for isotopic and elemental analyses, and uses ImageJ for leaf trait characterization.

Lab Alumni

Jianhong Zhou, Postdoctoral Associate 2024-2026. Visiting scientist, University of Illinois

Lenarth Ferrari

Yunqian Zhu, Undergraduate and Academic Research Assistant 2023-2025. M.S. student, Columbia University

Jennifer Alvarez, M.S. 2025. Environmental Assessments Specialist, Illinois State Geological Survey

Justin Vozzo, M.S. 2024. Extension Specialist in Forestry, Department of Natural Resources and Envi. Sci., University of Illinois

Marissa Chase, Ph.D. 2023. Assistant Professor, Villanova University

Sam Stickley, Ph.D. 2021. Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resources and Envi. Sci., University of Illinois

Matt Candeias, Ph.D. 2021. Environmental Protection Specialist, US Army Garrison Redstone Arsenal

Sierra Perez, M.S. 2020. Ph.D. student, Indiana University

Luis Andino, M.S. 2020. PhD student, University of Waterloo

Mara Rembelski, M.S. 2019. Research Scientist, National Park Service

Weile Chen, Postdoctoral Associate 2017-19. Assistant Professor, Zhejiang University

Shuang Liang, Postdoctoral Associate 2017-19. Assistant Professor, Zhejiang University

Tyler Refsland, Ph.D. 2018. Manager of Applied Ecology, Wild Seed Project

Denise Devotta, Ph.D. 2017. Senior Environmental Consultant, DHI Group

Stephanie Wagner, M.S. 2015. Environmental Assessments Specialist, Illinois State Geological Survey

Matt Craig, M.S. 2014. Research Associate Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Jinna Larkin, M.S. 2014. GIS Supervisor, Santa Barbara County

Jackie Krall, M.S. 2012. Environmental Scientist, Apex Companies, LLC

Corinne Block, M.S. 2011. Compliance Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific