Chris Swanston has served as director of NIACS since 2008 and played an active role in most of the Institute’s major efforts, including directing the USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub. Chris is also project leader for NRS’ Climate, Fire, and Carbon Cycle Sciences group. He holds a PhD in forest science from Oregon State University. Chris embraces his home in the upper Midwest through snowshoe running (moving for warmth), and trail running (running from mosquitoes). Chris does not like cooked vegetables or mushrooms, because they’re gross.

Danielle is the coordinator of the USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub, and helps land managers cope with and adapt to the challenges of climate change. She likes to focus on using adaptation resources to aid management decisions in forested watersheds, and wetlands. Outside of work, Danielle is most often found running after her two kids who are daredevil bike riders.

Kristen is a climate change adaptation specialist working in support of the Northern Forests Climate Hub. She works with a variety of partners to create new tools and to plan and execute trainings that help natural resources professionals integrate climate change into their work. As a relatively new resident of Duluth, MN, Kristen continues to spend time exploring the various trails and water bodies in the greater Twin Ports area.

Anantha Prasad is a Research Ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station. His research focuses on modelling range-wide climate change dynamics of tree species and their intraspecific responses. Outside of work Prasad spends time with family, reading, gardening and taking walks in various parks around his house.

Courtney Peterson is a Research Associate at Colorado State University. She is the Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) Coordinator, leading the development of potential sites and dissemination of project findings through outreach and training with land managers and scientists. Courtney also supports partners in climate science communication, adaptation planning, resources, and training as a climate adaptation specialist.

Matt is an Ecologist and provides technical support for the Climate Change Tree and Bird Atlas by conducting spatial analyses and data processing, statistical modeling, and generates cartographic products. He provides GIS analyses for other Northern Research Station researchers and various National Forests within the region. Matt enjoys camping and hiking with his family. 

Todd coordinates the forest carbon management outreach efforts , as well as supporting the work with natural resource professionals in the New England region to integrate climate change considerations into forest management. Outside of work, Todd spends as much time as possible exploring forests with his wife and daughter. He can often be found in his workshop designing and building furniture (and the occasional musical instrument). 

Luke is an Associate Research Scientist with the University of Michigan. He splits his time between the UM Biological Station and NIACS Central in Houghton. He joined NIACS in 2010 and conducts collaborative research in forest ecology, management, biogeochemistry and the carbon cycle with partners in NIACS, NGO’s, federal agencies, and academia. Luke loves his family and all things outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, gardening, and making maple syrup.

Stephen Matthews is Associate Professor of Wildlife Landscape Ecology in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University and also holds an affiliation as an ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station. His research focuses on how climate and land use change influences forests and birds. Outside of work Steve spends time with his family exploring the outdoors and the kitchen.

Kailey is a Climate Change Education Specialist with NIACS, working with the Climate Change Resource Center to expand online education materials.  She focuses on developing graphic visualization resources to make climate change science more accessible, fun, and understandable for everyone. Kailey enjoys reading, cooking, working on house projects, and spending time with her husband and daughter.