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Sue Phillips

I've been with the USGS since 1997, working as a manager, supervisory biologist and now FRESC's Center Director. 

Before joining FRESC's management team, my research focused on the plant, soil, and physiological ecology of arid and semiarid ecosystems, primarily those of the southwestern U.S., but also Africa, the Middle East, Australia, Ecuador, and central Mexico. Before joining the USGS, I spent eight years as a Research Associate at the University of Utah, where I received my M.S. in Plant Physiological Ecology. I received my B.S. in Biology in 1986 from the University of Colorado and worked as a field and lab assistant, then Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sub-project manager, at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research.

Professional Experience

  • 2019-present:  Center Director, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR

  • 2009-2019:  Aridlands Research Manager, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR

  • 2007-2009:  Supervisory Biologist, USGS Canyonlands Field Station, Moab, UT

  • 1997-2007: Biologist, USGS Canyonlands Field Station, Moab, UT

  • 1996-1997:  Biologist, National Park Service, Moab ,UT

  • 1996-1997: Research Associate, Biology Department, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

  • 1989-1996:  Senior Research Specialist, Biology Department, University of Utah, Salt Lake City ,UT

  • 1985-1987: LTER Subproject Manager, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, Boulder, CO

  • 1983-1985: Research Assistant, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, Boulder, CO

Education and Certifications

  • M.S., Biology major with an emphasis in Plant Physiological Ecology,University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (1996) 

  • B.S., Environmental, Population and Organismal Biology major with an emphasis in Plant Ecology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO (1986) 

Science and Products