Soil Biogeochemistry

Category: Uncategorized

  • New paper in Science: Soils and Human Security in the 21st century

    Asmeret is a co-author on a newly released paper in Science on “Soil and Human Security in the 21st century.” see link to article from Science Megazine 

    Read press Releases about this paper from:

    Among other outlets, the paper was also covered by:

  • Congratulations to our amazing lab members – awards, funding!

    We are lucky to have an amazing group of folks in the Berhe lab whose works have been recognized by awards of competitive funding over the last couple of months. Congratulations to:

    1. Morgan Barnes for receiving: i) the Institute for the Study of Ecological Effects of Climate Impacts (ISEECI) Graduate Student Researcher Fellowship; and ii) the Bobcat Summer Fellowship
    2. Lixia Jin for receiving the Bobcat Summer Fellowship
    3. Kimber Moreland for receiving the Critical Zone Observatory’s Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI) Summer Fellowship
    4. Ben Lash for receiving the 2015-16 Health Science Fellowship,
    5. Alex Newman for receiving the Carbon Neutrality Fellowship, and
    6. Fernanda Santos for being a finalist for the University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship

    HOORAY!

  • Our biochar work featured in UC Merced Megazine

    Our recent projects on using nutrient enriched biochar to reduce losses of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous from agricultural soils was featured in the latest issue of the UC Merced Megazine. The article highlights different agriculture related research projects that are currently being conducted at UC Merced.
    See the full article in pages 22-24 in the May 1, 2015 issue of the UC Merced Megazine

  • Asmeret’s work featured by the Hellman Family Foundation

    In 2011, Asmeret was awarded the Hellman Family Foundation’s grant for early career scientists. Recently, the Hellman Family foundation featured a few of the past recipients, including Asmeret. Check this out (link)… Screen Shot 2015-02-10 at 8.43.36 AM

  • Asmeret’s work highlighted by the Earth Science Women’s Network (ESWN)

    Check out the highlight of Asmeret’s work that was recently published by the Earth Science Women’s Network (ESWN) http://eswnonline.org/asmeret-asefaw-berhe/

    … if you are a women doing Earth Science Work, and your are not currently a member, be sure to check ESWN out at http://eswnonline.org . ESWN is an incredible organization that includes women at all different levels in their careers.

  • Postdoc position available in the Berhe lab

    Postdoctoral Scholar – Biogeochemistry, Soil Sciences
    Job #JPF00154

    School of Natural Sciences – Life & Environmental Sciences, University of California, Merced
    DESCRIPTION
    A postdoctoral position in terrestrial biogeochemistry is available in the Berhe lab (www.aaberhe.com) to work on interactive effects of fire and erosion on persistence of soil organic matter. The aim of this postdoctoral project is to investigate decomposition and incorporation in microbial biomass of fire altered or pyrogenic organic matter in order to further our understanding of the mechanisms that control pyrogenic organic matter and bulk organic matter persistence in the soil system. The initial appointment will be for one year and is renewable, depending on performance and availability of funding.
    Candidates must have completed a Ph.D. in soil science, biogoechemistry, ecology, or related fields by January 1, 2014. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working with enriched isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in soil, secondary ion mass spectroscopy (NanoSIMS), or X-ray spectroscopy [Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM) coupled with Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS)]. The successful candidate must be driven, creative and has demonstrated experience with accomplishing established goals in a timely manner.

    Initial review of applications will begin November 30, 2014. Recruitment will remain open until filled.

    Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter 2) a curriculum vitae 3) a statement of research 4) a list of three references with contact information including mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address.

    HOW TO APPLY
    visit https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/apply/154/account_and_contact?

    • Create an ApplicantID
    • Provide required information and documents
    • Provide required reference information

  • Our work shows how drought and extreme changes in seasonality affect the soils’ ability to store water and carbon.

    Extreme changes in seasonality in the Sierra Nevada can have lasting impacts on meadow health and could mean less water and carbon storage in high elevation wetlands, according to research conducted at UC Merced.

    The results of our work indicate that changes in meadow soils and vegetation caused by extreme weather conditions in the mountains over the past three years have decreased the ability of those meadows to bank water and store carbon.

    The paper, just published in PLOS ONE, is entitled “Early Spring, Severe Frost Events and Drought-Induced Rapid Carbon Loss in High Elevation Meadows,” and indicates that snowfall and snowmelt timing play critical roles in the development and sustainability of meadow ecosystems.

    For more on this article see the UC Merced press release here

  • Applications for the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship now open

    If you are a finishing grad student or postdoc interested in joining our research group, consider applying for the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship. The deadline for applications is November 1, 2014.

    Note that the President’s Postdoc fellowship is a very competitive fellowship that provides salary support for a postdoc for 2 years to work with UC faculty and it also provides some research funds. But, perhaps even more important, these fellowships are highly prized because the fellows are included in the President’s hiring incentive that was setup to allow schools to hire fellows in to tenure track faculty positions at any one of the UC campuses.

    Don’t hesitate to let Asmeret (aaberhe(at)ucmerced(dot)edu) know if you have any questions about the fellowship or the hiring incentive.
    The PPF program also has a great FAQ page on their website, http://ppfp.ucop.edu/info/how-to-apply/faqs.html#elig2

  • Chelsea’s dissertation research highlighted by the UC Office of the President

    A feature article on Chelsea Arnold’s dissertation research on the coupled hydrological and biogeochemical implications of the ongoing drought in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California was published by the University of California Office of the President. 

    The article authored by Susan Suleiman states that “Carpeting the high valleys of Yosemite and other parts of the Sierra Nevada, mountain meadows are more than an iconic part of the California landscape. The roughly 17,000 high altitude meadows help regulate the release of Sierra snow melt into rivers and streams.

    But climate change and California’s severe drought threaten to permanently alter these fragile and important ecosystems, according to research by Chelsea Arnold, who was awarded a doctorate in environmental systems from UC Merced in May. Her findings reveal that soil changes already are taking place that could have long-term implications for California’s water supply.”

    The full article is available at the UC Office of the President’s website  

  • Congratulations Samuel and Emma!

    Samuel and Emma successfully defended their Masters Theses and are moving on to bigger and better things. Congratulations both!

    In the Berhe biogeochemistry lab at UC Merced they studied:

    • Emma McCorkle: Determining source of eroded soil organic carbon in low order Sierra Nevada Catchments (Emma was co-advised by Stephen C. Hart)
    • Samuel Negusse Araya: Effect of Combustion Temperature on Soil and Soil Organic Matter Properties: A Study of Soils from the Western Elevation Transect in Central Sierra Nevada, California