People
Dr. Steven Fonte
Associate Professor
I am an associate professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at CSU. My background involves a mix of soils, agriculture, forestry, and ecology. Rooted in these disciplines, my research largely focuses on plant-soil interactions, nutrient cycling, and management impacts on agroecosystem function, biodiversity, and sustainability across a broad array of ecological contexts. This work encompasses many efforts, ranging from studies to improve forage production and quality in grassland fallows of the Andean highlands, to exploring the effects of tillage and residue management on key ecosystem functions (e.g., productivity, water and nutrient regulation, C storage) on farms in rural Central America and Colorado.
Dr. Steven Vanek
Research Scientist II
Steven Vanek conducts research and NGO training activities from the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. His research focuses broadly on soil fertility in smallholder systems, including the use of improved fallows, phosphorus inputs, and biochar to sustain soil productivity in these systems. He is currently focused on accessible soil health testing, and has also taught about food systems and conducted larger-scale analyses such as comparison of soil ecosystem services in land uses and linkages between aboveground and below-ground biodiversity. He has worked extensively in the Andes and also has experience in eastern and southern Africa.
Dr. Aaron Prairie
Postdoctoral Researcher
I am a soil ecologist researching soil organic matter dynamics within agroecosystems, with a particular focus on the role of soil fauna. My work aims to support agricultural systems that foster healthy soil ecosystems, as I believe soil health is crucial for addressing climate change, food security, water quality, and agricultural resilience. To tackle these challenges, I combine meta-analytical approaches to reveal broad patterns with field, greenhouse, and lab studies to uncover the mechanisms driving biogeochemical cycling in agroecosystems. Outside of work, I’m an avid backpacker who enjoys climbing, skiing, and gardening. I also raise insects and arachnids, helping others appreciate and understand these fascinating creatures.
Katherin Meza
Ph.D. Student – Ecology
My research focuses on understanding how the integration of multipurpose forage-based fallows can restore soil health and support multiple ecosystem services in the Peruvian Andes. This work recognizes the important role that farmers and local knowledge play in preserving agricultural landscapes and maintaining long-term soil fertility. My work seeks to understand the social and economic drivers that determine the management of multipurpose fallows as well as their implications for soil biological processes and nutrient budgets across a range of environmental and social contexts.
Girma Worde Feleke
Ph.D. student – Soil and Crop Sciences (co-advised with Jessica Davis)
I graduated from Jimma University with a BSc in Crop Production and Protection and Hawassa University, Ethiopia, with an MSc in soil science. I spent more than 14 years serving as a researcher and lecturer at Mizan-Tepi and Wolkite Universities. My current research focuses on quantifying how legumes, within maize rotations, affect soil health. I am also evaluating soil fertility management strategies on crop production, N-fixation, and multiple soil health parameters. I am curious to know how adding legume residue to the soil affects future N-fixation and rhizosphere microbial communities.
Nick Skaric
M.Sc. Student – Soil and Crop Sciences
I recently completed a BSc in Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University. My main interests include agroecosystem management and soil health practices, with a focus on accessible and practical tools for soil health management. I am passionate about smallholder agriculture in South America and using participatory approaches to develop sustainable solutions to global agricultural challenges.
Anna Maria Visscher
Affiliate Researcher & Postdoc at Wageningen University, Netherlands
I recently finished my PhD in the area of agroecology, studying traditional farming systems responses to global change in agricultural landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. My research focuses on tropical (smallholder) agriculture concerning different types of land-use systems. Specific focus has been on soil health, soil analyses, biodiversity, plant-soil interactions, and agroforestry. I often work using participatory approaches and highly value contact with local workers and farmers.
Past Lab Members and Visiting Researchers
Carolita Landers
M.Sc. 2024 – Soil and Crop Sciences
Thesis title: Cropping system, site, and topographic impacts on deep soil carbon dynamics in no-till dryland agroecosystems.
Siwook Hwang
Ph.D. 2024 – Ecology
Dissertation title: Crop domestication impacts on rhizosphere interactions and nitrogen acquisition
Joyce Mutai
Ph.D. 2024 – Soil and Crop Sciences
Ph.D. Dissertation title: Impacts of cropping system and nutrient management on soil health and soil-borne pathogens in smallholder systems of western Kenya
Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, ETH – Zurich, Switzerland
Tess Noble-Strohm
M.Sc. 2024 – Soil and Crop Sciences
Thesis title: Soil health indicators for water limited regions: sensitivity to compost and cropping intensification
Current position: Research Technician, Cornell University
Pascal Ellisalt Escobar
Lisa Eash
Brynelly Bastidas
Visiting Ph.D. Student, 2022, Universidad Católica, Chile
Project Title: Soil biodiversity and soil food webs in Mediterranean agroecosystems of Central Chile.
Bo (Robert) Collins
Undergraduate Researcher and Intern – Soil and Crop Sciences)
Current Position: Researcher – Soil Health Institute
Nora Flynn
Ph.D. 2022 – Agroecosystem Management
Ph.D. Dissertation Title: The impacts of deficit irrigation on crop production and sustainable soil management.
Current Position: Agriculture Water Planning Specialist, Colorado Water Conservation Board
Courtland Kelly
Ph.D. 2021 – Ecology
Ph.D. Dissertation title: Exploring the role of planned and unplanned biodiversity in the soil health of agroecosystems
Current position: Science Lead for Carbon and Ecosystem Services, Corteva Agriscience
Blessing Magonziwa
Ph.D. 2021 – Agroecosystem Management
Ph.D. Dissertation title: Understanding the dynamics and management of organic nutrient sources in smallholder farming systems: An interdisciplinary approach
Current position: Lecturer and Research Scientist, University of Zimbabwe
Peter Olayemi
Ph.D. 2021 – Agroecosystem Management – Co-advised with Matt Wallenstein
Ph.D. Dissertation title: Feeding the soil to feed the planet: Soil health outcomes from novel amendments to residue management
Current position: Data Scientist, Bayer
Katherin Meza Retamozo
M.Sc. 2021 – Agroecosystem Management
Thesis title: Identifying Grass-Legume Bicultures to Increase Above and Belowground Biomass Production and Improve Traditional Fallows in Crop Rotations of the Andean Highlands
Current position: Research Scientist, Grupo Yanapai, Peru and PhD student at CSU
Dr. Paulina Ramírez Cisterna
Visiting Ph.D. student; Postdoctoral Researcher 2017, 2020-2021 Universidad Católica, Chile.
Current position: Researcher, Oregon State University
Kaytee Ankrom
Ph.D. 2021 – Biology – Co-advised with Diana Wall
Ph.D. Dissertation title: Soil Nematode Community Response to Climate Change and Associated Alterations to Precipitation and Vegetation
Current position: Biologist, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Priscila Matos
Visiting Ph.D. Student 2018-2019, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Project title: Linkages among soil properties and litter quality in agroforestry systems of southeastern Brazil
Katie Rocci
M.Sc. 2019 – Ecology, Co-advised with Francesca Cotrufo
Thesis title: Soil nitrogen cycling in agroecosystems as modified by biochar amendment and plant processes
Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Colorado Boulder
Dr. Jinhua Liu
Visiting Scholar 2018-2019, Jilin Agriculture University, China
Ph.D. Project title: Compost inputs, cropping system, and rotation phase drive aggregate‐associated carbon
Victor Galindo
Visiting Ph.D. Student 2018, Universidad del Valle, Colombia
Ph.D. Project title: Land use conversion to agriculture impacts biodiversity, erosion control, and key soil properties in an Andean watershed
Anna Maria Visscher
M.Sc. 2018, – (Water Resources Management, Wageningen University, Netherlands
Thesis title: Woody field margins influence the provision of ecosystem services and biodiversity within cropping fields of the Peruvian Andes
Current position: PhD student, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy
John Berlejung
M.Sc. 2017 – Soil Science
Thesis title: Amendment effects on soil physical properties and restoration of decommissioned forest roads
Current Position: R&D Production Supervisor, New West Genetics, Fort Collins, CO
Junaidi
M.Sc. 2017 – Agroecosystem Management
Thesis title: Evaluation of spring wheat genotypes in response to soil health promoting management practices.
Current Position: PhD Student, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia
Daniel Melman
International Intern 2016-2017, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Project title: Tillage and residue management effects on soil quality and function in an irrigated cropping system of Eastern Colorado
Anne de Valenca
M.Sc. 2016, Organic Agriculture, Wageningen University, Netherlands
Thesis Title: Land use impact on soil biological fertility in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes
Edwin Garcia
Visiting Scholar 2016, CIAT, Honduras
Project Title: Participatory evaluation of improved pastures and forage legumes for smallholder livestock production in Central America.
Current Position: Researcher, Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza.
Mark Caulfield
Collaborating PhD student at Wageningen University and consultant at the International Livestock Research Institute, 2015-2019, 2022
Project Title: Piecing together complexity: The co-evolution of agroecosystem patterns & natural resource management.