Linda van Diepen
Ecosystem Science and Management
Associate Professor
I joined the Soils group at the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the Fall of 2015. My research interests lie in the field of ecosystem science with a focus on the role of the microbial community in biogeochemical processes such as nutrient and carbon cycling. I am interested in understanding the responses of an ecosystem to various disturbances and how soil processes and plant-microbe interactions mutually control these ecosystem responses.
Research interests
- Role of soil microorganisms in restoration of forests after wildfire.
- Mycorrhizae-plant interactions
- Microbial interactions with invasive plant species, e.g. cheatgrass.
- Effects of forest pathogens on below-ground microbial community dynamics.
Teaching
- SOIL 4140/5140 Soil Microbiology (Spring, 4 credits)
This course provide students with an understanding of the importance of microorganisms and biotic processes to soil properties, ecosystem functions in natural, managed and disturbed settings. It includes an introduction to the morphology, physiology and ecology of the major groups of soil microorganisms, and familiarizes students with the roles of microorganisms in biogeochemical processes occurring in soil.The variety of soil organisms are explored during the lab sessions
- SOIL 4540/5540 Microbial Diversity and Ecology (Fall, 4 credits)
Introduces the diversity and ecology of soil microbes through an integrated lecture and laboratory course. Emphasis on molecular approaches to analyzing microbial diversity and evolution, and student-directed experimental design. Provides a continuum of realistic research experiences in molecular microbial ecology, from field work to evolutionary analysis of DNA sequence data.
Students experience all aspects of scientific research, from soil sampling in the field, to culturing of organisms and analysis of sequence data from cultured isolates.