CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, New York, NY

Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science                                                               2015

Concentrations: Plant Physiology, Remote Sensing, and Ecology

Dissertation: The impact of deciduous shrub dominance on phenology, carbon flux, and arthropod biomass in the Alaskan arctic tundra

M.Phil. in Earth and Environmental Science                                                            2013

Thesis: Greater deciduous shrub dominance extends the annual period of maximum tundra greenness and increases modeled net CO2 uptake

M.A. in Earth and Environmental Science                                                                2012

Thesis: Tall deciduous shrubs offset delayed start of growing season through rapid leaf development in the Alaskan arctic tundra

State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY

B.A. in Earth and Environmental Science                                                                  2005

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Biocarbon Earth                                                                                                       2025-present

Research Consultant, Remote

Currently working as an independent research consultant for a biotech startup investigation sustainable, natural and climate smart solutions to synthetic fertilizers. The scope of my work includes analyzing results from field trials to show the agroeconomic viability of the companies patented rock dust, biochar, compost product, which incorporates beneficial microbial communities. I also create logos and experimental designs, as well as brochures to help enlist investors for the company.

Columbia University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory                             2023-present

Research Consultant, Remote            

Currently working as an independent research consultant for professors at Columbia University cleaning and analyzing large datasets over several years with difficult data organizational issues. Data collected from various researchers with overlap pertaining to Alaskan hares, snow, trees and other environmental variables. The goal is to find relationships between tree dendrometer data, environmental data and snowshoe hare population.

Cornell University, Dept. of Horticulture                                                             2023-present

Research Technician, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Research investigating the effect of biochar on growth of trees when incorporated with “structural soil”. Work also involves maintaining landscapes across Cornell campus, including starting, growing and planting for gardens throughout Cornell; plus propagate trees, shrubs, and perennials and maintaining the online database of the Cornell Hydrangea paniculata collection. This position also works on investigating the impact of amended versus unamend urban soils on tree growth in Ithaca, NY.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture                                                           2020-2022

Research Associate, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY                                                 

Research investigating the potential of biochar derived from poultry manure, with added magnesium, to address various environmental issues, first and foremost to adsorb phosphorus from manure waste and prevent excess phosphorus and other nutrients from running off into local waterbodies.

New York State Energy Research & Development                                               2019-2022

Research Associate, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY                                                 

Research focused on climate change mitigation and resiliency and investigated on-farm pyrolysis of dairy manure to address climate change, as well as to make farms more resilient to extreme weather events and protect the social and environmental wellbeing of local areas.

The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future                                                     2019- 2021

The Nature Conservancy    

Postdoctoral Researcher, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY   

Focus on the potential of global soils to sequester carbon to halt and potentially reverse climate change. Identified constraints and solutions to the scaling up of investment in soil carbon to model and better understand public opinion, attitudes, and acceptance of soil carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change.

The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future                                                     2018-2019

Postdoctoral Researcher, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY  

Assessed the community acceptability of various Harmful Algae Bloom solutions, the factors underlying acceptability, and elements that might increase acceptability.

The Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future                                                     2016-2018

The Nature Conservancy

Postdoctoral Researcher, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Investigated farmer coping mechanisms and adaptations related to extreme weather events, such as drought and flooding, that are occurring and will continue to occur more frequently due to climate change to better understand how farmers view extreme weather events, as well as how farmers are impacted by and respond to such events.

Columbia University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory                                2015-2016

Postdoctoral Researcher, Remote

Combined five years of multi-institutional collaborative research on the multi-trophic impacts of climate change in the Arctic tundra. We investigated how multiple meteorological and climatological factors effect plant and insect communities, and, in turn, migratory songbird reproductive success.

Columbia University, Dept. of Earth & Environmental Science                         2010-2014

Graduate Research Scientist, Columbia University, New York, NY

Graduate research in the Alaskan arctic tundra using field surveys, remote sensing and various environmental monitoring techniques. Research focused on the impacts of climate change, inter-annual variability, and changing seasonality on interactions among vegetation, insects and songbird communities. Dissertation: https://doi.org/10.7916/D8ZG6RV4

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Sweet SK, Bassuk NL, Miller BM (2025) Deep compost amendment reduces soil bulk density resulting in improved growth of urban Gymnocladus dioicus trees over time. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 108. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2025.128822.

Kim J, Sweet S, Lehmann J (2025) Phosphate adsorption by poultry manure biochar impregnated with different sources of magnesium. Journal of Environmental Management (In Review).

Armstrong A, Stedman RC, Sweet S, Hairston Jr N (2022) What causes harmful algal blooms? A case study of causal attributions and conflict in a lakeshore community. Environmental Management, 69:588-599. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-021-01581-9.

Sweet SK, Schuldt JP, Lehman J, Bossio DA, Woolf D (2021). Perceptions of naturalness predict US public support for soil carbon storage as a climate solution. Climatic Change. 166:22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-021-03121-0

Asmus AL, Chmura HE, Hoye TT, Krause JS, Sweet SK, Perez JH, Boelman NT, Wingfield JC, Gough L (2018). Shrub shading moderates the effects of weather on arthropod activity in arctic tundra. Ecological Entomology, 34:647-655. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12644

Chmura HE, Krause JS, Perez JP, Asmus A, Sweet SK, Hunt KE, Meddle SL, McElreath R, Boelman NT, Gough L, Wingfield JC (2018). Late-season snowfall is associated with decreased offspring survival in two migratory arctic-breeding songbird species. Journal of Avian Biology, 49:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.01712

Oliver RY, Ellis DPW, Chmura HE, Krause JS, Pérez JH, Sweet SK, Gough L, Wingfield JC, Boelman NT. (2018) Eavesdropping on the Arctic: Automated bioacoustics reveal dynamics in songbird breeding phenology. Science Advances, vol. 4. URL: http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/6/eaaq1084/tab-pdf

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW, DeGaetano A, Benner R. (2017) Anatomy of the 2016 drought in the Northeastern US: Implications for agriculture and water resources in humid climates. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 247:571-581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2017.08.024

Boelman NT, Krause JS, Sweet SK, Chmura HE, Perez JH, Gough L, Wingfield J. (2017) Extreme spring conditions in the Arctic delay spring phenology of long distance migratory songbirds. Oecologica, 185:69-80. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00442-017-3907-3

Krause JS, Perez JH, Chmura HE, Sweet SK, Meddle SL, Hunt KE, Gough L, Boelman N, Wingfield JC. (2016) The effect of extreme spring weather on body condition and stress physiology in Lapland longspurs and white-crowned sparrows breeding in the Arctic. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 237:10-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.07.015

Gersony JT, Prager CM, Boelman NT, Eitel JUH, Gough L, Greaves HE, Griffin KL, Magney TS, Sweet SK, Vierling LA, Naeem S. (2016) Scaling thermal properties from the leaf to the canopy in the Alaskan arctic tundra. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 48:739-754. https://doi.org/10.1657/AAAR0016-013

Sweet SK, Asmus A, Rich ME, Gough L, Wingfield J, Boelman NT (2015) NDVI as a predictor of canopy arthropod biomass in the Alaskan arctic tundra. Ecological Applications, 25:779-790. https://doi.org/10.1890/14-0632.1

Sweet SK, Griffin KL, Steltzer H, Gough L, Boelman NT (2015) Greater deciduous shrub abundance extends tundra peak season and increases modeled net CO2 uptake. Global Change Biology, 21:2394-2409. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12852

Krause JS, Chmura HE, Perez JH, Quach LN, Asmus A, Word KR, Nemeth Z, McGuigan M, Sweet SK, Meddle SL, Gough L, Boelman N, Wingfield JC (2015) Breeding on the leading edge of a northward range expansion: differences in morphology and stress responses in the Arctic Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow. Oecologia, 180:33-44. 10.1007/s00442-015-3447-7

Sweet SK, Gough L, Griffin KL, Boelman NT (2014) Tall deciduous shrubs offset delayed start of growing season through rapid leaf development in the Alaskan arctic tundra. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 46:694-709. https://doi.org/10.1657/1938-4246-46.3.682

Boelman NT, Gough L, Wingfield J, Goetz S, Asmus A, Chmura HE, Krause J, Perez J, Sweet S, Guay KC (2014) Greater shrub dominance alters breeding habitat and food resources for migratory songbirds in Alaskan arctic tundra. Global Change Biology, 21:1508-1520.

https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12761

EXTENSION AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Bassuk N, Sweet SK. (2023) Propagating Laurus nobilis. Bay leaves. URL: https://bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/d/8321/files/2023/10/Propagating-Bay-Leaves.pdf

Draper K, Sweet SK, (2020) The potential for biochar to enhance sustainability in the dairy industry. Innovation Center for US Dairy. URL: https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/c/8159/files/2020/09/Dairy-Manure-Biochar-Synthesis-Report_Innovation-Center_2020.pdf

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2018) Anatomy of a wet year: insights from New York farmers. In Cornell University’s Soil and Crop Science Newsletter: What’s Cropping Up?, 28,2:24-27. URL: http://blogs.cornell.edu/whatscroppingup/2018/03/01/anatomy-of-a-wet-year-insights-from-new-york-farmers/

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2018) Anatomy of a wet year: insights from New York farmers. In Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Vegetable Program Newsletter: VEGEdge, 14,4:6-7.

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2018) Anatomy of a wet year: insights from New York farmers. In Cornell University’s NYS Agricultural Experiment Station and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Fruit Crop Newsletter: Scaffolds Fruit Journal, 27,1:6-9. URL: http://www.scaffolds.entomology.cornell.edu/2018/SCAFFOLDS-3-26-18.pdf

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2018) Anatomy of a wet year: insights from New York farmers. Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance: NODPA News, 18,2:20-22 . URL: http://www.nodpa.com/march2018-lowresfinal.pdf

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2018) Anatomy of a wet year: insights from New York farmers. In Cornell’s Institute for Climate Smart Solutions: CICSS Research & Policy Brief, 4:1-4. URL: https://cpb-us-east-1-juc1ugur1qwqqqo4.stackpathdns.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/8/4308/files/2018/04/CICSS_RPB_-__Heavy_Rain_Survey-Final-1l565y6.pdf

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2017) Anatomy of a rare drought event: insights from New York farmers. In Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Vegetable Program Newsletter: VEGEdge, 13,2:6-8. URL: https://rvpadmin.cce.cornell.edu/pdf/veg_edge/pdf106_pdf.pdf

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2017) Anatomy of a rare drought event: insights from New York farmers. In Cornell’s Institute for Climate Smart Solutions: CICSS Research & Policy Brief, 3:1-4. URL: https://blogs.cornell.edu/cicca/files/2015/02/CICSS-RPB-Drought-Survey-v3-126h0si.pdf

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2017) Anatomy of a rare drought event: insights from New York farmers. In Cornell University’s NYS Agricultural Experiment Station and Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Fruit Crop Newsletter: Scaffolds Fruit Journal, 25,25:1-5. URL: http://www.scaffolds.entomology.cornell.edu/2016/SCAFFOLDS-2-1-17.pdf

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2017) Anatomy of a rare drought event: insights from New York field crop farmers. In Cornell University’s Soil and Crop Science Newsletter: What’s Cropping Up?, 27,1:1-4. URL: https://issuu.com/cornellfieldcrops/docs/wcu_vol27_no1

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2017) Anatomy of a rare drought event: insights from New York farmers. Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance: NODPA News, 17,3:10-14. URL: http://www.nodpa.com/may2017-lowres-final.pdf

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. (2017) Anatomy of a rare drought event: insights from New York field crop farmers. Agricultural News: Schuyler and Steuben Counties, 98,3:10-13. URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.cce.cornell.edu/attachments/21184/March_2017_Ag_News.pdf?1488905575

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AND INVITED TALKS

Sweet S, Campbell G, McCorkle S. 2021 The Potential for Biochar to Enhance Sustainability in the Dairy Industry.  Presented at the International Biochar Initiative – Educational Webinar Series,  28 January 2021: Ithaca, NY.

Armstrong A, Sweet S, Stedman RC, Hairston N Jr. 2019 Harmful Algal Blooms and the Eyes of the Beholders: Community, Class, and Multidisciplinary Research. Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, 27 February 2020: Philadelphia, PA.

Draper K, Sweet SK. 2020 Biochar Uses in the Dairy Industry. Presented at PRO-Dairy’s Dairy Educators Webinar, 16 Mar 2020: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW, DeGaetano A, Benner R. Anatomy of the 2016 drought in the Northeastern US: Implications for agriculture and water resources in humid climates. Presented at International Academic Forum’s International Conference on Sustainability, Energy & the Environment 2018: Honolulu, HI.

Sweet SK. 2018 Climate Change Impacts to NY Agriculture. Webinar presentation for Climate Change Course taught by Anne Armstrong, 19 Sep 2018: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_ldKKBhfXl-Fk7ammhLodSSEdnn8tB9j/view?ts=5bbce5bb

Sweet SK. Anatomy of the 2016 drought in New York State: implications for agriculture and water resources. Presented at Cornell University Horticulture Section Seminar Series 2018: Ithaca, NY. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjfODI7dyQM&index=2&t=219s&list=PLHPXm2Es8aQBjobZ8Nz0s9bILSdjwCpXv

Sweet SK. Anatomy of the 2016 drought and 2017 heavy rainfalls/flooding in New York State: implications for agriculture and water resources. Presented at NYSCDEA Water Quality Symposium 2018: Syracuse, NY.

Sweet SK. Anatomy of the 2016 drought in New York State: implications for agriculture and water resources. Presented at Tompkins County Water Resources Council 2018: Ithaca, NY.

Sweet SK. Anatomy of the 2016 drought in New York State: implications for agriculture and water resources. Presented at Tri-Society (American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America) conference 2017: Tampa, FL.

Sweet SK. Anatomy of the 2016 drought in New York State: implications for agriculture and water resources. Presented at Mid-Atlantic Water Resources conference 2017: Shepherdstown, WV.

Sweet SK. The Future of Water and Agriculture in NY State. Presented at The Nature Conservancy’s symposium The Future of Nature: Agriculture 2017: Ithaca, NY.

Sweet SK. 2016 NY State Drought Farmer Survey. Presented at Northeast Regional Climate Center Post Drought Assessment 2017: Ithaca, NY.

Sweet SK. 2016 NY State Drought Farmer Survey. Presented at Empire State Producers Expo 2017: Syracuse, NY.

Chmura HE, Krause JK, Perez JH, Asmus AL, Sweet SK, Boelman N, Gough L, Ramenofsky M, Wingfield JC. Avian phenology in a changing Arctic: Implications for reproductive success and migratory behavior. Presented at Ecological Society of America (ESA) conference 2017: Portland, OR.

Sweet SK. Protecting New York State agriculture and water resources. Presented at NatureNet Fellows Orientation 2016: Indianapolis, IN.

Sweet SK. 2016 NY State Drought Farmer Survey. Presented at Agriculture, Food & Environmental Systems In-Service (Ag In-Service) Conference 2016: Ithaca, NY.

Sweet SK, Krause JS, Asmus A. Effects of warming-induced increases in shrub abundance and changing seasonality on migratory songbirds in the Alaskan arctic tundra. Presented at Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (ARC LTER) Meeting 2014: Woods Hole, MA.

CONFERENCE POSTERS

Sweet SK, Wolfe DW. Anatomy of a rare drought event: insights from New York farmers. Presented at Empire State Producers Expo 2017: Syracuse, NY.

Boelman NT, Gough L, Wingfield JC, Sweet SK, Asmus A, Krause JS, Chmura H, Perez J. Arctic breeding songbirds cope with variability in the timing of spring onset. Presented at Ecological Society of America (ESA) conference 2015: Baltimore, MD.

Sweet SK, Asmus A, Rich M, Wingfield JC, Gough L, Boelman NT. NDVI as a predictor of canopy arthropod biomass in the Alaskan arctic tundra. Presented at Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (ARC LTER) Meeting 2015: Woods Hole, MA.

Chmura, HE, Krause, JS, Perez, JH, Sweet SK, Asmus A, Hunt KE, McGuigan, MA, Boelman, NT, Gough L, Wingfield JC. Reproductive success in the White-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) and Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus): Reproductive Timing and Implications for Global Change. Presented at Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) 2015: West Palm Beach, FL. 

Sweet SK, Boelman NT, Griffin KL, Steltzer H, Gough L. Greater deciduous shrub abundance extends tundra peak season and increases modeled net CO2 uptake. Presented at Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (ARC LTER) Meeting 2014: Woods Hole, MA.

Sweet SK, Boelman NT, Griffin KL, Steltzer H, Gough L. Greater deciduous shrub abundance extends tundra peak season and increases modeled net CO2 uptake. Presented at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Meeting 2014: San Francisco, CA.

Chmura HE, Krause JS, Perez JH, Sweet S, Asmus A, Boelman NT, Gough L, Wingfield JC. Interannual variability in arctic phenology and reproductive success in the White-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) and Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus). Presented at Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) 2014: Austin, TX.

Sweet SK, Boelman NT, Gough L, Team Bird. Greater thaw depth facilitates the growth of woody shrubs through accelerated leaf development. Presented at Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (ARC LTER) Meeting 2013: Woods Hole, MA.

Krause JS, Perez JH, Sweet S, Asmus A, Rish ME, Schas J, Word KR, Gough L, Wingfield JC, Boelman NT. Impacts of changing seasonality and the potential for trophic mismatches in the Arctic. Presented at Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) 2013 San Francisco, CA.

Krause JS, Perez JH, Sweet S, Asmus A, Rish ME, Schas J, Word KR, Gough L, Wingfield JC, Boelman NT. Impacts of changing seasonality and the potential for trophic mismatches in the Arctic. Presented at Woods Hole Biological Marine Lab Arctic LTER Meeting 2013: Woods Hole, MA.

Krause JS, Perez JH, Word KR, Chmura HE, Asmus A, Sweet S, Gough L, Boelman NT, Schas J, Wingfield JC. Timing of reproduction in two long distance migrants: trophic match?  Presented at UC Davis Regional Annual Animal Behavior Student Conference 2013: Davis, CA.

Gough L, Boelman NT, Wingfield JC, Krause JS, Sweet S, Rich ME, Asmus A. Effects of increasing shrub cover in arctic tundra on associated arthropods and migratory birds. Presented at Long Term Ecological Research All Scientists Meeting (LTER ASM) 2012: Estes Park, CO.