Forestry & Natural Resource Management Laboratory
Lab Members
Dr. Sougata Bardhan
Assistant Professor
Natural Resource Management
Dr. Bardhan has extensive experience in interdisciplinary research including agroforestry research such as alley cropping, forest farming, and riparian management. At Lincoln University Dr. Bardhan is developing an agroforestry program suitable for small and marginal farm stakeholders as a demonstration and for the development of best management practices. Bardhan has been instrumental in forming multidisciplinary international collaborations for successful research proposals (over ~$44 million total; ~$3 million as PI) spanning over four continents and more than 10 countries.
Raelin Kronenberg
Research Specialist - Agroforestry
Ph.D. Student, Forestry
University of Missouri-Columbia
Raelin earned her master's degree in natural resources with an agroforestry emphasis from the University of Missouri where she explored landowner perceptions of agroforestry practices for conservation and production. She has a diverse interdisciplinary background in both the social and natural sciences which she applies to support the research activities of the Forest Management Lab. In addition to her role in research projects, Kronenberg assists with outreach and education events on agroforestry practices. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Natural Resources focusing on forest farming research.
Ezra Houston
Forest Farming Project Coordinator
Lincoln University
After earning his bachelor's degree in Forest Ecosystems Management from Penn State, Ezra worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, where he built a strong skillset in forest management and inventory. He returned to Penn State in 2022 to complete his master's degree in Forest Resources, where he studied habitat suitability of ramps (Allium tricoccum) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) to inform forest farming site selection. In his role as Forest Farming Project Coordinator Ezra brings his combined knowledge of forest management and agroforestry together to facilitate the establishment of a coalition of forest farmers in Missouri and the Midwest.
Sejuti Ghoshal
Project Assistant
Lincoln University
Sejuti Goshal earned her Master's degree in zoology from the University of Calcutta, India. She is passionate about sharing knowledge and fostering curiosity. Sejuti chose to be a teacher by profession. After six years of teaching, Sejuti moved to the US in 2022 with her husband, embracing fresh opportunities and challenges. Recently, she has grown more interested in the field of agriculture. To gain a better knowledge and understanding of the field, she took the opportunity to join Dr. Bardhan's lab as a project assistant. Driven by this new passion, Sejuti has plans to pursue a master's degree in this field in the future.
Dr. Saaruj Khadka
Research Scientist
Lincoln University
Saaruj Khadka earned his master's degree in Environmental Studies from Kentucky State University where his research investigated landscape diversity, landownership, and ecological productivity using geospatial techniques. In pursuing higher education, he joined the Geospatial and Analysis Laboratory under the School of Natural Resource department at the University of Missouri-Columbia for his doctoral program. He recently graduated in July 2024 and joined the lab as a Research Scientist. Dr. Khadka has a diverse background in natural resource and geospatial modeling. His research interests include identifying white oak mortality spatial patterns, exploring biotic and abiotic factors effects, and impacts of climate change.
Kurt Birchenough
M.S Student, Sustainable Agriculture
Lincoln University
As an undergraduate at Boston University, Mr. Birchenough studied Biology with a Specialization in Ecology and Conservation Biology. After graduation, he worked in areas of wildlife and natural resource management including pheasant farming in Rhode Island, ornithological field work in Hawai’i, and ecotourism development in Mexico through the Peace Corps. After several years of working at the South Florida Water Management District, Mr. Birchenough obtained a Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Technology from the University of Miami. He has now joined Lincoln to support the investigation of the patterns of white oak mortality in the Ozark Highlands using GIS and remote sensing.
Arindam Mandal
M.S. Student, Sustainable Agriculture
Lincoln University
Mr. Arindam Mandal recently completed his Bachelor's degree in Agriculture with an Agronomy emphasis from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, West Bengal, India. Arindam is pursuing his Master's degree in Sustainable Agriculture at Lincoln University of Missouri with a Graduate Research Assistantship. He also has Rural Agriculture Work Experience and intends to gain knowledge in machine learning, GIS software, and other digital agriculture development projects.
Bani Kumar Biswas
M.S. Student, Sustainable Agriculture
Lincoln University
Bani Kumar Biswas is a graduate research assistant working on biochar/climate smart commodities research. In 2022, he obtained his B.Sc. in Agriculture Honors from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, where he specialized in the field of plant pathology. Currently, Bani Kumar is enrolled in the M.Sc. in Sustainable Agriculture program at Lincoln University, to advance his expertise in sustainable farming practices. His academic pursuits underscore his unwavering commitment to the realms of plant health and agricultural sustainability.
Tobiloba Ogundiji
M.S. Student, Sustainable Agriculture
Lincoln University
Tobiloba Ogundiji earned her Bachelor's degree in Agriculture with a specialization in Animal Science from Osun State University, Nigeria. Presently, she is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Sustainable Agriculture at Lincoln University, with the aim of further enhancing her knowledge and skills in sustainable farming practices. Ogundiji's academic endeavors reflect her steadfast dedication to the fields of Animal Health and Agricultural Sustainability.
Juliana Noi
M.S. Student, Sustainable Agriculture
Lincoln University
Juliana studied at EARTH University, Costa Rica, where she obtained a Licenciatura Degree in Agricultural Science & Natural Resource Management. Juliana has extensive agricultural knowledge as well as an innate interest in plant and animal research. She has worked in the agroforestry, veterinary, and exporting industries to gather data, supervise, and educate smallholder farmers and students on sustainable agricultural practices in rural areas. Juliana is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Sustainable Agriculture at Lincoln University of Missouri with a Graduate Research Assistantship where she is studying the impact of a goat silvopasture system on the forest ecosystem.
Ujjwal Kamboj
M.S. Student, Sustainable Agriculture
Lincoln University
Bio forthcoming
Gursewak Singh
M.S. Student, Sustainable Agriculture
Lincoln University
Gursewak Singh is a seasoned professional with a robust background in agriculture marketing, encompassing both Agri inputs and outputs. Singh holds an MBA in Agribusiness Management from Punjab Agricultural University, India. His expertise lies in developing strategic marketing approaches for various agricultural products. Singh is further enhancing his knowledge and skill set by pursuing a master's degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Ecology where he is focusing on integrating data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence into agricultural practices for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
Past Lab Members
