Gwendolyn T Pipes

  • PhD (expected 2026)

    University of Wisconsin, Madison

    College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

    Minor in Life Sciences Communication

    Master of Science (2022)

    Cornell University

    College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

    Department of Natural Resources

    Concentration in Ecosystem Biology and Biogeochemistry

    Bachelor of Science (2020)

    Cornell University

    College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

    Environmental and Sustainability Sciences

    Concentration in Land, Air, Water Resources

    Distinction in Research

  • Pipes, G.T., Yavitt, J.B. (2022) Biochemical components of Sphagnum and persistence of peat soil. Can. J. Soil Sci. 3, 102. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2021- 0137

    Yavitt, J.B., Pipes, G.T., Olmos, E.C., Zhang, J., and Shapleigh, J.P. (2021) Soil organic matter, soil structure, and bacterial community structure in a post-agricultural landscape. Front. Earth Sci. 9, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.590103

    Yavitt, J. B., Kryczka, A. K., Huber, M. E., Pipes, G. T., & Rodriguez, A. M. (2019). Inferring Methane Production by Decomposing Tree, Shrub, and Grass Leaf Litter in Bog and Rich Fen Peatlands. Front. Environ. Sci., 7, 182. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2019.00182

  • PhD Student, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (2022 to Present)

    Advisor: Dr. Zachary Freedman

    Utilizing 13C-enriched substrates to track microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) and the fate of carbon within soil aggregates under varying tree species.

    Master’s Student, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2020 to 2022)

    Advisor: Dr. Joseph Yavitt

    Thesis: Tree species associated with arbuscular or ectomycorrhizal fungi influence soil aggregation

    Student Research Assistant, Fahey/Yavitt Lab, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2017 to 2020)

    Analyzed soil organic matter and structure in restored wetland and forest ecosystems.

    Independent Research Project, Dr. Jonathan Russell-Anelli, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2019)

    Completed a literature review and extension document on hydroponics and the safety of its components.

  • Lab Instructor, Investigative Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2020-2022)

    Taught biology laboratory skills and topics to undergraduate students.

    Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2020)

    Aided in teaching undergraduate students about life-cycle analysis (LCA).

    Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (2018)

    Taught undergraduate students Northeastern native and invasive species of trees, shrubs, fish, amphibians, and mammals.

    Mentorship

    Cornell University

    Undergraduate Research Assistants

    Connor Tamor, BS 2022 (2019-2022)

    Madeline Czymmek, BS 2021 (2020-2021)

    Zainub Malik, BS Expected 2024 (2020-2022)

    Daniela Arana, BS Expected 2025 (2021-2022)

    Rachel Mathisson, BS Expected 2024 (2021-2022)

    Undergraduate Teaching Assistants

    Danielle Tomer, BS 2021 (2020)

    Pallavi Kenkare, BS 2021 (2021)

    Isa Ciocca, BS Expected 2024 (2021)

    Flavia Scott, BS Expected 2024 (2021)

    Michelle Kwon, BS Expected 2023 (2021)

    Claire Kim, BS Expected 2025 (2022)

  • Distinction in Research, Cornell University (2020)

    Completed an individual research project and wrote an honors thesis on sphagnum decomposition and the resulting nutrients in peat to understand soil carbon cycling.

    Hatch Grant, Cornell University (2019)

    Received an undergraduate research grant for determining the role of soil aggregates in soil organic matter, nutrient storage, and stability in wetland ecosystems.

  • Community Outreach Chair, Cornell University (2021-2022)

    Cornell Graduate Women in Science (GWiS)

  • Interview (2022)

    “Forests under climate change”, Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center