Welcome to the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Science!
 

Front row: John Sakulich, Mark Spond, Jennifer White, Niki Garland, Sarah Jones, Noah Newport, and Dr. Henri D. Grissino-Mayer. Second row: Kody Honeyman, Lisa LaForest, Dr. Sally P. Horn, Nancy Li, Monica Rother, Matthew Peterson, Grant Harley, and Kevin Russell. Not pictured: Jessica Slayton and Ian Feathers.
Lab Picture 2004-2005      Lab Picture 2005-2006      Lab Picture 2006-2007
Lab Picture 2007-2008      Lab Picture 2008-2009

The LTRS

Here at the University of Tennessee, we are proud to house a world-class state-of-the-art laboratory for tree-ring research. The Laboratory of Tree-Ring Science is supported by the Department of Geography and the College of Arts and Sciences, supplemented by funds from the National Science Foundation and many private donations. The laboratory is housed in the Science and Engineering Research Facility (SERF), occupying four spacious, well-equipped laboratory rooms with all the amenities. We currently consist of 3 faculty members, 10 graduate students, and 3 undergraduate students, all actively involved in dendrochronology, engaged in various research projects that cover archaeology to fire history to climate reconstruction. We also engage in active research with faculty and graduate students in the Departments of Anthropology, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, as well as with personnel from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the National Park Service, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Our Mission

Dendrochronology is a retrospective science that can provide glimpses into our environment long before humans pervasively altered the natural environment. We seek to learn more about the past to better understand the present so that we may be better prepared for the future. While the present may be the key to the past, without a doubt, the past may be the key to the future. Our goal is to conduct cutting-edge research in many facets of the Physical and Cultural sciences, and provide new knowledge concerning processes, both natural and human, that affect our environment. Our research is applied research. We believe that science is more fulfilling and rewarding when applied to improve the quality of living for humankind in some way.

Come Study With Us!

If you're interesting in joining a dynamic laboratory engaged in the full spectrum of dendrochronological research to further your graduate and professional careers, contact me and I'll be glad to talk with you about opportunities we have available. I can promise you that your training in our laboratory will prepare you for a satisfying and rewarding career upon graduation.

Where Are They Now?
 

• Christine Biermann (M.S. 2009): Ph.D. student, Ohio State University
• Dr. Joseph P. Henderson (Ph.D. 2006): Assistant Professor, U.S. Military Academy
• Dr. Justin L. Hart (Ph.D. 2007): Assistant Professor, University of Alabama
• Dr. Georgina G. DeWeese (Ph.D. 2007): Assistant Professor, University of West Georgia
• Dr. Saskia L. van de Gevel (Ph.D. 2008): Lecturer, Appalachian State University
• Dr. David F. Mann (Ph.D. 2008), Instructor, University of Tennessee, and Meteorology and Oceanography Command of the United States Navy
• Dr. Dana L. Miller (Ph.D. 2005): Research Scientist, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
• Dr. Whitney L. Nelson (Ph.D. 2008): Research Scientist, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
• Evan R. Larson (M.S. 2005): Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
• Major William Reding (M.S. 2002): Instructor, U.S. Military Academy
• Jake Cseke (M.S. 2003): Open Space and Mountain Parks Department of Boulder, Colorado
• Beth A. Atchley (M.S. 2004): Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, Tennessee
• Michael R. Armbrister (M.S. 2002): Mount Rogers Planning District Commission (Virginia)
• Daniel B. Lewis (M.S. 2003): Ph.D. Candidate, University of Tennessee
• Christopher Underwood (M.S. 2007): Ph.D. Candidate, University of Tennessee
• Alison C. Miller (M.S. 2007): Geoscience Technician, ExxonMobile, Houston, Texas