August 3, 2021
Nippert serves as workshop organizer for plant ecophysiology workshop in Rocky Mountains
Phys-Fest 3, an immersive training workshop for graduate students and postdocs focused on plant ecophysiology, took place July 18-23 at the Colorado State University Mountain Campus. Jesse Nippert, K-State Division of Biology professor, was one of five workshop organizers leading the third iteration of this workshop.
The five-day workshop strived to meet three goals: to provide an immersive experience to learn key ecophysiology field measurements in a relaxed small group setting, to learn how to link ecophys data with satellite-based imagery, and to discuss a range of career options available after graduate school. Attendees spent the week learning from instructors while collecting and analyzing data, which culminated in group presentations to end the workshop. Evening activities included outreach opportunities and interactions with different types of career scientists — from those conducting research for government agencies to private corporations.
Much of the area surrounding the Colorado State University Mountain Campus was burned in the Cameron Peak Fire in summer 2020, which offered a unique opportunity to learn key ecophysiological methods and how to apply them to understand the recovery of these ecosystems following an ecological disturbance.
Forty-five attendees, from 30 different universities across the U.S., gathered for the workshop. K-State graduate students in attendance included Anna Shats, Greg Tooley, Rachel Keen, Emily Wedel and Ryan Donnelly. K-State alumni Kim O'Keefe and Seton Bachle served as workshop instructors.
Additional organizers of the workshop included Troy Ocheltree, Colorado State; Brent Helliker, Pennsylvania; Kate McCulloh, Wisconsin; and Chris Sill, Oregon State.
Funding for Phys-Fest was provided by the National Science Foundation, METER, Li-COR, PMS, and the ESA-Ecophysiology Section.