Mission Statement

As a lab that studies soils and soil organisms, we are keenly aware of the intricate balance of life and interactions that guides ecosystem function. Soils provide the foundation for all life in terrestrial ecosystems, through a diversity of life forms, traits, functions and interactions. Symbioses, feedbacks, facilitation and even competition allow the organisms to cycle nutrients, sequester carbon and provide resources for photosynthesis. Our mission is to take the lessons from the soil to create an inclusive and welcoming laboratory and field research group. According to the Society of Ecological Restoration, collaboration between people of different cultures is an inexorable component of effective ecological restoration (Gann et al. 2019). We recognize that interaction, diversity, different viewpoints, abilities and life experiences add to our science and our community. Northern Arizona University has adopted a clear land acknowledgement recognizing the indigenous history of the landscapes in which we operate. We work to restore landscape and ecosystem function through soils. We commit to do science that will lead to more diverse and resilient ecosystems shaped by a diverse and resilient science community.​

lab vibes

MEET the TEAM

Principal Investigators

Matthew Bowker, Phd

Associate Director, ECOSS
Professor, Forestry
​CURRICULUM VITA

Matt Bowker (he/him) has broad interests within ecology. He is both a soil and plant ecologist, and works in applied and fundamental science settings, in many ecosystem and community types including forests, rangelands and deserts. His research has spanned multiple levels of organization – organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes – and has ranged in scale from microcosm to global.

The unifying thread in the majority of his research to date has been his long-term fascination with the dryland ecosystems of the world and their sustainable use. He has conducted research in most western US states, most of the major North American deserts and semi-arid ecoregions, in addition to drylands of Spain, Australia and Mexico and desert-like degraded regions of Iceland.
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By addressing fundamental questions about dryland ecosystem function, and employing a from-the-ground-up soil-focused approach to dryland restoration, Bowker hopes to enable better understanding and wiser use of rapidly changing dryland biomes.

Anita Antoninka, PhD

AssOCIATE Research Professor, Forestry

Dr. Anita Antoninka (she her) is an Associate Research Professor and a mother of two. Anita is fascinated by the interface of the above- and below ground systems. The soil environment is shaped from above and from within. She is interested in understanding the interactions of soil biota with each other and with changing resources or environment, and leveraging that to restore degraded ecosystems. She is a strong advocate for equity and inclusion in science.

Courses Taught:
  • Biology 458/558 and 459/559: Success in Research Parts I and II
  • Biology 498: Preparing for Post-Graduate Pathways
  • Biology 498: A Graduate School Primer
  • Forestry 497: Culturally Responsive Natural Resources Management
  • Environmental Sciences 498: Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology
  • Environmental Sciences 230L: Foundations of Environmental Sciences

Research STaff

Kara Gibson, Phd

​POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER

Kara Gibson (she/her), PhD
Kara is a soil fauna enthusiast, illustrator, and current postdoc in the DIRT lab. She studies the effects of wildfire and forest management activities on nematodes, mites, collembolans, and other soil critters--although more recently, she has also begun assisting with a biocrust restoration project. She came to the broader DIRT Lab many years ago as a master’s student of Dr. Nancy Johnson’s and never wanted to leave. When she is not in soil ecologist mode, she enjoys games of fetch, playing with fabric, and trying to collect new skills. 

Sierra Jech, PhD

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Sierra is a soil microbial ecologist with an interest in dryland ecosystems and restoration. Her current work is focused on broad scale patterns in biocrust diversity, function, and response to disturbance as part of the CrustNet project. CrustNet is a globally distributed biocrust experiment and sampling network, funded by MPG Ranch and NSF. Sierra will establish 10 CrustNet sites in North America.  

Sienna chapman

Research technician

Sienna Chapman is a research technician for the DIRT lab with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and over ten years of elementary school teaching experience. She is passionate about science communication and fiercely curious about desert southwest ecology. When not helping out in the lab she enjoys reading/writing sci-fi, climbing, baking and caving.

SETH CHARLIE

Research technician

Coming soon!

Graduate Students

Jasmine Anenberg

Ph.D. candidate

Jasmine (she/her) is exploring how to use biological soil crust as an innovative tool for ecological restoration. She is currently trying to understand the functional ecology of biocrust, as well as develop ways to successfully cultivate and apply it in restoration settings. 
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Keven Griffen

Ph.D. Student

Keven (she/her) is a PhD student interested in biological soil crusts, biogeochemistry, and restoration ecology, particularly in disturbed dryland ecosystems. After several years spent working for the National Park Service across the West, she found her way to the DIRT lab via the USGS in Moab, where her love of biocrusts was born. When she isn't staring at soils, Keven spends her time knitting socks, baking, and frolicking outside in the Arizona sunshine.

Ben covington

Ph.D. Student

Ben is a PhD student developing new techniques to restore forests after wildfire. After studying chemistry and working as a chemist, Ben is now focused on fire-loving mosses and the protective biocrust they form in burned environments. He has innovated new ways of growing fire mosses and for attempting to establish them in the field to boost soil health.

Ember Saville

M.S. Student 

Ember is a first-year master's candidate specializing in analytical and environmental chemistry. Working with both the DIRT lab and Dr. Jani Ingram's research group, her research investigates the reclamation of heavy metals through biocrust, looking specifically at the Navajo Nation's abandoned uranium mines. Outside of lab work, Ember loves to climb, read, and country swing dance. 

Amber Born

M.S. Student

Amber (she/her) is currently a Masters student in the College of Forestry whose research interests are herpetology and entomology. Her current research focuses on studying the effects of fire severity on the Jemez Mountain Salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus) prey base and habitat. In her free time she enjoys running, reading and being outdoors.

Daniela Tirado Barva

M.S. Student

Coming Soon!

Christina Trimingham

M.S. Student

​​Christina (she/her) is a Master's student interested in entomology, hydrology, and soil science. Her current research explores the effects of a warming climate on the interactions of soil mesofauna and biological soil crusts. Outside of research she enjoys any form of playing outdoors, frolicking with her dog Dusty, and attempting to make tasty ferments!

Post-BACCALAUREATE SCHOLARS

ryan yazzie

Post-​baccalaureate scholar

Ryan R. Yazzie is a 2024 RaMP Scholar at NAU, School of Forestry. He holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from Fort Lewis College and has presented his research on soil recultivation, biocrust restoration, and protein crystallization at national conferences like SACNAS and ASBMB. Research in the DIRT Lab focuses on reclamation and radionuclide treatment on abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation, as well as utilizing UHPLC-MS based non-targeted metabolomics analysis, in collaboration with University of Denver, Aron Lab, on plant roots, seeds, and soils treated with reclaimed/non-reclaimed water from Snowbowl. In his free time, Ryan enjoys herding cattle, fixing broken down cars, applying his scientific knowledge to support ecological resilience, and staying connected to the land and traditions of the Navajo Nation.

fatu-chanel fatu

Post-​baccalaureate scholar

Fatu-Chanel Fatu (he/him/his) is a RaMP Scholar currently researching the potential of biocrusts as wind barriers on the Navajo Nation and the effects of reclaimed water on mycorrhizal fungi and soil chemistry on the San Francisco Peaks. His interest in integrating traditional ecological knowledge with western science brought him to the DIRT Lab to address climate resilience and ecosystem restoration. Outside the lab, he enjoys playing volleyball, reading, listening to music, and snowboarding.

cecilia sahnow

Post-​baccalaureate scholar

Cecilia (she/her/ella) is currently a RaMP scholar at Northern Arizona University, researching how biocrusts and native plants can be used as restoration and soil stabilization tools on Navajo Nation. She is also investigating the factors—fire, smoke, or both—that stimulate the growth of fire moss post-fire. She has a strong background in plant ecology and community-centered environmental revitalization, having worked on projects involving biocrust, native plant restoration, and wetland stewardship.

In her free time, Cecilia can be found staring at moss, playing fetch with her cat, or digging for roly-polys with her niece and nephew.

Undergraduates

Bowie Ching

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

Bowie is an Environmental Engineering major working on building a portable wind tunnel to measure wind erosion resistance of soil surfaces. Bowie's research mentors are Lydia Bailey, Jasmine Anenberg and Anita Antoninka. 

LAB VISITORS & Associates​

Helen rowe, phd

associate research professor

Dr. Rowe has been studying restoration ecology topics for 20 years, beginning with her PhD studies of the relationship of mycorrhizal fungi in restoring native plant communities in a system invaded by cheatgrass. Most recently, she has developed research and monitoring programs in restoration, invasive species, and biodiversity conservation with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Her recent restoration research has focused on identifying best practices for native plant establishment and efficient approaches for removing invasive species. She collaborates with other members of the DIRT lab on biocrust cultivation and integrating biocrust into restoration in the Sonoran Desert. She is also the Chair of the IUCN SSC Sonoran Desert Plant Species Specialist Group, leading the effort to assess the extinction risk of Sonoran Desert Plants for the purpose of informing conservation planning and action.

Danika thiele

M.S. Student

Danika (she/her) is currently an Environmental Science & Policy masters student and Research Associate interested in ecology, mycology, and science communication. She combines her backgrounds in journalism, graphic design, and ecology to translate science into actionable solutions for land managers at the Ecological Restoration Institute. A Florida transplant, Danika also writes for KNAU's "Earth Notes" and enjoys walking up hills.

DARREN OLNEY

M.S. STUDENT

Darren Olney is a Master’s candidate in Environmental Science and Policy at Northern Arizona University, focusing on ecological restoration and soil stability in arid landscapes. His research explores the role of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) in mitigating erosion and enhancing soil health, particularly in wildfire-affected ecosystems. Conducting fieldwork in the Sonoran Desert’s Tonto National Forest, Darren investigates biocrust sod and pellet inoculation techniques to improve soil stability and native plant establishment. His work contributes to sustainable land management strategies and the broader effort to combat desertification and ecosystem degradation in drylands.

NATALIE JONES

Ph.D. Student

Natalie is a Ph.D. student in NAU's Astronomy and Planetary Science Department, advised by Drs. Christopher Edwards and Alicia Routledge. Natalie is investigating  microbial polysaccharides in Mars analog environments.

PAST LAB MEMBERS 

Lydia Bailey, Ph.D. Student & Post-doctoral Researcher


Madeline Mayorga, RaMP Scholar (Post-bacc.)


Michael Sloan, Research Technician


Brianne Cooke, Undergraduate NASA Fellow & M.S. Student


Marc Gomez, Undergraduate Researcher


​Nelly McCuistion, Undergraduate NASA Fellow & M.S. Student


Amanda Gonzalez, Undergraduate Researcher

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Hilina Yohannes Kebede, Ph.D. Student

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Cristina Rengifo-Faiffer, Ph.D. Student


Stephanie Miller, Ph.D. Student


Kyle Doherty, M.S. Student & Ph.D student


Michael Remke, Ph. D. Student


Henry Grover, Ph.D Student 


Landon Kuestersteffen, Hooper undergraduate scholar, M.F. student


Mildred Diaz, Hooper undergraduate scholar


Sedona Spann, Technician


Jesse Mike, M.S. Student


Kristina Young, M.S. Student


Jenny Hedin, REU Scholar


Chris Ives, M.S. Student


Channing Laturno, Technician & undergraduate researcher (NASA Space grant intern)


Laura Brown, Undergraduate Researcher


Daniel DePinte, Undergraduate Hooper Fellow


Pete Chuckran, Technician


Dustin Kebble, Technician


Harlan Tso, REU scholar


Amanda Knauf, undergraduate researcher


Tonny Huang, REU Scholar


Lucas Molina, Undergraduate Hooper Fellow


Anjali Zukosky, Interns to Scholars Fellow


Jeff Wright, Technician


Ansley Roberts, Technician


Katarina Smail, Technician

PAST LAB VISITORS

Dr. Noa Balaban, visiting scholar (Research Scientist, Negev Nuclear Research Center)


Karen Nuñez, visiting Fulbright fellow (Ph.D. Candidate, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica of San Luis Potosí, Mexico)
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Dr. Katherine Stewart, visiting scholar (Professor, University of Saskatchewan)


Dr. Line Rochefort, visiting scholar (Professor, Laval University)


Bo Xiao, visiting scholar (Professor, China Agricultural University)


Juliana Monteiro, visiting Fulbright fellow (Ph.D. Student, University of Lisbon, Portugal)


Steffen Seitz, visiting Fulbright fellow (Professor, University of Tubingen, Germany)


Edith Allen, visiting scholar (Professor, University of California Riverside)


Mike Allen, visiting scholar (Professor, University of California Riverside)


Dr. Yunge Zhao, visiting scholar (Professor, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil & Water Conservation)


Dr. Mingxiang Xu, visiting scholar (Professor, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Soil & Water Conservation)


Dr. Laura Concostrina, visiting scholar (Marie Curie Post-Doctoral Fellow)


Max Mallen-Cooper, visiting scholar (Ph.D. candidate, University of New South Wales Australia)


​Angela LaFuente, visiting scholar (Ph.D. candidate, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid)

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Nagore Garcia Medina, visiting scholar (Ph.D. candidate, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid)
Interested in joining the lab?

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