Last updated: June 15, 2020
Article
Sam Zuckerman

Photo: ©Michael Durham

Photo: NPS forest monitoring crew, 2017
Why Graduate School?
"Although I enjoyed collecting field data, I wanted to get more involved in the entire research process from grant writing to publication," Sam said.Starting in 2019, Sam entered a PhD program in Natural Resources at the University of New Hampshire. He is working with Dr. Heidi Asbjornsen's ecohydrology lab, and his research uses a rainwater exclusion shelter to study the anatomical and physiological capacities for northeastern tree species to acclimate to drought conditions.
"Working at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks on a forest crew definitely sparked my interest in forestry and drought," Sam commented.

Looking Forward and Back
As Sam embarks on an engaging research project and graduate program in New England, he reflects on what he may miss the most about working in the Sierra Nevada."The people I got to work with were the best part - nothing else tops that," Sam said. "The views from the top of Sierra peaks come at a close second."
Sam received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Vermont.