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 | Graduate Students | UVM Collaborators | Undergraduate Fellows

Institute Team

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

Postdoctoral Associate

Gabriela Bucini

Research Associate, Institute for Agroecology

Amaya M. Carrasco-Torrontegui

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

Research Affiliate, PhD Student

Carlos Andres Gallegos-Riofrío

Research Assistant Professor, Institute for Agroecology

Postdoctoral Associate, Institute for Agroecology

Operations Manager, Institute for Agroecology

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

Postdoctoral Associate

Vegetable Nutrient Management Specialist, UVM Extension • Research Affiliate

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

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

Aura M. Alonso-Rodríguez

Ph.D. Student, Natural Resources

aura.alonso-rodriguez@uvm.edu

Ayana Curran-Howes

Ph.D. Student, Food Systems

Ayana.Curran-Howes@uvm.edu

PhD Student, Plant and Soil Science

andrew.gerlicz@uvm.edu

Cheryl Herrick Carmi

Ph.D. Student

cheryl.carmi@uvm.edu

Research Affiliate, PhD Student

martha.caswell@uvm.edu

Ph.D. Student, Gund Graduate Fellow

lucio.proenca@uvm.edu

Lizah Makombore

IfA Affiliate • Gund Graduate Fellow

Lizah.Makombore@uvm.edu

Ph.D. Student, Community Development and Applied Economics

Juliana.Neira@uvm.edu

Michelle Nikfarjam

Ph.D. Student, Food Systems

Michelle.Nikfarjam@uvm.edu

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

Zachary.M.Smith@uvm.edu

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

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

matthew.burke@uvm.edu

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

Institute for Agroecology Collaborator • Extension Assistant Professor of Community Development

isaac.leslie@uvm.edu

Associate Professor

Teresa.Mares@uvm.edu

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

Catamount Farm Manager • FTP Lead Instructor

tanama.varas@uvm.edu

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

tom.wilson@uvm.edu

Undergraduate Fellows

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Jamie.Cole@uvm.edu

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Jake.Darling@uvm.edu

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Helen.Goodyear@uvm.edu

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

CJ.James@uvm.edu

MaKenna McBrierty

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Makenna.Mcbrierty@uvm.edu

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Brady.Miller@uvm.edu

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Kendall.Muzzy@uvm.edu

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Benjamin.Vandel@uvm.edu

Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Fellow

Mica.Vasseur@uvm.edu