Lab Team
Douglass F. Jacobs
Forestry and Natural Resources
Principal Investigator
765.494.3608
Douglass Jacobs is Full Professor and the Fred M. van Eck Endowed Chair of Forest Biology in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) at Purdue University. He received a PhD from Oregon State University’s College of Forestry and a MS from University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. His research focuses on seedling quality and planting of forest trees to facilitate reforestation and forest restoration. He also studies silviculture of at-risk tree species threatened by exotic pests to help develop deployment strategies for restoration.
He is Director of the Tropical Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (TropHTIRC) based in Hawaiʻi, Purdue Site Director for the NSF I/UCRC Center for Advanced Forest Systems, and Editor-in-Chief of New Forests, an international journal on the biology, biotechnology, and management of afforestation and reforestation. From 2014-2023, he served as Associate Head of FNR.
Dr. Jacobs was named a Purdue University Faculty Scholar in 2011, the Fred M. van Eck Endowed Chair of Forest Biology in 2012, and received the University’s Spirit of the Land-Grant Mission Award in 2018. He has held visiting professorships at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid in Spain, South China Agricultural University, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He received a US Fulbright Scholarship to live in Sweden during 2023-24, where he serves as Guest Professor with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
Curriculum Vitae
Short Curriculum Vitae
Updated publications at Google Scholar
Dr. Jacobs FNR Directory
Erin Bell
Forestry and Natural Resources
Ph.D. Student
Forest restoration for native bird conservation.
Aziz Ebrahimi
Forestry and Natural Resources
Post-doc
Butternut conservation and disease resistance breeding
Kelly French
Forestry and Natural Resources
Ph.D. Student
Silviculture for drought resistance in sandalwood.
Brianne Innusa
Forestry and Natural Resources
MS Student
Maritime forest live oak restoration.
Rebekah Ohara
Forestry and Natural Resources
Ph.D. Student
Community-managed forest management in Hawaii.
Sylvia Park
Forestry and Natural Resources
Ph.D. Student
Hyperspectral characterization of forest health
Mariana Saito
Forestry and Natural Resources
Visiting Scholar (Ph.D. Student, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Near-infrared spectroscopy to detect forest disease incidence
Caleb Redick
Forestry and Natural Resources
Research Associate
Researching mineland reclamation and hardwood forest regeneration.
Tawn Speetjens
Forestry and Natural Resources
Ph.D. Student
Physiology of sandalwood development.
Emily Thyroff
Forestry and Natural Resources
Post-doc
Sandalwood-host interactions
Andrei Toca
Forestry and Natural Resources
Post-Doctoral Researcher
Acclimating commercial tree seedling root system architecture to drought.
Caleb Kell, Post-doc
MS Student 2023
Comparative silvics of butternut hybrids in afforestation and reforestation plantings.
Emily Thyroff
Ph.D. Student 2023
Regeneration of Hawaiian sandalwood: hemiparasitic relationships
M.S. Student 2018
Evaluating limiting factors of Quercus virginiana (live oak) regeneration.
Aziz Ebrahimi
Ph.D. Student 2022
Butternut conservation and disease resistance breeding.
Madeline Montague
M.S. Student 2021
Belowground interactions in mixed hardwood forests containing American chestnut.
Lilian Ayala Jacobo
M.S. Student, 2020
Cold tolerance and genetic diversity of populations of Acacia koa from different altitudes.
Andrea Brennan
Ph.D. Student, 2020
Technological, ecological, and societal approaches to restoration of threatened tree species, with a special emphasis on the case of butternut (Juglans cinerea) and its hybrids.
Indira Paudel
Post-doc, 2019-2022
Effects of climate on the central hardwood forest.
Mariam Valladares
M.S. Student, 2018
Landscape transitions and socioeconomic drivers as predictors of fire frequency in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Weston Schempf
M.S. Student, 2018
Response to silviculture during reclamation of coal mine sites.
Mercedes Uscola
Post-doc, 2014-2018
Ecophysiology of Iberian pines in response to water and nutrient availability.
Kyle Earnshaw
Ph.D. student, 2017
Plasticity and heterophyly in Acacia koa: Implications for restoration and gap silviculture.
Jennifer Lesko
M.S. student, 2017
Conversion of introduced conifer plantations to native hardwoods.
Silvia Medina Villar
Post-doc, 2016-2017
Effects of exotic invasive trees on different soil properties (nutrient concentrations and mineralization rates) and communities (plants, animals and microorganisms) of riparian and fluvial ecosystems.
Jeanne DeNoyer Osnas
Post-doc, 2014-2016
Plant trait responses to global environmental changes.
Charlotte Freeman
M.S. student, 2015
Combined impacts of invasive honeysuckle and deer browse on restoration vegetative dynamics.
Michael Szuter
Ph.D. Student, 2015
Root dynamics of black walnut under varying competitive environments.
Safi Khurram
M.S. student, 2015
Use of plastic beverage bottles as an alternative container type for propagating forest tree seedlings.
Josh Sloan
Post-doc, 2011-2015
Nitrogen and carbon metabolism in forest trees.
Arjan de Bruijn
Post-doc, 2011-2015
Forecasting carbon storage in eastern forests: interactions of pests, climate change, and American chestnut restoration.
Amy Miller
M.S. student, 2014
van Eck Scholar
Naturalized offspring from an 85-year-old Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) planting: stand dynamics and genetic relationships.
Phillip Crystal
M.S. student, 2013
Response of butternut and associated hybrids to drought, flooding, and cold stress.
Caleb Brown
M.S. Student, 2012
van Eck Scholar
American chestnut drought tolerance under varying light conditions.
Nathan Lichti
Post-doc, 2012
Prediction and management of American chestnut stand dynamics with natural regeneration and blight-induced mortality.
Barbara Mariotti
Visiting Scientist, 2012
Research Scientist, University of Florence, Italy.
MS Student 2023
Comparative silvics of butternut hybrids in afforestation and reforestation plantings.
Emily Thyroff
Ph.D. Student 2023
Regeneration of Hawaiian sandalwood: hemiparasitic relationships
M.S. Student 2018
Evaluating limiting factors of Quercus virginiana (live oak) regeneration.
Aziz Ebrahimi
Ph.D. Student 2022
Butternut conservation and disease resistance breeding.
Madeline Montague
M.S. Student 2021
Belowground interactions in mixed hardwood forests containing American chestnut.
Lilian Ayala Jacobo
M.S. Student, 2020
Cold tolerance and genetic diversity of populations of Acacia koa from different altitudes.
Andrea Brennan
Ph.D. Student, 2020
Technological, ecological, and societal approaches to restoration of threatened tree species, with a special emphasis on the case of butternut (Juglans cinerea) and its hybrids.
Indira Paudel
Post-doc, 2019-2022
Effects of climate on the central hardwood forest.
Mariam Valladares
M.S. Student, 2018
Landscape transitions and socioeconomic drivers as predictors of fire frequency in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Weston Schempf
M.S. Student, 2018
Response to silviculture during reclamation of coal mine sites.
Mercedes Uscola
Post-doc, 2014-2018
Ecophysiology of Iberian pines in response to water and nutrient availability.
Kyle Earnshaw
Ph.D. student, 2017
Plasticity and heterophyly in Acacia koa: Implications for restoration and gap silviculture.
Jennifer Lesko
M.S. student, 2017
Conversion of introduced conifer plantations to native hardwoods.
Silvia Medina Villar
Post-doc, 2016-2017
Effects of exotic invasive trees on different soil properties (nutrient concentrations and mineralization rates) and communities (plants, animals and microorganisms) of riparian and fluvial ecosystems.
Jeanne DeNoyer Osnas
Post-doc, 2014-2016
Plant trait responses to global environmental changes.
Charlotte Freeman
M.S. student, 2015
Combined impacts of invasive honeysuckle and deer browse on restoration vegetative dynamics.
Michael Szuter
Ph.D. Student, 2015
Root dynamics of black walnut under varying competitive environments.
Safi Khurram
M.S. student, 2015
Use of plastic beverage bottles as an alternative container type for propagating forest tree seedlings.
Josh Sloan
Post-doc, 2011-2015
Nitrogen and carbon metabolism in forest trees.
Arjan de Bruijn
Post-doc, 2011-2015
Forecasting carbon storage in eastern forests: interactions of pests, climate change, and American chestnut restoration.
Amy Miller
M.S. student, 2014
van Eck Scholar
Naturalized offspring from an 85-year-old Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) planting: stand dynamics and genetic relationships.
Phillip Crystal
M.S. student, 2013
Response of butternut and associated hybrids to drought, flooding, and cold stress.
Caleb Brown
M.S. Student, 2012
van Eck Scholar
American chestnut drought tolerance under varying light conditions.
Nathan Lichti
Post-doc, 2012
Prediction and management of American chestnut stand dynamics with natural regeneration and blight-induced mortality.
Barbara Mariotti
Visiting Scientist, 2012
Research Scientist, University of Florence, Italy.
Harmony Dalgleish
Post-doc, 2011-2012
Drought stress physiology in newly outplanted trees.
Bira Malavasi
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, Western Parana University, Brazil.
Owen Burney
Ph.D. Student, 2011
Terpene biosynthesis and growth allocation of Pacific Northwest conifers.
Pedro Villar-Salvador
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, University of Alcalá, Spain
Tree Physiology
Shucai Zeng
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, South China Agricultural University, Forest Ecology.
Magnus Löf
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, Swedish University of Agriculture Science.
Marlene Malavasi
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, Western Parana University, Brazil.
Phillip Woolery
M.S. student, 2010
van Eck Scholar
Influence of planting stocktype and simulated browse on Quercus rubra seedling development.
Rosa Goodman
M.S. student, 2009
van Eck Scholar
Nitrogen fertilization of intensively managed Juglans nigra plantations in west-central Spain.
Justin Schmal
M.S. student, 2009
Exponential nitrogen fertilization of Quercus robur seedlings in County Carlow, Ireland.
Anisul Islaml
Post-doc, 2006-2009
Cold hardiness development in relation to nitrogen input.
Ryan Woods
M.S. student, 2008
Influence of density reduction on growth responses, stem quality, and understory dynamics in pole-size hardwood stands in the Hoosier National Forest.
Martin Gauthier
Ph.D. student, 2008
van Eck Scholar
Morphological and physiological responses of fine hardwood tree species to plantation thinning.
Francis Salifu
Post-doc, 2004-2008
van Eck Scholar
Nursery nitrogen loading and retranslocation responses.
Mindy Bumgarner
M.S. student, 2007
van Eck Scholar
Propagation of Quercus rubra container seedlings using subirrigation.
Amy Ross-Davis
Post-doc, 2006-2007
Evaluating nursery practices.
Anthony Davis
Ph.D. student, 2006
van Eck Scholar
Photoperiod manipulation during nursery culture: effects on Quercus rubra seedling development and responses to post-transplant stress.
Robert Morrisey
M.S. student, 2006
Natural regeneration of clearcuts in the stem exclusion stage on the Hoosier National Forest.
Kent Apostol
Post-doc, 2005-2006
American chestnut biology and ecology.
John Kershaw
Visiting Scientist, 2005-2006
Professor, University of New Brunswick, Canada, Stand Management.
Zonda Birge
M.S. student, 2005
Nutrient loading and retranslocation response of oak seedlings.
Barrett Wilson
M.S. student, 2005
Physiological indicators of Juglans nigra seedling dormancy.
Juan Oliet
Visiting Scientist, 2003-2004
Professor, University of Córdoba, Spain, Tree Physiology.
Kevyn Wightman
Post-doc, 2002-2003
Seedling quality assessment.
Post-doc, 2011-2012
Drought stress physiology in newly outplanted trees.
Bira Malavasi
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, Western Parana University, Brazil.
Owen Burney
Ph.D. Student, 2011
Terpene biosynthesis and growth allocation of Pacific Northwest conifers.
Pedro Villar-Salvador
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, University of Alcalá, Spain
Tree Physiology
Shucai Zeng
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, South China Agricultural University, Forest Ecology.
Magnus Löf
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, Swedish University of Agriculture Science.
Marlene Malavasi
Visiting Scientist, 2011
Professor, Western Parana University, Brazil.
Phillip Woolery
M.S. student, 2010
van Eck Scholar
Influence of planting stocktype and simulated browse on Quercus rubra seedling development.
Rosa Goodman
M.S. student, 2009
van Eck Scholar
Nitrogen fertilization of intensively managed Juglans nigra plantations in west-central Spain.
Justin Schmal
M.S. student, 2009
Exponential nitrogen fertilization of Quercus robur seedlings in County Carlow, Ireland.
Anisul Islaml
Post-doc, 2006-2009
Cold hardiness development in relation to nitrogen input.
Ryan Woods
M.S. student, 2008
Influence of density reduction on growth responses, stem quality, and understory dynamics in pole-size hardwood stands in the Hoosier National Forest.
Martin Gauthier
Ph.D. student, 2008
van Eck Scholar
Morphological and physiological responses of fine hardwood tree species to plantation thinning.
Francis Salifu
Post-doc, 2004-2008
van Eck Scholar
Nursery nitrogen loading and retranslocation responses.
Mindy Bumgarner
M.S. student, 2007
van Eck Scholar
Propagation of Quercus rubra container seedlings using subirrigation.
Amy Ross-Davis
Post-doc, 2006-2007
Evaluating nursery practices.
Anthony Davis
Ph.D. student, 2006
van Eck Scholar
Photoperiod manipulation during nursery culture: effects on Quercus rubra seedling development and responses to post-transplant stress.
Robert Morrisey
M.S. student, 2006
Natural regeneration of clearcuts in the stem exclusion stage on the Hoosier National Forest.
Kent Apostol
Post-doc, 2005-2006
American chestnut biology and ecology.
John Kershaw
Visiting Scientist, 2005-2006
Professor, University of New Brunswick, Canada, Stand Management.
Zonda Birge
M.S. student, 2005
Nutrient loading and retranslocation response of oak seedlings.
Barrett Wilson
M.S. student, 2005
Physiological indicators of Juglans nigra seedling dormancy.
Juan Oliet
Visiting Scientist, 2003-2004
Professor, University of Córdoba, Spain, Tree Physiology.
Kevyn Wightman
Post-doc, 2002-2003
Seedling quality assessment.