NC RISCC Team
Meet the people who support the North Central Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change network.
Current Team Members
Chelsea Nagy
CIRES, ESIIL, University of Colorado Boulder
NC RISCC Founder & PI
Chelsea is a terrestrial ecologist and biogeochemist. She is the Deputy Director of the Environmental Data Science Innovation and Inclusion Lab (ESIIL) at CU Boulder.
Jennifer Balch
CIRES, ESIIL, University of Colorado Boulder
NC RISCC Co-PI
Jennifer is the Director of ESIIL and her research explores global patterns of anthropogenic change.
Wynne Moss
U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
NC RISCC Research Associate
Wynne is an ecologist and conservation biologist serving as a research associate at USGS.
Morgan Roche
U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center
Biologist / NC RISCC Research Associate
Morgan Roche is a biologist with the Fort Collins Science Center. Her research focuses on understanding the drivers and consequences of invasive species.
Nayani Ilangakoon
CIRES, Earth Lab, University of Colorado Boulder
Research Scientist
Nayani has a PhD in Geoscience and has a background in remote sensing and ecosystem ecology.
Alison Post
CIRES, Earth Lab, University of Colorado Boulder
Program Manager and Research Scientist
Alison is an ecosystem ecologist interested in the impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems.
Esmée Mulder
University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Geography
Graduate Research Assistant
Esmée is a graduate student who specializes in geospatial sciences, rangeland health, and equitable decision-making.
Nate Hofford
CIRES, Earth Lab, University of Colorado Boulder
Project Manager
Nate is a project manager and researcher for the Earth Lab and NC RISCC.
Alexandra Welch
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
VOC Systems Coordinator / NC RISCC Communications Lead
Alex is an environmental communication specialist with a background in climate storytelling and aquatic invasive species serving as a volunteer for NC RISCC.
Lauren Haas
University of Colorado Boulder
Undergraduate Researcher
Lauren is an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder studying Environmental Studies. She assists NC RISCC researchers and writes research summaries on management solutions for the North Central region.
Jane Wolken
CIRES, NC CASC, University of Colorado Boulder
NC CASC University Deputy Director
Jane is a boreal forest ecologist passionate about collaborative solutions-focused research and knowledge sharing. She works at the nexus of climate science research, program coordination, and science communication.
Murphy Dykstra
Grinnell College
Undergraduate Researcher
Murphy is an undergraduate at Grinnell College pursuing a B.A. in biology. His work with NC RISCC focuses on translational science materials, including the Grazing Management Challenge.
NC RISCC Advisory Board
Toni Lyn Morelli, USGS
Eve Beaury, New York Botanical Gardens
Catherine Jarnevich, USGS
Brian Miller, USGS
Bryce Maxell, Montana Natural Heritage Program
Lauren Porensky, USDA-ARS
Kelsey Brock, University of Wyoming
Former Team Members
Ivan Rykin
Dartmouth College, MS '24
Independent Scientist / NC RISCC Volunteer
Ivan holds an MS in Earth Sciences, specializing in GIS development and remote sensing for environmental applications.
Yuying Ren
CU Geography
NC RISCC Volunteer
Yuying is a PhD student studying human impacts on wildfire risk using GIS, remote sensing, and machine learning.
Casey Jenson
Earth Lab & ESIIL
Program and Research Assistant
Casey has a background in environmental science, invasive species, and evolutionary biology.
Kelly Fisher
CU Environmental Studies
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kelly is an undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Environmental Studies.
Elizabeth Woolner
CU Environmental Studies
NC RISCC Research Associate
Elizabeth is a graduate student studying human-environment interactions and the NC RISCC's former program assistant.
Anirudh Maiya
CU Computer Science
Graduate Research Assistant
Anirudh is a graduate student in CU Computer Science with a focus in remote sensing data.
Brendan Hobart
CU Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Graduate Research Assistant
Brendan is a PhD student at CU with a focus on how land use and disturbance affects wildlife communities.
Isabel de Silva
CU Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
NC RISCC GRA
Isabel is a graduate student studying population ecology.
Melanie Berger
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
RISCC VSFS Intern
Melanie is a PhD student studying ecology and she works as liaison between RISCC groups.
Nicole Read
Duke University Biology and Earth Science
RISCC VSFS Intern
Nicole is an undergraduate student at Duke University studying Biology and Earth Sciences.
Former Board Members
Terri Hogan, NPS
Bethany Bradley, UMass Amherst
Jeff Morisette, Forest Service