Join us in welcoming our 2026-27 Research Fellows and 2027 Faculty Fellows! These fellows from across our consortium will conduct research that aligns with NW CASC science priorities and meets real-world climate adaptation needs.

2026-27 Research Fellows

Our Research Fellowship Program provides one-year fellowships — which align with the academic year — to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to conduct actionable climate adaptation research in collaboration with natural resource managers and decision-makers, while receiving training in the principles of actionable science. Skim through the list below and click to learn more on their bio and project pages!

Lara Breitkreutz

Adaptive Capacity of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Populations in a Warming Washington State

University of Washington
Faculty Advisor: Kerry Naish

Drew Burke

How are Plant Communities Developing in a Recently Restored Tidal Marsh in the Stillaguamish River Estuary?

Western Washington University
Faculty Advisor: John Rybczyk

Cole Doolittle

Measuring What Matters: Helping Forest Managers Turn Microclimate Data Into Decisions

Oregon State University
Faculty Advisor: Meg Krawchuk

Trevor Faske

Finding the Right Sagebrush for Tomorrow’s Landscapes

University of Montana
Faculty Advisor: Akasha Faist

Olivia Horwedel

How do Clam Gardens Support Generational Food Abundance in Times of Climate Stress?

University of Washington
Faculty Advisor: Mia Bennett

Sofia Kruszka

Using a Landscape Simulation Model to Understand how to Resist, Adapt or Direct Forest Loss Due to Changing Climate and Wildfire

University of Washington
Faculty Advisor: Brian J. Harvey

Naomi Oberg

Integrating Plant-Soil Microbe Interactions Into Restoration Planning for Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) Across Southwest Idaho

Boise State University
Faculty Advisor: Allison Simler-Williamson

Natalia Rogova

Predicting Cheatgrass Booms and Busts in the Sagebrush Steppe for Better Land Management Timing

Oregon State University
Faculty Advisor: Lisa M. Ellsworth

Kandace Wheeler

What Are the Molecular Mechanisms Contributing to Climate Resilience or Sensitivity in Invasive Green Crabs and Native Dungeness Crabs?

Portland State University
Faculty Advisor: Paola López-Duarte

2027 Faculty Fellows

Our Faculty Fellowship Program provides one-year fellowships — which align with the calendar year — to small cohorts of faculty, along with a condensed version of the actionable science training provided in the Research Fellowship Program. Instead of funding new climate adaptation projects, the Faculty Fellowship Program provides funding to translate existing research into a format easily used by resource managers in their climate adaptation decisions. Click to learn more about our Faculty Fellows and their research!

Michelle Steen Adams

Expanding the Usability of a Post-Fire Tools Menu for Forest Managers and Landowners in the Northwest

Washington State University

Shelby Anderson

Linkages Among People, Skakhwǝl (Lamprey) and Landscapes in the Willamette Valley

Portland State University

Francisca Santana

Translating Community Perspectives on Prescribed Fire into Practice in Central and Eastern Washington

University of Washington