Bios

Dr. Yujuan Chen is an associate professor of urban forestry in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University (TSU). Dr. Chen has a long-standing interest in urban and community forestry. She is a co-author of the 1st global Guidelines on Urban and Peri-urban Forestry, as well as initiated and led the “Healthy Soils for Healthy Communities Initiative” to study the potential of healthy soils in building climate resilience and healthy communities. Prior to joining TSU, Dr. Chen held a range of positions with University of Southern California, TreePeople, Virginia Tech, FAO of the United Nations, and New Jersey State Forestry Services.

Andrew Koeser is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center near Tampa, Florida. His research focuses on trees and storms, reducing the impacts of construction on tree and root health, and increasing urban tree diversity. Andrew received his PhD in Biometry and Crop Science and his MS in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He holds a BS in Urban Forestry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Andrew Koeser is the current president of the Florida Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. He is a past recipient of the L.C. Chadwick Researcher Award, the R.J. Harris Author's Citation, the International Society of Arboriculture Early Career Scientist Award, and the Wells Fargo Extension Term Professorship. Andrew has four amazing daughters, a faithful basset hound, and an okay cat. He trains in martial arts, plays board games with his girlfriend and their friend group, and enjoys a good audiobook.

Dr. Richard (Rich) Hauer is the Director of Urban Forestry at CNUC and an Emeritus Professor of Urban Forestry at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Rich has conducted research in tree biology, urban forest management, emerald ash borer management, trees and construction, tree risk management, and ice storms. He was honored as the 2023 Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Education and the 2018 L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research. He has published over 200 publications and presented over 500 talks throughout the world.

Dr. Adam M. Baker conducts research and provides educational training as a Research Entomologist with the Davey Institute. His expertise is in pollinator ecology, conservation, and the responsible management of pests in the urban landscape. Adam’s research explores the ecology and conservation of pollinators and beneficial insects, pests of ornamental trees and shrubs, and ecological value of landscape design. He has published research articles on various insect taxa, and has provided numerous seminars at scientific, stakeholder, and green industry conferences. 

Dr. Deb Hilbert is an urban tree scientist, strategist, and educator. She is Assistant Professor of Arboriculture and Urban Forestry at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where she conducts research on urban tree establishment and survival; nursery tree diversity, quality and availability; and urban tree selection. As Vice President of the Arboricultural Research and Education Academy, an ISA Certified Arborist (+TRAQ), and a consultant, she brings both scientific expertise and practical field experience to understanding how we can help trees thrive in the landscape. 

Hallie Dozier, PhD is an Associate Professor in the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources and an Extension Specialist with the LSU AgCenter. She holds a BA from Centenary College, an MS in Extension Education from LSU, and a PhD in Forest Ecology from the University of Florida.

After serving in the U.S. Peace Corps in Central Africa, Dr. Dozier shifted her career from the liberal arts to plant biology and forestry. At LSU, she teaches ecology, arboriculture, and outreach methods while leading professional education initiatives for tree-care professionals. Since 2002, she has coordinated the Louisiana Arborist License continuing education program, delivering over 100 workshops to more than 1,600 participants across the region.

Dr. Dozier has held leadership roles with the International Society of Arboriculture Southern Chapter and the TREE Fund, serving on its Board of Trustees and as Research & Education Chair. An 18-time Tour des Trees participant, she has raised approximately $75,000 to support arboricultural research and education.

She is passionate about advancing urban forestry and supporting the professionals who care for trees and forests and enjoys gardening, fiber arts, painting and cycling.

Dr. Sara Barron is the Program Director for both the Bachelor of Urban Forestry and Master of Urban Forestry Leadership programs at the University of British Columbia. Prior to this role, she was a lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Sara’s research interests bridge landscape architecture and urban forestry. Her PhD dissertation explored the design and assessment of future urban forest scenarios in compact communities. She has expertise in large-scale sustainable community planning and climate change research projects and holds a Master of Landscape Architecture degree.

Stephen Livesley focusses his research on quantifying and modelling the ecosystem services and biodiversity benefits provided by urban forests. Stephen leads urban forest research at The University of Melbourne, Australia and contributes to the Green Infrastructure Research Group at the Burnley campus (GIRG). Stephen has published extensively and supervised many young researchers through their own Masters and PhD studies.  He works closely with local governments and industry within Australia to ensure his research is applied and has impact for society and environmental benefit. Stephen believes that a scientific evidence-base is essential for the role of urban forests to be front and centre of future urban planning and climate change adaptation actions.” 

Joe supports the operations of the Arboricultural Research and Education Academy, drawing on 16+ years in IT, web development, and network administration. He also works as a lab technician at the University of Florida's Urban Tree and Landscape Management Lab and is a professional photographer with over 15 years of experience.

I'm a Research Scientist and the Midwest Technical Support Specialist with The F.A. Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories, based out of The Morton Arboretum Center for Tree Science. I conduct research on a variety of topics centered on tree health and management including pruning and biomechanics, soil and root health, pest management, tree stress physiology and biochemistry, and growth- defense tradeoffs. Additionally, we provide technical support for Bartlett Arborists and the green industry at large, educating on best management practices and implementing science-driven tree care.