PeopleWe are always looking for bright, passionate people to join our team! See profiles below for current lab members and associated projects. If you are interested in joining the lab please email me at jhartsh@clemson.edu with your CV and a brief (1-2 pages) statement of interest.
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Dr. Jess Hartshorn
Principle Investigator
Clemson University
Forestry & Environmental Conservation
Lehotsky 264
Clemson, SC 29631
Office: 864-656-4861
Email: jhartsh@clemson.edu
CV
Dr. Hartshorn completed her B.S. in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry at Southern Illinois University. She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in Forest Entomology, studying the biology, ecology, and management of a pine-inhabiting woodwasp, Sirex. Whether it's marathon training, kayaking, hiking, or practicing and teaching yoga, she enjoys doing anything active in her free time.
Sara Lalk, Ph.D. Forest Resources
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Sara Lalk is a Ph.D. student who joined the Lab in August 2020. Her research focuses on modeling ecological systems in relation to increased pressure on native forest species by woody invasive species such as Callery pear . Previously, Sara served in the Pennsylvania Spotted Lanternfly Program with USDA APHIS PPQ Field Operations following 4 years of forest health work involving various projects spanning invasive pest detection and forest pathogen research. During her involvement with USDA, Sara pioneered multiple outreach projects including a national sample shipment project for state agency early detection and identification of Spotted Lanternfly, and virtual training adaptation of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) material for APHIS program utilization. She is best known for her discovery and characterization of Armillaria species mushroom light production, and crucial work leading to the first detection of the causal agent of Bot Canker of Oak (Diplodia corticola) within Missouri.
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Alexandra Tsalickis, Ph.D. Forest Resources
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Alexandra earned her B.S. at the University of Florida with a major in Wildlife, Ecology, and Conservation. She continued her education at Auburn University where she studied paleoclimatic changes of the southeastern United States utilizing bat guano cores. She is joining the Forest Health lab at Clemson University in Fall 2021 to complete her Ph.D. and to study eye gnats. When she is not studying or doing lab and field work, she enjoys spending time with her dog and being outdoors.
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Prabina Sharma, M.S. Forest Resources
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Hi!! I am Prabina. I earned my B.S in forest science from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. I am really excited about joining the clemson and forest protection lab as a TA in fall 2021 and obtaining a Master's Degree in Forest Science. I am really passionate about the forest and all the factors associated with it. In my free time I love travelling, adventures (already done with bunjee, rafting and paragliding) and other outdoor activities.
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Crystal Strickland, M.S. Forest Resources
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Crystal received her B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at Clemson University in December 2019, and is currently working toward her M.S. in Forest Resources studying non-native invasive plants in recreational areas. Along with Dr. Don Hagan of Clemson University, she co-authored "Winter Tree Identification for the Southern Appalachians and Piedmont: A Photographic Guide", which is now used at universities around the Southeast to teach students dendrology. She lives with her two kids and two cats on the coast of SC and is an Associate Professor of Forestry at Horry-Georgetown Technical College. In her free time she loves fishing and hiking.
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Conner Estes, B.S. Forest Resource Management
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Conner is currently working on his B.S. in Forest Resource Management at Clemson University and expects to graduate in December 2022. He is a plant pathology minor focusing on forest health, and also studies fire ecology. He works on the arbor crew at the South Carolina Botanical Garden and in his free time enjoys hiking, camping, and rock climbing.
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David Lenser, GIS Technician
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David received his B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at Clemson University in 2020 and is currently working towards his Masters in Geographic Information Systems.
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Forest Palmer (M.S.) - Lab Manager
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Forest obtained his B.S. in Environmental Science at Carson-Newman University. He obtained his M.S. in Entomology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville studying the phenology and phenological synchrony of the Emerald Ash Borer and its introduced parasitoids.
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Alumni
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Alex LewisB.S. Forest Resource Management - Clemson University, 2021
Current position: Forester with the USDA Forest Service, Nantahala National Forest |
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Katy Crout, MS 2021Thesis: Laurel wilt in sassafras along the leading edge of disease progression in the Carolinas
Current position: Outreach Technician with Clemson University. |
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Kelsea Young, MS 2021Thesis: In the pines: dung beetle community composition in longleaf pine habitat
Current position: Director of the Baker County Animal Shelter |
