Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University
Biography
Supervising Faculty: Virginia Dale
My research will contribute to broad-scale global sustainability solutions in the fields of ecosystem services and energy, especially in the agricultural sector; I hope it will facilitate policy recommendations for regional to global sustainability efforts associated with agriculture, energy and climate science. These issues are at the forefront of policy development in local, state, national and international organizations.
Research with the theme of land use and aquatic interactions during my undergraduate and graduate programs were a major factor in my current research goals. Additional experience in a cell wall carbohydrates research laboratory (University of Georgia) provided training on a suite of molecular biology and biochemistry techniques. My later efforts with an environmental consulting firm in Alabama included intensive field work primarily related to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers aquatic resource regulations. Most recently as a research associate I have been involved in organic and sustainable agriculture here at University of Tennessee.
Given these experiences I am now focused on processing datasets using modeling approaches that combine long-term ecosystem science and recent agricultural, energy and climate research to develop new best management practices for sustainable energy and agricultural systems.
Working Dissertation Title: Improving sustainability of farming systems through assessment and adaptive management: employing ecosystem services for resilient, climate smart and energy efficient farms
Research
- The effect of agricultural cover crops on phosphorus availability or export compared to fallow soil: a meta-analysis.
- A landscape perspective for assessing agricultural sustainability of rainfed and irrigated maize production in the midwestern U.S.
- Relevant indicators and metrics for sustainable intensification in maize and wheat systems: towards multi-scale integrated assessment. In collaboration with CIMMYT and IIASA
- Evaluating sustainability and resilience in agricultural systems using an integrated, web-based app for on-farm self-assessment and resource discovery --Funded in part by the university of Tennessee’s Institute for Secure and Sustainable Environment Seed Grant
- myCPP: a visualization tool for USEPA’S clean power plan
- Anticipated challenges in EPA clean power plan compliance
- Sustainable electricity from non-powered lock/dam systems –policy white paper in progress
Education
Mater of Science, Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, cum laude, Kent State University
Awards and Recognitions
- 2016-2017: Evaluating sustainability and resilience in agricultural systems using an integrated, web-based app for on-farm self-assessment and resource discovery; University of Tennessee’s Institute for Secure and Sustainable Environment Seed Grant
- 2015-2016: Lori Mayer Graduate Fellowship, University of Tennessee
- Graduate student Research Teaching Assistantships - University of Notre Dame Dept. Biological Sciences
- Sigma Xi Grant-In-Aid- for Research travel and research, University of Notre Dame
- Certificate in Striving for Excellence in College and University Teaching, Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Notre Dame
Publications
Google Scholar profile: Sarah E. Eichler
Other links: myCPP