KBS welcomes soil scientist as newest faculty member

Christine Sprunger’s new professional role also happens to be a homecoming of sorts.

Michigan State University and the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station welcomed Dr. Sprunger in August as an assistant professor of soil health in the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences. She had previously been based at KBS, years ago, as a graduate student in the Robertson Lab.

Sprunger’s research focuses primarily on understanding how agricultural practices influence soil and rhizosphere processes for enhanced agronomic performance and ecological function. In particular, she studies how crop diversity and perenniality influence soil food webs, nutrient cycling, and soil health.

She said, “I also explore how sustainable agriculture can contribute to climate mitigation via carbon sequestration.”

“Much of my work falls within the intersection of agriculture and the environment, so I am deeply invested in understanding how global climate change impacts crop productivity and ecosystem function within agroecosystems,” she added.

We are very excited to welcome Dr. Sprunger back to our community,” said KBS Director Fredric Janzen.

“She is working on the cutting edge of crucial issues involving soil health, an area of excellence for which KBS is a world leader. Her efforts focusing on nematodes and their influence on soils in relation to crop plant diversity are contributing unique expertise on key matters concerning agroecosystem sustainability and climate change.”

Christine Sprunger

In Sprunger’s birthplace of Haiti, soil degradation is a common problem. Because of her connection to Haiti, Sprunger became curious about environment conservation and food security at an early age. She’s found that soil science as a field of study blends together those early childhood interests well.

She earned a B.A. in environmental studies and a B.S. in forest resources, both from the University of Washington, before completing a Ph.D. at MSU in crop and soil sciences and ecology, evolutionary biology, and behavior. Before returning to KBS, Sprunger was based at the Ohio State University as an assistant professor of soil science and rhizosphere processes. She also was a postdoctoral researcher, first at Columbia University, then at OSU.

As a graduate student, Sprunger spent most of her time at KBS in the lab or in the field at the Long-term Ecological Research and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center sites. In addition to those familiar spots, this time around, she said, “I am really looking forward to taking advantage of Gull Lake and exploring  the awesome surrounding forests!”

Join us in welcoming Dr. Sprunger to KBS!