Students and Teaching

Lilly Zeitler: is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Geography at Penn State (anticipated completion 2025). Ms. Zeitler's research interests converge around sustainable food systems and diets, Indigenous and farmer rights, biocultural diversity, climate change adaptation and traditional ecological knowledge. My doctoral research delves into the dietary impacts of agricultural transitions in Indigenous communities in Thailand. In the past, I have worked with a wide range of organizations and projects, including the World Agroforestry Centre and the Food and Agriculture Organization. My academic background spans both the natural and social sciences, ranging from ethnobotany and tropical agroecology to the liberal arts and sciences.

Tiza Mfuni: is a dual-title PhD student in Geography and African studies. Broadly, he is interested in human-livestock-wildlife-forest interfaces in African landscapes. He is particularly interested in the spatiotemporal evolution of multiscalar conservation and development agenda(s), their roles in African livelihood agency and outcomes, and how these modify landscape processes. Mfuni is fascinated by the application of critical geography and decolonial theory to understand the origins, character, and influences of human land use decisions on/in landscapes and what this means for ecosystem provisions or services such as food and nutrition. Prior to joining Penn State, Mfuni worked at the Centre for International Forestry Research (now CIFOR-ICRAF) as part of highly interdisciplinary research projects. Mfuni has background in geomatic engineering and forestry and wood sciences.

Mihret Admasu Wolde: Holds a Masters degree in Zoology from Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia. He is from Kamashi, Benishangul-Gumuz. Prior to his masters studies he worked as a land use planning official for the local government and a research assistant with the Center for International Forestry Research.

Anastasia Miller: is a recent graduate from Juniata College with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Data Science. Anastasia's passion is researching and advocating for sustainable practices, specifically focusing on agriculture and land use. She is currently collaborating with Dr. Abderrahim Ouarghidi and Dr. Bronwen Powell to research differences in plant diversity surrounding irrigation canals and rivers in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Previously, Anastasia was involved in wildlife research, where she studied baiting methods to dispense medication to treat raccoon roundworm.