Rob Morrissey is currently a Ph.D. Admittee at Purdue University in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. He is working with Dr. Michael Saunders to better understand Central Hardwood Forest dynamics and develop silvicultural systems that provide natural structural and functional benefits consistent with natural disturbance regimes of the region. His work will focus on developmental patterns in old-growth forests in contrast to managed forests.

             Rob graduated from Purdue University with a Master of Science degree in December, 2006. He worked with Dr. Douglass F. Jacobs in the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) to evaluate oak development within Hoosier National Forest clearcuts 21-35 years after harvest. Upon graduation, he continued working for Dr. Jacobs as a research assistant to help broaden his experience and further develop his skills as a researcher. His work included projects with deer browse and fertilizer relationships on afforested mine sites, American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.) seedling outplanting, and old-growth hardwood forests dynamics.

             His practical background in forestry includes a lot of field work, including 5 years of tree planting experience in western Canada, academic and summer field work in Acadian forest types of eastern Canada, inventory supervisor for Plum Creek Timber in their Wisconsin landholdings, and academic work in the Central Hardwood Forest region. Upon graduation from the University of New Brunswick, he accepted a full-time position as a resource forester in southern West Virginia, and 2 years later was transferred to northern Wisconsin. He was responsible for contractor supervision, harvest unit planning, lay-out and administration, road planning and construction operations, and marketing.  In addition, he participated in budget projections, harvest forecasting, SFI certification, and GIS management for the region.

             Rob hopes to be able to effectively combine both his practical and academic experience in his research. He tends to focus on projects that enhance our understanding of the ecological relationships and how species respond to silvicultural treatments in an attempt to provide the many wildlife, economic, ecosystem functions, and personal benefits we enjoy in our forests.

Robert C. Morrissey

Ph.D. Admittee

Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center

Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Purdue University

715 W. State Street, Pfendler Hall

West Lafayette, IN 47907-2061 USA

Office: PFEN 228; (765) 494-9592

E-mail: rmorriss@purdue.edu

Advance oak regeneration - Benxi, China

2007 Mount St. Helens, WA

Northern red oak veneer logs - Park Falls, WI

Life on Mt Rainier, WA

Introduction

Old-growth conifer forest, Jiuzhaigou Valley, China

Wind River canopy crane, WA