In celebration of Women's History Month, we are highlighting female Warnell alumni who have made significant accomplishments in areas of research. Today we are featuring Lisa Samuelson (BS ’85, MS ’87), who retired last year as the Luce Professor of Forestry and Alumni Professor at Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. She now holds the title of Professor Emerita. What are the main threads of your research? Tree physiology, ecophysiology, water relations, forest carbon fluxes Tell us about a paper or research project you’re particularly proud of. I am particularly proud of a five-year research project that examined ecosystem carbon pools in longleaf pine forests across the southern United States. I directed the project and worked with wonderful colleagues at the University of Florida and U.S. Forest Service. The project was funded for over $2 million by the Department of Defense. This work will be useful to carbon mitigation projects with southern forests. How do you view your contributions to the field? My contributions have advanced our understanding of environmental and silvicultural impacts on forests, and improved forest management practices. It is my hope that the three tree identification books I have written over my career, the most recent being "Trees of Alabama," illustrate the diversity and beauty of forests to students of all ages. What advice do you have for young women now entering college who might follow this path? The path is not always clear and at times you may falter, but persistence is the key. — As told to Kristen Morales
