Alexander H. Smith Distinguished University Professor of Ecology
Arthur F. Thurnau Professor
Burton V. Barnes Collegiate Professor of Ecology
University of Michigan
School for Environment & Sustainability

Affiliate Faculty Member
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Adjunct Professor
Department of Earth and Environmental Science

PhD 1987, Michigan State University
MS 1983, University of Idaho
BS 1981, Cum Laude, Ohio State University

Will is a microbial ecologist studying how fungi control carbon cycling. He is specifically interested in how changes in the species composition of fungal communities alter the amount of carbon stored in temperate forest soils. Prior to his PhD research at SEAS, Will completed a MS degree in Conservation Ecology and a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan, and was a laboratory technician. Will’s dissertation research focuses on how nitrogen availability in soil influences the abundance of fungi with different abilities to decompose plant litter, especially senesced fine tree roots. He uses high throughput sequencing paired with observational and experimental approaches to link environmental variables (e.g., nitrogen availability) to fungal community composition, fine root decomposition, and soil carbon storage in temperate forest ecosystems.

I graduated with a BS in Environment at the University of Michigan in 2020. Currently, I am pursuing a MS in Conservation Ecology and starting my position as a research assistant in Zak Lab. My interests are in forest conservation, focusing on how the interactions between soil, plants, and microorganisms influence ecosystem health. By drawing upon microbial ecology for my thesis, I aim to explore different ways of understanding ecosystem-level changes in temperate and potentially boreal forests. In addition to my academic interests, I also enjoy camping, digital illustration, and just being in cold weather.