Research in Naithani Lab focuses on understanding the impacts of climate change and land use on ecosystem structure, functions, and services, with the goal of informing community-based solutions for regenerative natural resource management.
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Kusum is not accepting new students into her research group until 2026. For information about Biology Graduate Programs and potential faculty sponsors, please contact the Biology Graduate Studies Coordinator Dr. J. D. Willson (email: jwillson@uark.edu).
NSF terminated the BIOLEAPS award on 4/18/2025 due to changes in NSF's mission priorities. We will miss Dr. Lilia Stemet who worked diligently to make the IALE-NA BIOLEAPS activities a success in the 2025 meeting.
Our recent work shows that a peaked response of LAI to accumulated growing degree day is a better functional form than one utilizing days after planting and cultivar-agnostic models perform equivalently to cultivar-specific models.
Ellie Kuhn, Beatriz Moreno-García, Michele Reba, Kusum Naithani, and Benjamin R. K. Runkle (2025) Modeling rice leaf area index and canopy height in the US Mid-South region. Agrosystems, Geosciences, and Environment. doi: 10.1002/agg2.70139
Our recent work introduces novel tools for evaluating and conserving multi-trophic biodiversity in forested ecosystems at the landscape scale.
Our recent work introduces novel tools for evaluating and conserving multi-trophic biodiversity in forested ecosystems at the landscape scale.
St. Rose A., and Naithani K. (2025) Unraveling the Influence of Structural Complexity, Environmental, and Geographic Factors on Multi-Trophic Biodiversity in Forested Landscapes. Ecology and Evolution, Vol: 15(2) e70907. doi: 10.1002/ece3.70907
Alexis participated in the Ecological Forecasting Initiative 2025 Conference in May.
Lilia shared her dissertation research and coordinated BIOLEAPS activities at the IALE-NA 2025 annual meeting in Raleigh NC.
Eston shared his dissertation research at the IALE-NA 2025 annual meeting in Raleigh NC.
Kusum was invited as a keynote speaker at IRALE 2025 annual meeting.
Honey Gaur joined the lab as a doctoral student. Welcome to the group!
Dr. Lilia Stemet joined the lab as BIOLEAPS project coordinator. Welcome to the group!
Dr. Mitchell Pruitt joined the lab as visiting assistant professor. Welcome to the group!
Kusum is starting her rotation as NSF Program Director in Ecosystem Science cluster!
Kusum is starting her rotation as NSF Program Director in Ecosystem Science cluster!
We are looking for the BioLEAPS Project Coordinator. Please apply here.
Kusum presented results from the rice phenotyping work at the International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics in Little Rock. September 9-11, 2024.
Congratulations to Eston for successfully completing his candidacy exam! 🎉 🎈
EcoREU 2024 Program has successfully concluded this week. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated students and mentors whose invaluable contributions made it an outstanding success!
Kusum Visited Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea for KSMB-SMB 2024 Meeting.
Congratulations to Chris on his well-deserved graduation and new position as Biology Instructor! 🎉 Wishing you all the best as you embark on this exciting new chapter of your life.
We had a great time at the IALE-NA meeting in OKC! I am proud of all of you for delivering amazing presentations, accepting audience feedback gracefully, and making thoughtful professional connections.
We (IALE-NA Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee) received a five year IMPLEMENTATION award from NSF for Shifting Culture and Mitigating Inequities in Landscape Ecology Through a Collaborative Network of Professional Societies.
Congratulations to Dr. Ayanna St Rose on her well-deserved graduation and multiple job offers! 🎉 Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we can't wait to hear about your next adventures! Wishing you all the best as you embark on this exciting new chapter of your life.
Please contact Kusum if you are interested in submitting abstract to the Next Gen Sensors workshop at the Plant and Genome Meeting in January 2024.
Congratulations to Alexis for successfully completing her candidacy exam!
Our recent work shows that field conditions are best suited to quantify phenotypic differences across different genotypes and non-sequential method was better at capturing the variability in photosynthesis.
Our recent work shows that field conditions are best suited to quantify phenotypic differences across different genotypes and non-sequential method was better at capturing the variability in photosynthesis.
EcoREU 2023 Program has successfully concluded this week. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the dedicated students and mentors whose invaluable contributions made it an outstanding success!
Eston and Kusum visited ICIPE in Nairobi, Kenya.
Kusum visited International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Nairobi, Kenya.
Kusum visited Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya.
Kusum presented Borneo project work at the IALE-World Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
Eston presented a poster on adaptive fisheries management at the IALE-World Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ayanna presented a poster on remote sensing tools for multi-trophic biodiversity estimation at the IALE-World Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
Megan is visiting the campus for sharing her experience with the EcoREU cohort this summer!
Congratulations to Harrison for the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Predoctoral Fellowship!
Alexis and Ayanna are learning how to use NEON data at NEON Unconference in Boulder this summer!
We are thrilled and proud to welcome and host 10 talented interns in our EcoREU program! These bright minds will be joining mentors from Fulbright, Bumpers, and Engineering Colleges to work on projects focused on ecosystem services.
(Photo L to R: Lizzy, Emma, Claire, Lia, Nina, Kusum (Host), Jason, Isabelle, Necia, Austin, and Helen (not in the picture) )
Congratulations to Alexis on the summer internship at NJ States Parks as a Yale Environmental Fellow!
Congratulations to Eston on the summer internship at ORNL!
Ayanna is learning how to use NEON data with NCAR models at a NEON/NCAR Workshop in Boulder this summer!
Congratulations to Yang Kai on his well-deserved graduation! 🎉 Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we are thrilled to see you embark on this exciting new chapter of your life. Wishing you all the best as you dive into your internship! May this opportunity be filled with growth and learning experiences. You've got this!
Thank you everyone for your hard work!!!
We are proud to welcome Robert in our group as a new PhD student!
Our recent work shows that logging and forest conversion significantly affect soil microbial diversity and can have lasting effects on carbon cycling in tropical montane forests.
Our recent work shows that logging and forest conversion significantly affect soil microbial diversity and can have lasting effects on carbon cycling in tropical montane forests.
Congratulations to Eston for successfully completing his qualifying exams!
Congratulations to Eston for successfully completing his qualifying exams!
Ayanna presented her work at the Black Geoscientists Conference in Houston, TX.
Ayanna presented her work at the Black Geoscientists Conference in Houston, TX.
Alexis presented her work at the joint meeting of the ESA & the CSIEE in Montreal, Canada.
Alexis presented her work at the joint meeting of the ESA & the CSIEE in Montreal, Canada.
Read our recent work on successes, pitfalls, and opportunities for developing open education resources through community-driven collaborations.
Read our recent work on successes, pitfalls, and opportunities for developing open education resources through community-driven collaborations.
Our recent work shows that global food and beverage industry lacks transparency on climate goals and targets, and needs a clear path for monitoring, reporting, and verification of GHG emissions.
Our recent work shows that global food and beverage industry lacks transparency on climate goals and targets, and needs a clear path for monitoring, reporting, and verification of GHG emissions.
Read our recent work highlighting the role of NEON data for next generation ecology research and education.
Read our recent work highlighting the role of NEON data for next generation ecology research and education.
Kusum participated as panelist in a plenary session of IALE-North America to support DEI efforts in the society.
Kusum participated as panelist in a plenary session of IALE-North America to support DEI efforts in the society.
Congratulations to Ayanna for successfully defending her thesis in Biological Analytics!
Congratulations to Ayanna for successfully defending her thesis in Biological Analytics!
Goodbye 2021 and Welcome 2022!
Goodbye 2021 and Welcome 2022!
We said goodbye to Megan, Colby, Ashley, and Leiah with an end of the semester celebration and ended 2021 with some new additions to our YouTube Channel EcologyTalks. Happy Holidays everyone!
We said goodbye to Megan, Colby, Ashley, and Leiah with an end of the semester celebration and ended 2021 with some new additions to our YouTube Channel EcologyTalks. Happy Holidays everyone!
L to R: Megan, Ashley, Leiah, Kusum, Ben, Colby, Kusum, Megan, Kusum, Ayanna, Ashley, Eston, Alexis, Yang Kai, Harrison
Kusum shared lab's work at the Murray State University.
Kusum shared lab's work at the Murray State University.
Eston received the Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship to pursue ENDY doctoral degree. Congratulations and welcome to the group.
Eston received the Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship to pursue ENDY doctoral degree. Congratulations and welcome to the group.
Marvin joined the group for summer REU research. Welcome to Fayetteville.
Marvin joined the group for summer REU research. Welcome to Fayetteville.
We resumed our annual lab lunch to celebrate Renee's defense, Alexis's qualifying exam, and to welcome Marvin to the group. Thank you for your hard work everyone! It was great to see everyone out of the Zoom Screen.
We resumed our annual lab lunch to celebrate Renee's defense, Alexis's qualifying exam, and to welcome Marvin to the group. Thank you for your hard work everyone! It was great to see everyone out of the Zoom Screen.
Kusum participated in the Girls in STEM workshop organized by the museum of discovery in Little Rock.
Kusum participated in the Girls in STEM workshop organized by the museum of discovery in Little Rock.
Yang joined the group as MS student. Welcome to the group!
Yang joined the group as MS student. Welcome to the group!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021!
New year started with uploading videos from last semester's ecology class. Here is the link to our YouTube Channel EcologyTalks if you are interested in watching more.
New year started with uploading videos from last semester's ecology class. Here is the link to our YouTube Channel EcologyTalks if you are interested in watching more.
Our recent work shows that logging and forest conversion significantly affect soil microbial diversity and can have lasting effects on carbon cycling in tropical montane forests.
Our recent work shows that logging and forest conversion significantly affect soil microbial diversity and can have lasting effects on carbon cycling in tropical montane forests.
Our recent work estimated first decadal (2006 – 2015) sediment deficit for coastal Louisiana based on field data.
Our recent work estimated first decadal (2006 – 2015) sediment deficit for coastal Louisiana based on field data.
Our recent work shows that using nests with paper liners may accelerate pollinator population establishment and propagation in commercial orchards.
Our recent work shows that using nests with paper liners may accelerate pollinator population establishment and propagation in commercial orchards.
Kusum shared Lab's work at the University of Central Arkansas.
Kusum shared Lab's work at the University of Central Arkansas.
Kusum shared lab's work at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Kusum shared lab's work at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Alexis received the Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship to pursue ENDY doctoral degree. Congratulations and welcome to the group!
Alexis received the Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship to pursue ENDY doctoral degree. Congratulations and welcome to the group!
Kusum participated in NEON Workshop as guest speaker.
Kusum participated in NEON Workshop as guest speaker.
Renee, Megan, JB, and Kusum presented in the ESA Meeting.
Renee, Megan, JB, and Kusum presented in the ESA Meeting.
Renee successfully defended her thesis. Congratulations!
Renee successfully defended her thesis. Congratulations!
Virtual celebration and our best wishes for her future!
Virtual celebration and our best wishes for her future!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!
New year started with uploading all of the videos from last semester's ecology class. Here is the link to our YouTube Channel EcologyTalks if you are interested in watching more.
Rico and Tico Take on the World!
Rico and Tico Take on the World!
Our General Ecology students (Melodey and Joseph) published their Ecology Media Project as children's book and stopped by to give me a copy of it. You made my day!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2020!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2020!
Congratulations Renee!
Congratulations Renee!
Renee received the Professor Delbert Swartz Graduate Fellowship for outstanding performance in research and teaching. 2019 ended on a good note.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Congratulations Megan!
Congratulations Megan!
Megan had a productive summer fieldwork and a fantastic start of the fall semester with the NSF-Intern Award. She is working with the Environmental Defense Fund to learn about sustainable agriculture and supply chain management.
Congratulations Ayanna!
Congratulations Ayanna!
Ayanna had a great summer, participated in the NEON-TERENO Workshop, received the NEON Early Career Fellowship to attend the Ecological Society of America Meeting and helped Megan in fieldwork.
Fall 2019 NEON FMN Application is closed.
Fall 2019 NEON FMN Application is closed.
Application for the spring 2020 will open in November.
BioQUEST/QUBES Summer Workshop
BioQUEST/QUBES Summer Workshop
Kusum attended BioQUEST/QUBES summer 2019 workshop on data science. Evolution of Data in the Classroom: From Data to Data Science
10th IALE World Congress
10th IALE World Congress
Kusum presented Borneo sustainable agroforestry work at 10th IALE World Congress.
End of another successful semester! Thank you for working hard everyone.
Congratulations to Connor and Elizabeth for graduating with honors. We wish you luck & happiness for your life after UofA.
Congratulations Elizabeth!
Congratulations Elizabeth!
Elizabeth defended her honors thesis successfully. Congratulations!
Congratulations Connor!
Congratulations Connor!
Connor defended his honors thesis successfully. Congratulations!
US-IALE 2019
US-IALE 2019
Renee presented Borneo sustainable agroforestry work at US-IALE meeting.
Read our recent paper on human-elephant conflict management.
Read our recent paper on human-elephant conflict management.
Shaffer L. J., Khadka K. K., Van Den Hoek J. & Naithani K. J. (2019) Human-Elephant Conflict: A Review of Current Management Strategies and Future Directions. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 6:235.
Read our latest paper on how soil microbes act as indicator of wetland condition.
Read our latest paper on how soil microbes act as indicator of wetland condition.
Moon J. B., Wardrop D. H., Smithwick E. A. H. & Naithani K. J. (2019) Fine-scale spatial homogenization of microbial habitats: a multivariate index of headwater wetland complex condition. Ecological Applications. 29(1), e0181.
Ayanna St. Rose
Ayanna St. Rose
Ayanna joined the group as a doctoral student. Welcome to the group!
Ayanna joined the group as a doctoral student. Welcome to the group!
Please fill the survey if you are interested in plants and environment measurements.
IWOMB 2019
IWOMB 2019
Kusum was invited to share her work at International Workshop on Mathematical Biology, Bohol, Philippines.
Kusum was invited to share her work at International Workshop on Mathematical Biology, Bohol, Philippines.
Kusum visited Ramaiah University-Bengaluru, India and shared her research.
Kusum visited Ramaiah University-Bengaluru, India and shared her research.
Kusum visited Wildlife Institute of India-Dehradun to start a new collaboration.
Kusum visited Wildlife Institute of India-Dehradun to start a new collaboration.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2019!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2019!
JB moved to Franklin & Marshall College. Our best wishes for your future!
JB moved to Franklin & Marshall College. Our best wishes for your future!
Renee, JB, Abby, and Kusum spent the summer in Borneo digging soils in tropical montane forests.
Renee, JB, Abby, and Kusum spent the summer in Borneo digging soils in tropical montane forests.
We welcomed Megan Reavis in the group. She will work on the Rice project for her doctoral dissertation. Congratulations for receiving the Doctoral Academy Fellowship from the university!
We welcomed Megan Reavis in the group. She will work on the Rice project for her doctoral dissertation. Congratulations for receiving the Doctoral Academy Fellowship from the university!
We welcomed Connor Perkins in the group. He is working on comparing an expensive commercial soil CO2 flux measurement systems with an inexpensive custom made system for his honors thesis.
We welcomed Connor Perkins in the group. He is working on comparing an expensive commercial soil CO2 flux measurement systems with an inexpensive custom made system for his honors thesis.
Kusum is selected to participate in NEON/QUBES Faculty Mentoring Network.
Kusum is selected to participate in NEON/QUBES Faculty Mentoring Network.
Kusum visited TERI School of Advance Studies, New Delhi, India for a seminar.
Kusum visited TERI School of Advance Studies, New Delhi, India for a seminar.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2018!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2018!
Our recent work shows that development of consistent and transparent practices for model selection are needed for successful model transfer.
Our recent work shows that development of consistent and transparent practices for model selection are needed for successful model transfer.
Jackson successfully defended his thesis. Congratulations!
Jackson successfully defended his thesis. Congratulations!
He will start Medical School in fall 2016. Our best wishes for your future!
He will start Medical School in fall 2016. Our best wishes for your future!
We welcomed Caroline in the group. She will work on her senior thesis.
We welcomed Caroline in the group. She will work on her senior thesis.
We welcomed Elizabeth in the group. She will work on rice project for her honors thesis.
We welcomed Elizabeth in the group. She will work on rice project for her honors thesis.
Kusum received the Faculty Equipment and Technology Grant from the Honors College.
Kusum received the Faculty Equipment and Technology Grant from the Honors College.
JB presented model transferability work at ESA in Portland.
JB presented model transferability work at ESA in Portland.
Jackson and Kusum received Honors College Research Grant to study rice genotypes. Read more about the project here.
Jackson and Kusum received Honors College Research Grant to study rice genotypes. Read more about the project here.
Jackson received the Louise Russert-Kraemer Endowed in Biological Sciences scholarship. Congratulations!
Jackson received the Louise Russert-Kraemer Endowed in Biological Sciences scholarship. Congratulations!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2017!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2017!
JB, Jackson, Maddy and Kusum are presenting at the fall meeting of AGU.
JB, Jackson, Maddy and Kusum are presenting at the fall meeting of AGU.
Maddy received REU Travel Grant. Congratulations!
Maddy received REU Travel Grant. Congratulations!
Maddy presented her summer research project at Arkansas Water Resources Center Annual Conference and at REU Expo at the University of Arkansas. She received 3rd place in poster presentation and returned home after spending a successful summer in Fayetteville. We wish you well for your future success.
Maddy presented her summer research project at Arkansas Water Resources Center Annual Conference and at REU Expo at the University of Arkansas. She received 3rd place in poster presentation and returned home after spending a successful summer in Fayetteville. We wish you well for your future success.
Jack, Marty and Kusum received funding from BASF Co. for working on monarch butterfly habitat restoration. See Arkansas Newswire.
Jack, Marty and Kusum received funding from BASF Co. for working on monarch butterfly habitat restoration. See Arkansas Newswire.
(Maddy) joined the group as an NSF-REU student to work on the Rice Project.
(Maddy) joined the group as an NSF-REU student to work on the Rice Project.
Zach left UofA to focus on his health and work with animals. Our best wishes for your future!
Zach left UofA to focus on his health and work with animals. Our best wishes for your future!
Carly successfully defended her thesis and graduated magna cum laude. Congratulations!
Carly successfully defended her thesis and graduated magna cum laude. Congratulations!
She is starting Dental School in fall 2016. Our best wishes for your future!
She is starting Dental School in fall 2016. Our best wishes for your future!
Jackson received the Honors College Research and Travel Grants and Kusum received the Honors College Mentor's Award for the rice project. Congratulations!
Jackson received the Honors College Research and Travel Grants and Kusum received the Honors College Mentor's Award for the rice project. Congratulations!
Kusum received outstanding mentor award from UofA's Office of Nationally Competitive Awards for mentoring Carly Konzelman. Congratulations!
Kusum received outstanding mentor award from UofA's Office of Nationally Competitive Awards for mentoring Carly Konzelman. Congratulations!
Our recent work shows that interpretation of nutrient limitation in grasslands is dependent on the grain used to measure grass response and that herbivory had a secondary effect.
Our recent work shows that interpretation of nutrient limitation in grasslands is dependent on the grain used to measure grass response and that herbivory had a secondary effect.
Our recent work shows that orchard environment and crop management practices significantly influenced codling moth flight phenology.
Our recent work shows that orchard environment and crop management practices significantly influenced codling moth flight phenology.
Our recent work shows that landscape metrics can be utilized to predict wetland microbial communities.
Our recent work shows that landscape metrics can be utilized to predict wetland microbial communities.
Carly received Honors College Travel Grant for presenting her work at a research conference. Congratulations!
Carly received Honors College Travel Grant for presenting her work at a research conference. Congratulations!
Bhaskar moved to NC State for a new position to work on land atmosphere interaction. Our best wishes for your future success!
Bhaskar moved to NC State for a new position to work on land atmosphere interaction. Our best wishes for your future success!
Jackson Massanelli joined the group as honors undergraduate researcher.
Jackson Massanelli joined the group as honors undergraduate researcher.
Welcome Jackson!
Welcome Jackson!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2016!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2016!
Carly received SURF Grant from the AR Department of Higher Education. Congratulations!
Carly received SURF Grant from the AR Department of Higher Education. Congratulations!
We welcome a new member, Zachary Starr into the group. Congratulations for receiving Doctoral Academy Fellowship!
We welcome a new member, Zachary Starr into the group. Congratulations for receiving Doctoral Academy Fellowship!
Dan presented his summer research project at Arkansas Water Resources Center Annual Conference and at REU Expo at the University of Arkansas. He returned home (Boston) after spending a hot (literally) and successful summer in Fayetteville. We wish you well for your future success.
Dan presented his summer research project at Arkansas Water Resources Center Annual Conference and at REU Expo at the University of Arkansas. He returned home (Boston) after spending a hot (literally) and successful summer in Fayetteville. We wish you well for your future success.
Daniel (Dan) Bereznyakov joined the group as NSF-REU student for the summer.
Daniel (Dan) Bereznyakov joined the group as NSF-REU student for the summer.
Carly received the Louise Russert-Kraemer award in Biological Sciences. Congratulations!
Carly received the Louise Russert-Kraemer award in Biological Sciences. Congratulations!
Nitogen Network
Nitogen Network
Our STEM Leadership workshop for middle school girls was a success!
Our STEM Leadership workshop for middle school girls was a success!
Kusum was invited to present her carbon upscaling work at NACP and Ameriflux PI meeting in Washington DC.
Kusum was invited to present her carbon upscaling work at NACP and Ameriflux PI meeting in Washington DC.
Carly Konzelman joined the group as an undergraduate honors student. She is working with Kusum on ReBUILD Project. Welcome to the group!
Carly Konzelman joined the group as an undergraduate honors student. She is working with Kusum on ReBUILD Project. Welcome to the group!
Dr. Jessica Moon (JB) joined the group as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. Welcome to the group and U of A!
Dr. Jessica Moon (JB) joined the group as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. Welcome to the group and U of A!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2015!
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2015!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Dr. Bhaskar Mitra joined the lab as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. Welcome to the group and UofA!
Dr. Bhaskar Mitra joined the lab as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. Welcome to the group and UofA!
Kusum visited University of Wyoming for Women in STEM seminar
Kusum visited University of Wyoming for Women in STEM seminar
Kusum presented and taught a workshop at the Ecological Society of America Meeting.
Kusum presented and taught a workshop at the Ecological Society of America Meeting.
Read our recent paper showing that common microhabitat preference and limited dispersal are the main drivers for rockcress spatial distribution.
Read our recent paper showing that common microhabitat preference and limited dispersal are the main drivers for rockcress spatial distribution.
Kusum joined UofA!
Kusum joined UofA!
Two postdoctoral positions are available to work on biogeochemical cycling in natural and managed systems in northwest Arkansas region. Please apply online.
Two postdoctoral positions are available to work on biogeochemical cycling in natural and managed systems in northwest Arkansas region. Please apply online.
2014
2014
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