Below are two upcoming ESE PhD dissertation defenses. Their announcements are also attached.
Ariana Montoya-Lozano
PhD Dissertation Defense
Water Governance in Latin America: The Dynamics of Community-based Water Management Institutions
Major Professor: Dr. Tara Grillos
Wednesday April 8, 2026, at 10:30 AM | BRNG 2243
Ecological Sciences and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
Department of Political Science
Abstract:
This dissertation examines gendered participation in Community-Based Water Management (CBWM) across Latin America, focusing specifically on the climate-vulnerable Honduran Dry Corridor.
While these local institutions are vital for resilience, women remain disproportionately excluded from leadership roles.
Using survey data from four Latin American countries, this study demonstrates that a 10% female representation on water boards significantly improves environmental conservation and
management efficiency. To understand the persistent exclusion of women, this research operationalizes the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework and a participation typology in the Honduran Dry Corridor. The findings reveal that restrictive
formal rules, such as land tenure, create a “proxy effect” where women act as passive participants rather than active decision-makers. Finally, a conjoint experiment proves there is no systemic community bias against female leadership; respondents prioritize
institutional design over a president's gender or education.
Ultimately, this research concludes that women are key to advancing water governance in rural Latin America and that they can be effectively included through intentional changes in
institutional design.
Troy Weber
PhD Dissertation Defense Announcement
Urban Ecology as a System Integrating Climate, Biodiversity, and Urban Forest Management
Major Professor: Dr. Brady Hardiman
Thursday April 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM | PFEN 120
Ecological Sciences and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering
Abstract:
Urban forests are important components of city ecosystems, as they provide environmental benefits that improve urban resilience and quality of life. Trees moderate local temperatures,
reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and support biodiversity. However, urban forests are increasingly shaped by two major influences, climate change and humans. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasing atmospheric moisture
demand are altering the climatic conditions in which urban trees grow. At the same time, historical patterns of development, economic and social inequality, and urban management influence where trees are planted, which species are present, and who has access
to the ecosystem services that trees can provide. Understanding how these ecological and social forces interact is necessary for developing sustainable and equitable urban forestry practices and strategies. In this dissertation, I explored how biome shifts,
social vulnerability, and urban forest management interact to influence future forestry practices across the United States. I found that climate projections indicate many urban areas are expected to experience substantial shifts in temperature and precipitation
patterns, potentially altering biome conditions and affecting urban vegetation through increased physiological stress. I also found that urban biodiversity is unevenly distributed within cities and that community science plays an important role in documenting
urban tree diversity. Finally, I identified institutional characteristics that influence how municipalities plan for and manage urban forests. While many municipalities recognize the need for climate adaptation strategies, implementation varies depending on
local resources, governance structures, and planning capacity. Together, these findings illustrate that urban forests cannot be understood through climate or ecology alone. Rather, urban forestry emerges from the interaction of ecological change, social inequality,
and institutional decision-making, shaping how cities manage and sustain urban tree systems in a changing climate.
Amy Ledman
She/Her/Hers
Lead Graduate Program Specialist Ecological Sciences and Engineering
Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs
Ernest C. Young Hall, Rm 825
155 S. Grant St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
o: 765-494-5865 f: 765-496-6271
Schedule a meeting:
calendly.com/aledman
