Dr. Julia DeFeo, a silviculturist, forest ecologist, and fire ecologist with comprehensive experience in the sustainable management of forest and woodland ecosystems joins the School of Environment and Natural Resources autumn semester 2025 as an Assistant Professor of Silviculture & Forest Ecology.
Dr. DeFeo's research integrates field, laboratory, and remote sensing data in order to characterize drivers of resilience in silvicultural systems, with emphasis on wildland fire as a form of both natural and anthropogenic disturbance. Dr. DeFeo's current research is focused on the biodiversity and management of two-aged silvicultural systems and the characterization of novel Appalachian fuel complexes. As a complement to her research program, Dr. DeFeo works with Ohio State University Extension and Ohio stakeholders via landowner education and science delivery initiatives.
Dr. DeFeo will be teaching two courses spring 2026, including ENR 3333 Silviculture and ENR 3323 Forest Biometrics.
Get to know SENR's newest faculty member
SENR: What drew you to the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University?
Dr. DeFeo: SENR is filled with people who are excited to work together to solve problems, advance science, and serve our community. I share these same values!
SENR: What initially drew you to the field of forestry?
Dr. DeFeo: I have always loved being outside in the woods! I also wanted to find a path that would allow me to advocate for the environment and sustainable resource management. As a forest scientist and educator, I get to support not just forests and forest resources, but also the people that depend on them.
SENR: What is your research focus?
Dr. DeFeo: Right now, I am focused on the characterization and management of Appalachian hardwood-dominated wildland fuel complexes. During my PhD, I used terrestrial LiDAR data to model deadwood in four common forest cover types of Virginia. I am excited to expand this work into Ohio and the north-central Appalachians to provide useful tools for rapid assessment of forest conditions and address questions related to forest health and risk management. I am also interested in how overwood retention patterns influence biodiversity and forest stand dynamics in Eastern forests.
SENR: What are you most looking forward to in this position?
Dr. DeFeo: Right now, I am most excited to meet the students of SENR! I am passionate about teaching and mentorship.
SENR: Will you be teaching, if so, what will you be teaching?
Dr. DeFeo: This spring, I will be teaching Silviculture and Forest Biometrics.
SENR: What is your favorite tree? And why?
Dr. DeFeo: A Shortleaf pine, because it is fascinatingly resilient (and because I am only 5’1”!)