Meet Our Scientists

Join us for unique new opportunities to meet and learn from Holden Arboretums' renowned scientists.

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Sat., May. 11 - Sat., Jul. 13 (Select dates)
Cost Free - Registration Encouraged

Join us for unique new opportunities to meet and learn from Holden Arboretums’ renowned scientists. Nature-lovers of all ages can learn about our ground-breaking research and conservation efforts while discovering the labs and natural areas where this work is being done. Sign up for one, or them all!

This series is free and open to the public. Registration is highly encouraged.

Rhododendron Collection Tour with Connor Ryan
Saturday, May 11, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Price: Free – Registration Encouraged

Tour our beautiful Layer Rhododendron Garden at the Holden Arboretum with our Rhododendron Collections Manager Connor Ryan and learn about plant collections and their integral role in the modern botanic garden. Ryan will share the history of our heirloom rhododendron collection, current collection use for plant breeding and plant biology research, and recent efforts to increase the utility of the collection for scientific research and conservation. Registrants will meet in front of Corning Visitor Center at the Holden Arboretum.

Rhododendron Anatomy & Physiology to Survive with Dr. Juliana Medeiros
Friday, May 17, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Price: Free – Registration Encouraged

Everyone knows that plants need water, but what exactly do they DO with all that water? In this hands-on workshop you will dive into the deep end of plant physiology to learn about research at Holden on the plant vascular system, how it transports water from roots to leaves to support plant growth, what role it plays in stress tolerance, and why it varies so much across the plant kingdom. You’ll get a chance to dip your toe in research working with real plant samples and lab equipment to investigate how frost and drought tolerance of Rhododendron, and even their flowering, are shaped by the unique properties of their vascular system. Registrants will meet at Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science in Kirtland.

How Global Changes Threaten Biodiversity with Dr. Katie Stuble
Saturday, June 08, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Price: Free – Registration Encouraged

Global change phenomena are imminent and substantial threats to biodiversity. Such threats include invasive species, global warming, land use history, and predator decline and are often induced or exacerbated by humans. Learn from Dr. Katie Stuble how HF&G scientists have studied how agricultural land use history, invasive species, and deer herbivory have altered soil fungi and bacteria. Guests will explore Bole Woods. Registrants will meet in front of Corning Visitor Center at the Holden Arboretum.

Seed Bank Behind-the-Scenes with Kim Lessman
Saturday, June 15, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Price: Free – Registration Encouraged

Holden Forests & Gardens is collecting, preparing, storing, and sharing seeds that will help preserve biodiversity in an effort to combat climate change. The fully-loaded shipping container, converted to a lab space, was dropped into place in December 2022 at the Holden Arboretum’s Long Environmental Plant and Science Center. Tour this space with HF&G Seed Bank Manager Kim Lessman for a behind-the-scenes look at this exciting project that has been getting coverage both regionally and nationally! Registrants will meet at Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science.

Sick Trees Caused by Pests & Disease with Dr. David Burke and Dr. Rachel Kappler
Saturday, June 29, 2024
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Price: Free – Registration Encouraged

One of the great challenges we face in a changing world is the emergence of new pests and diseases that threaten our forest trees. Holden Forest & Gardens is at the forefront of research in our region to understand the cause of emerging forest pests and to select and breed trees for resistance to these pests. Join us for a tour and discussion of some of the ongoing work to combat forest pests and disease, including a tour of one of our research collections that the public doesn’t often get a chance to see. Registrants will meet at Long Center for Plant and Environmental Science.

Working Wood Behind-the-Scenes with Dr. Beck Swab and Jessica Miller Mecaskey
Saturday, July 13, 2024
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Price: Free – Registration Encouraged

The Working Woods Learning Forest is a 67-acre, nationally recognized, publicly accessible demonstration site at the Holden Arboretum. This forest integrates research and outreach to increase understanding of and promote best practices in forest management. Working Woods seeks to empower people to manage, protect, and create resilient forests in Ohio. Tour this space with Director of Community Forestry and Conservation Beck Swab and Woodland Community Forester Jessica Miller Mecaskey. Registrants will meet in front of the Corning Visitor Center.

David J. Burke, PhD Vice President for Science and Conservation

Dr. David Burke is the Vice President for Science and Conservation at Holden Forests & Gardens, and the principal investigator of Holden’s soil ecology lab.

Katie Stuble, PhD Research Chair

Dr. Katie Stuble is a community ecologist interested in the mechanisms responsible for maintaining patterns of biodiversity, and understanding how global change will likely alter communities.

Juliana S. Medeiros, PhD Plant Biologist

Dr. Juliana Medeiros is a plant biologist who focuses on plant anatomical and physiological acclimation and adaptations to the abiotic environment.

Connor Ryan, MS Rhododendron Collections Manager

Connor Ryan’s interests sit at the intersection of ornamental horticulture, conservation, and botany. At Holden, his team is engaged in three things: curating the Rhododendron collection, breeding landscape plants, and stewarding the David G. Leach Research Station.

Beck Swab, PhD Director of Conservation and Community Forestry

Experienced ecologist with a demonstrated history of working in research, conservation, and restoration. Dr. Beck Swab oversees the Conservation and Community Forestry teams at the Holden Arboretum.

Jessica Miller Mecaskey Community Forester

Jessica Miller Mecaskey’s work as a Community Forester focus on ecological sciences, land management, and education with a focus on trees and native plants.

Rachel Kappler, PhD Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Collaborative Coordinator

Dr. Rachel Kappler is the coordinator for partners of the Great Lakes Basin Forest Health Collaborative. She helps facilitate partners tree activities for pest-resistance breeding in current priority species, ash, American beech, and eastern hemlock.

Kim Lessman Seed Bank Manager

Kim is passionate about our natural world and has spent the last decade immersed in organic farming, addressing food insecurity in urban areas, and saving seeds in support of a regionally adapted seed supply.

Here’s more to explore at Holden Arboretum

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Plant and care for a tree beginning with making a pledge. We will support each pledge with easy-to-follow instructional toolkits, guidance on how to select the most appropriate tree and where to purchase it, free virtual classes and other ongoing support.

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