Current appointment
Assistant Professor of Global Change Ecology & Invasive Species Collaborative Affiliate
Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Virginia Tech, 232 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 23060
FREC: https://frec.vt.edu/
Research interests
To understand how vegetative ecosystems will shift in response to climate change and human encroachment, it is imperative to reconcile the individual measurable physiological performances of plants with demographic responses. I am passionate about how diverse plant physiological and demographic strategies steer the competitive behavior and invasiveness of distinct plant species and growth forms, leading to species exclusion and/or coexistence in a changing environment.
Recently printed
We may have found the world’s largest known liana—a massive climbing plant measuring 866 mm in diameter—in an African forest. Check out our freshly printed global study highlights record-breaking “Champion” lianas from six continents!
JOIN THE LAB: MS Position in Forest & Invasive Plant Ecology (Fall 2026)
I am searching for a motivated MS student starting Fall 2026! The project examines why invasive woody climbers succeed in North American forests and whether native and non-native species differ in establishment, performance, and climate sensitivity.
The student will conduct germination and greenhouse experiments, collect seeds and stems across regional field sites, perform plant physiological measurements, analyze data in R, and contribute to publications and conferences.
​Applicants should hold a BS in forestry, ecology, biology, or related fields, with experience in field/lab research and data analysis.​The position includes a stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance, and two years of funding.
​To apply, email Hannes De Deurwaerder (hannesd@vt.edu; subject: “MS Position – Temperate Climbers”) with a statement of interest, CV, and references.
Review begins April 15, 2026.
Seminar at New York University
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be giving an invited Seminar at NYU hosted by the Mingzen Lu Lab on November 14th. I’ll be discussing recent work and insights on liana-tree competition and liana proliferation trends in the tropical rainforest. Looking forward to connecting with NYU researchers and students—hope to see you there!