SFE Leadership Team
Please contact us with your questions, feedback, and fire-related information needs and opportunities. General correspondence can be emailed to [email protected], or you can SFE leaders and staff using the contact information below.
Raelene Crandall, Ph.D.
SFE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Associate Professor, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida.
Rae’s research uses field data and mathematical models to examine the effects of fire season and frequency on plant community assembly and population dynamics of rare and common species.
David R. Godwin, Ph.D.
SFE ADMINISTRATIVE DIR & CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida.
With experience in fire ecology research ranging from remote sensing assessments of burn severity to studies of prescribed fire and forest carbon dynamics, David is excited to develop products and programs for the SFE that span the boundaries of wildland fire science and management.
Kevin Robertson, Ph.D.
SFE CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Fire Ecology Program Director, Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.
Kevin’s research focuses on plant community and ecosystem ecology of the Southern Coastal Plain. As Program Director, he places a priority on research that can be applied to managing and conserving natural communities and declining species.
Joe Roise, Ph.D.
SFE CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Professor of Forestry and Operations Research, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University.
Joe is involved in forest management and planning worldwide, including the analytical work on seven US National Forests.
Christian Fernandez
OUTREACH SPECIALIST
Fire Science Outreach Specialist, Tall Timbers Research Station. Christian has a diverse background in natural resource conservation, with a particular focus on the social dimensions of the field. He is the founder and was the primary coordinator of UF/IFAS Extension’s inaugural ‘Fang Fest’ in April 2024, where he worked on understanding public attitudes toward snakes in north-central Florida. Christian has experience working with forests, black bears, freshwater fish, and insects, all while engaging with, communicating with, and educating stakeholders from various demographics.
Sarah Cain, M.S.
OUTREACH SPECIALIST
Extension Associate, North Carolina State Extension Forestry. Sarah received her B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn University and later attended Oklahoma State University, where she obtained an M.S. in Natural Resource Ecology and Management. She has extensive experience in science communication, education, and outreach, working with organizations such as Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment, as well as Oklahoma State University Natural Resources Extension, to promote natural resource education and science-based land management objectives.
Jennifer E. Fawcett, Ph.D.
LEADERSHIP TEAM PARTNER
Extension Specialist, North Carolina State Extension Forestry and SERPPAS Prescribed Fire Working Group Coordinator. Jennifer pulls from her background in wildlife, forestry, wildland fire, and Extension education to conduct wildland fire-related education and outreach programs and to coordinate a regional prescribed fire working group.