Magda Garbowski, PhD (PI)

Magda is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at New Mexico State University. Prior to joining NMSU in January 2024,  Magda was a Baker postdoctoral fellow and member of the Gornish Lab at the University of Arizona, a USDA-NIFA postdoctoral fellow in the Laughlin Lab at the University of Wyoming (2022 - 2023), and a postdoctoral researcher with the Physiological Diversity Group at the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (2021). She received her MS (2016) and PhD (2020) from Colorado State University through the Brown Lab. 

Magda is interested in many aspects of plant ecology including trait-based ecology, invasion ecology, and restoration ecology. Magda is excited and hopeful about the science and practice of ecological restoration for two main reasons. The first is that restoration provides opportunities to reverse some of the damage humans have wrought on ecosystems and the second is that restoration ecology provides avenues for testing ecological theory in applied ecological settings. In her spare time, Magda likes to hike, bike, bake botany-inspired cakes and cookies, and hang out with her family.  

Bella Johnson (Master’s Student)

Bella is from Flagstaff, Arizona, and received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Northern Arizona University. Bella is excited about restoration because the degraded ecosystems that we are trying to restore, especially desert ecosystems, have the potential to return to glory and provide countless ecosystem services. Bella is particularly interested in restoring dryland- ecosystems for water conservation, as water is essential to all living things' survival. Water is life! In her spare time, Bella loves to hike, spend time in the natural world, and express herself through songwriting/singing. 

Eron Schulte (Master’s Student)  

Eron received his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Buffalo in New York. Eron is excited about Restoration Ecology because he has seen how needed and effective ecological restoration is throughout the United States. Before beginning his MS program, Eron spent two years working seasonal jobs across the United States. By working in many different environments, Eron realized that it’s not just conserving intact land that is important for the health of our planet but that bringing function back to degraded ecosystems is equally as critical.  

Summer Vasquez (Undergraduate Student)  

Summer Vazquez is an undergraduate student studying Fishery and Wildlife Management and Range Science. Summer is excited about restoration ecology because it offers a way to combat habitat destruction and adapt to our changing climate. Summer believes that ecological restoration is a literal, hands-on way to make the world a better place, for humanity and the amazing creatures with whom we share this planet. 

Justine Henio (Undergraduate / Master’s Student)  

Justine is a senior majoring in Range Science from Northern New Mexico. As a Navajo, she has a deep-rooted connection to the land. She loves spending time outdoors fishing, hiking, camping, and practicing archery, which has strengthened her appreciation for nature and the agriculture industry. She is passionate about restoration ecology because it allows her to help restore and protect the lands that sustain people, wildlife, and livestock. For her, restoration is more than just science but a way to give back to the land and ensure its health for future generations to come.