Faculty Profile: Dr. Robert Scheller

Dr. Scheller is Professor of Landscape Ecology at North Carolina State University (NCSU) in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources.  He is the President of the International Association for Landscape Ecologyand he is a member of the Emerging Plant Diseases and Global Food Security Cluster at NCSU.  He received his PhD in Forest Ecology from the University of Wisconsin. His research focuses on how landscapes have changed, how they will change, and why it matters. His research examines past and future landscape change due to climate change and human activities, management, and values. His research informs policy choices, regionally and globally.   Robert has published more than 100 manuscripts and book chapters. His first book, ‘Managing Landscapes for Change’ was published in 2020.

1. What do you study?

I study landscape ecology:  How have landscapes changed in the past and how will they change in the future?  In my lab, we particularly focus on the future effects of climate change, land use change, wildfires, insect outbreaks, and other major causes of forest change.  I’m also part of the Emerging Plant Diseases and Global Food Security cluster at NCSU.  The same principles that I’ve applied to forests we’re applying to farms:  Using the best available data to forecast how agricultural landscapes will change in response to insects and disease.

2. How did you get in your field?

I grew up in the woods of southern Minnesota and I always loved being outside and thinking about the plants and animals around our house.  As an undergraduate, I had a wonderful mentor, John Pastor, who got me really excited about forests and ecosystem ecology.  Later, working at the EPA in Duluth, MN, I was exposed to landscape ecology and how to view the world from a broader perspective.

3. What is most exciting about your research, and/or what do you hope to achieve with your research?

It is hard to pick the most exciting thing!  It is all super exciting.  I love mentoring students in my lab and in the Environmental Science capstone course the most.  They have incredible enthusiasm and original ideas and mad skills!  In the long run, I hope we make the world a better plan than it would be without us.  I believe in the power of science to improve lives, both for human and non-human life.  In the long run, I hope we make the world a better place than it would be without us.

4. What led to you becoming a professor at NC State?

I knew quite a few faculty already here and they convinced me that this was a great place to continue my career.  They weren’t wrong.  NCSU is blessed with fantastic people who are passionate about teaching and research yet have minimal ego.  The people of North Carolina also deserve credit for their enduring support for higher education.  Not all states do.

5. What advice would you give students interested in your field of study?

I tell my undergrads to start by getting your foot in the door, any door.  You won’t find your perfect job until a little later.  The important thing is to get started, network like crazy, contribute to your local community and your work community, and take some chances.  I started as a fish biologist, paid at just-above minimum wage during a recession, and I never looked back from there.

6. We heard you recently published a book, “Managing Landscapes for Change.” Can you tell us more about this?

I did!  I’m very proud of my first book, ‘Managing Landscapes for Change’.  It’s about how we move forward in an era of unrelenting environmental and social change, how we make choices even when we can’t be sure of the outcome, and how we balance everyone’s needs when the demand is great.  And many thanks to NCSU for making it possible!  I spent a lot of time in the faculty writing rooms at Hill Library and the resources and support were incredible.