The Ohio Soil Ecology Collaboratory is a group of researchers in the state of Ohio with similar interests in soils and their influence on plants, water, and global biogeochemical cycles.

Our primary goal is to share resources, instrumentation, and findings such that the quality and progress of research are optimized and every member has access to resources greater than their laboratory alone.  The Ohio Soil Ecology Collaboratory is a laboratory without walls.

We happily accept new members at any time.  The only requirements for membership are participation in events and maintaining a spirit of collaboration and intellectual curiosity.   

Investigators

Dr. Amy Burgin, Assistant Professor 
Dept. of Biological Sciences, Wright state University 
Microbial Community Ecology, Aquatic and Terrestrial Nutrient Cycling & Ecosystem Processes 
Lab Website

Dr. Chris Blackwood, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Biological Sciences, Kent State University
Microbial Community & Physiological Ecology, Plant-Soil Interactions, Ecosystem Processes
Lab Website

Dr. David Burke, Staff Scientist
The Holden Arboretum & Case Western Reserve University (Adjunct)
Rhizosphere Ecology, Plant-Microbe Interactions, Molecular Microbial Ecology, and Plant Ecology
Lab Website

Dr. Jared L. DeForest, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Environmental & Plant Biology, Ohio University
Soil Biogeochemistry, Microbial Function, Plant-Microbial Interactions
Lab Website    

Dr. Melany Fisk, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Zoology, Miami University
Soil Microbial Ecology, Nutrient Cycling, Decomposition
Lab Website

Dr. Terry Loecke, Research Associate 
Dept. of Biological Sciences, Wright state University 
Biogeochemistry, Microbial Ecology, Nutrient Cycling & Plant-Soil Interactions

Dr. Wendy M. Mahaney, Visiting Scientist
The Holden Arboretum
Decomposition, Nutrient Cycling, & Plant-Soil Interactions 
Website

Dr. Kurt A. Smemo, Staff Scientist
The Holden Arboretum & Kent State University (Adjunct)
Biogeochemistry, Microbial Ecology, Decomposition & Nutrient cycling 
Lab Website

Dr. Michael N. Weintraub, Assistant Professor of Soil Ecology
Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo
Decomposition, Nutrient Cycling, & Plant-Soil Interactions
Lab Website

Post-doctoral Investigators

Dr. Sarah Kyker
Case Western Reserve University
Microbial and Molecular Ecology, Vernal Pools & Nutrient Cycling
Website

Graduate Students

Michael Elk
University of Toledo
Decomposition, Nutrient Cycling, & Plant-Soil Interactions

Homer Elliott 
Ohio University
Nutrient Cycling, Biogeochemistry, Ecosystem Stress

Larry Feinstein
Kent State University
Microbial Ecology, Decomposition, Nutrient Cycling, & Plant-Soil Interactions

Matt Gacura
Kent State University
Microbial Ecology, Decomposition, Nutrient Cycling, & Plant-Soil Interactions

Danielle Kurek
University of Toledo
Decomposition, Nutrient Cycling, & Fire management

Zachary Rinkes 
University of Toledo
Decomposition, Nutrient Cycling, & Plant-Soil Interactions

Oscar Valverde
Kent State University
Evolution of root traits, Decomposition, Nutrient Cycling, & Plant-Soil Interactions