People

Our work spans multiple geographies and includes initiatives related to research, education, and outreach. The Institute Team comprises the core group for strategy and implementation of Institute programs and initiatives.

Institute Team

Colin Anderson

Co-Director, Institute for Agroecology • Associate Research Professor, ALE (Agroecology, Landscape, and Environment)

Emily Baker

Postdoctoral Associate

Gabriela Bucini

Research Associate, Institute for Agroecology

Amaya M. Carrasco-Torrontegui

Postdoctoral Associate • Co-coordinator of Andes Region in Agroecology Support Team

Martha Caswell

Research Affiliate, PhD Student

Carlos Andres Gallegos-Riofrío

Research Assistant Professor, Institute for Agroecology

Katie Horner

Postdoctoral Associate, Institute for Agroecology

Emily Hoyler

Operations Manager, Institute for Agroecology

Vic Izzo

Head of Undergraduate Education, Institute for Agroecology • Co-Director, UVM Environmental Studies Program

Anisah Madden

Postdoctoral Associate

Becky Maden

Vegetable Nutrient Management Specialist, UVM Extension • Research Affiliate

Nils McCune

Research Associate, Agroecology Support Team

V. Ernesto Méndez

Co-Director, Institute for Agroecology • Professor of Agroecology and Environmental Studies, Department of Plant and Soil Science

Maryam Nouri-Aiin

Postdoctoral Researcher, Plant & Soil Science

Karen Nordstrom

Research Affiliate • Policy Program Co-Director, Food Solutions New England

Reid Parsons

Business Manager, Institute for Agroecology

About Our Graduate Students

About Our Graduate Students

The Agroecology Community of Practice (CoP) includes the Institute Team, graduate students, and alumni with interest in agroecology and a commitment to fostering transitions to just and sustainable food systems. Within our group, we pay particular attention to transdisciplinary and participatory action research (PAR) approaches. The group distinguishes itself in its commitment to constructive, collaborative work and caring mutual support. Masters and PhD students who are undertaking research on agroecology within the vision and mission of the Institute are eligible to become a part of the CoP.

Graduate Students

Andrew Gerlicz

PhD Student, Plant and Soil Science

andrew.gerlicz@uvm.edu

Martha Caswell

Research Affiliate, PhD Student

martha.caswell@uvm.edu

Lúcio Costa

Ph.D. Student, Gund Graduate Fellow

lucio.proenca@uvm.edu

Lizah Makombore

IfA Affiliate • Gund Graduate Fellow

Lizah.Makombore@uvm.edu

Juliana Neira

Ph.D. Student, Community Development and Applied Economics

Juliana.Neira@uvm.edu

Zachary Smith

Ph.D. Student, Plant and Soil Science • Agricultural Business Educator, UVM Extension

Zachary.M.Smith@uvm.edu

Leslie Spencer

Gund Graduate Fellow • Food Systems Graduate Student

Leslie.Spencer@uvm.edu

UVM Collaborators

Janica Anderzén

IfA Research Collaborator, University of Maine

Janica.Anderzen@uvm.edu

Matthew Burke

Research Associate • Department of Community Development and Applied Economics (CDAE) • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

matthew.burke@uvm.edu

Martha Caswell

Research Affiliate, PhD Student

martha.caswell@uvm.edu

Joshua Faulkner

Research Associate Professor • Farming and Climate Change Program Coordinator • UVM Extension • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

joshua.faulkner@uvm.edu

Stephanie Hurley

Associate Professor, Plant and Soil Science

stephanie.hurley@uvm.edu

Ike Leslie

Institute for Agroecology Collaborator • Extension Assistant Professor of Community Development

isaac.leslie@uvm.edu

Scott Merrill

Research Assistant Professor • Department of Plant and Soil Science • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

scott.c.merrill@uvm.edu

Rachel Stievater

Director, Farmer Training Program

Rachel.Stievater@uvm.edu

tanamá varas

Catamount Farm Manager • FTP Lead Instructor

tanama.varas@uvm.edu

Tom Wilson

Program Coordinator, Office of Community-Engaged Learning (CELO)

tom.wilson@uvm.edu

Undergraduate Fellows

Jamie Cole

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Jamie.Cole@uvm.edu

Jake Darling

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Jake.Darling@uvm.edu

Helen Goodyear

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Helen.Goodyear@uvm.edu

CJ James

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

CJ.James@uvm.edu

MaKenna McBrierty

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Makenna.Mcbrierty@uvm.edu

Brady Miller

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Brady.Miller@uvm.edu

Kendall Muzzy

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Kendall.Muzzy@uvm.edu

Ben Vandel

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Benjamin.Vandel@uvm.edu

Mica Vasseur

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Mica.Vasseur@uvm.edu