Our lab seeks to understand the fundamental role of soils in our world. We seek to tell the stories that are invisible to the naked eye. We study biological, chemical, and physical properties and processes along the atmosphere-plant-soil continuum. Learn more about our ongoing research HERE, and who we are HERE.

As humans have ever-greater and wide-ranging impacts on the biosphere, it is critical that we understand the mechanisms that control ecosystem processes so that we may anticipate the impact of future environmental change.


Recent Lab News
July 2018:
A hearty welcome to new lab members!
Jordin Jacobs has joined us to start her MS research in soil physical and chemical responses to piñon-juniper tree removal in the Great Basin.
Brian will be joining us to start his PhD in meadow soil carbon cycling this summer. Cheers to great things ahead!
Adam Greiner is doing an internship studying meadow soil CO2 flux responses to temperature before heading off to Whitman College!

Congratulations, Cordi
Cordi's contributions to science have been recognized with two awards - including a UNR Graduate Student Association Research Grant and the Joan M. Comanor Scholarship in CABNR
March 2018:
PhD Position in Meadow Ecology and Soil Biogeochemistry

The Soil Ecology Laboratory at the University of Nevada (sullivanlab.weebly.com) invites applications for a motivated Ph.D. student to investigate soil carbon losses and sequestration in Great Basin meadow ecosystems. Montane meadows are ecological and biogeochemical hotspots in Nevada, the driest state in the nation. Soil carbon in meadows supports water retention, soil fertility, and vegetation productivity; productive meadows provide forage for greater sage grouse populations. However, meadow degradation may cause soil carbon losses due to meadow drying and reduced vegetation inputs. Can meadow restoration stop soil carbon losses and increase carbon sequestration?
 
The position will involve collaborative research to answer this question and others by quantifying rates of soil carbon sequestration, vegetation composition and production, and soil fauna community size and composition in degraded and restored meadows. The successful applicant should have a BS or MS in soil biogeochemistry, ecology, natural resources, or a related field. Demonstrated writing and quantitative skills are strongly encouraged, as is experience in both field and laboratory settings. The Ph.D. student will have the opportunity to join one of several interdisciplinary graduate programs that is best suited to the interests and career goals of the applicant. The start date for the position should be no later than August, 2018. The student will be supported by a graduate research assistantship that includes salary, tuition remission, and conference travel support.
 
For additional information about the Soil Ecology Lab or this opportunity, contact Dr. Benjamin Sullivan at bsullivan@cabnr.unr.edu. Collaborators on the project include Drs. Tamzen Stringham (rangeland ecology and meadow restoration), Michael Taylor (environmental economics), and Andrew Nuss (entomology).
 
To apply for the position, please submit a cover letter describing research interests and accomplishments, relevant field, lab, and analytical skills, a current CV, any representative publications, and contact information for three references in a single PDF document by email to bsullivan@cabnr.unr.edu. Review of applications will begin April 25th and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.
Picture
May 2017:
Lab technician Stephanie Freund is more than a stellar engine behind our lab and field work... she is an artist, and her artwork was just selected by the ESA Biogeosciences section as their logo. Congrats, Steph!


November, 2016:
At the 2016 Soil Science of Society America Meeting,
Ph.D. Student Cody Reed was awarded the best paper presentation in her session. This was not a student specific award, and recognizes her strong contribution to an invited orgnanized session. Congrats, Cody!