The 2023 IPBES Invasive Species Assessment indicates that more than 3,500 invasive species with documented negative impacts have been recorded worldwide. Although their numbers are likely to be underestimated and expected to increase, 1,061 plant species contribute to that statistic.
Allan is investigating how prescribed burns affect the spread of laurel wilt, an invasive insect-vectored fungal disease caused by Harringtonia lauricola.
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Dr. Badgley and his lab conduct research in environmental microbiology with a particular focus on how populations and communities of microorganisms impact water and soil quality.
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Dr. Barney’s research is broadly focused on the causes, consequences, epidemiology, management, and policy of invasive plant species.
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Dr. Bell is an environmental sociologist whose research has primarily focused on environmental and climate (in)justice in fossil-fuel extraction communities; however, her emerging areas of interest are focused on community-based restoration strategies on public and community-owned forest lands in Appalachia, including both invasive exotic plant species removal and the cultivation of native forest medicinal herbs and forest foods.
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Dr. Fearer’s research explores the micro- and macro- level impacts of nonnative pathogens on forest ecosystems. She has studied laurel wilt disease, beech bark disease, beech leaf disease, and walnut witches’ broom.
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Dr. Haak’s research is focused on identifying genomic regions of plants and microbes that can be used to improve plant health to promote a sustainable and secure food supply.
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Dr. Jones investigates temporal and spatial changes in insecticide resistance in German cockroach populations, as well as the chemical ecology of several pest and invasive species behavior.
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King leads urban forest and arboricultural best management practices on the Virginia Tech campus.
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Klopf specializes in plant ecology and land reclamation, and manages research projects related to the revegetation of mined landscapes, the use of native plant species for reclamation and restoration, community ecology, wetland ecology, water quality monitoring, American chestnut restoration, and forest genetics.
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Dr. Larsen-Gray’s research focuses on wildlife ecology in private, working forests throughout the eastern United States.
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Manchester works with Native American Tribes to promote traditional ecological knowledge.
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Miles studies the biological control of tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) with a soil-borne fungus (Verticillium nonalfalfae) and their interaction with spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula).
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Dr. Reid studies ecological restoration and community assembly in tropical and temperate terrestrial ecosystems.
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Ripa is researching how to limit non-native plant invasion of stream restoration projects and how both restoration and invasion might impact the soundscape, particularly as it relates to anuran communities.
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Ruether studies chemically-mediated interactions between spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) and its host plants, tree-of-heaven and wine grapes.
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Dr. Salom researches forest insect and weed pests, with an emphasis on developing tools and strategies to improve management for those pests. His main area of focus is the biological control of hemlock woolly adelgid and tree of heaven.
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Dr. Schmale’s research explores how microorganisms are transported over long distances in the atmosphere.
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Dr. Seiler’s research explores the ecophysiology of invasive plants, including acclimation to changing environments (e.g. light and temperature).
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Shively’s research explores the biocontrol of tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) with a soil-borne fungus (Verticllium nonalfalfae), as well as the restoration ecology of invaded areas.
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Dr. Buyuktahtakin Toy’s research explores optimal management of invasive species with mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence. Past species of interest include the emerald ash borer in North America, Sericea Lespedeza in the Great Plains, and buffelgrass in the Sonoran Desert.
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Dr. Westwood studies parasitic plants, both native and introduced, with special emphasis on their biological adaptations for parasitism and potential mechanisms by which host plants respond to parasitism.
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The Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC) at Virginia Tech aims to position the university as a center of excellence in the science, policy, and management of invasive species by bridging disciplinary divides, driving innovative solutions, and engaging in team science.
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