># **YAMINA PRESSLER, PhD** Associate Professor of Soil Science and Restoration Ecology Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (805) 756-6338 | [email protected] | www.yaminapressler.com ### **EDUCATION** **Ph.D. Ecology** *(2019)* Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University Committee: Dr. John Moore, Dr. Francesca Cotrufo, Dr. Meena Balgopal, Dr. Alan Knapp Title: Fire disturbance belowground: untangling consequences for soil food webs and organic matter **B.S. Environmental Management and Protection** *(2013)* California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Minor: GIS in Agriculture Concentration: Plant Biology --- ### **PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS** - **Associate Professor of Soil Science and Restoration Ecology**, Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2025 - present)* - **Assistant Professor of Soil Science and Restoration Ecology**, Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2020 - 2025)* - **Adjunct Faculty**, Natural Resources and Environment, University of Alaska, Fairbanks *(2021)* - **Soil Science and Ecology Lecturer**, Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2019 - 2020)* - **Postdoctoral Research Associate**, Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University *(2019)* - **Instructor**, Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University *(2017 - 2018)* - **Graduate Research Assistant**, Colorado State University, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability *(2014 - 2019)* - **Graduate Teaching Fellow**, Colorado State University, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology *(2017)* - **Graduate Teaching Assistant**, Colorado State University *(2014 - 2017)* - **Laboratory Assistant**, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2013)* - **Earth Science Research Consultant**, NASA DEVELOP National Program *(2012)* --- ### **CONTINUING EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS** - Digital Photography 1, Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo *(2025)* - Cultures of Growth - Book Circle, Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo *(2024)* - Duck and Waterfowl Identification, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Academy, online course *(2024)* - Small Teaching - Book Circle, Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo *(2024)* - Life on the Rocks - lichen identification field trip, Morro Coast Audubon Society *(2023)* - Shorebird Identification, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Academy, online course *(2023)* - Advancing Inclusive Mentoring, Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo *(2023)* - Drawing 1, Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo *(2023)* - Be a Better Birder 1: Size and Shape, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Academy, online course *(2023)* - Assignment and Assessment Design to Promote Academic Integrity Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo *(2022)* - Teaching and Learning in the Diverse Classroom, EdX, Cornell University *(2022)* - Faculty Summer Writing Retreats, Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo *(2022)* - eBird Essentials, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Academy, online course *(2022)* - Introduction to Writing in the Disciplines, Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo *(2021)* - Faculty Advisor Training Series, Mustang Success Center, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo *(2021)* - Microbiomes and Global Change Summer Institute, UC Irvine *(2019)* - Integrating Writing in the Academic Core, Colorado State University *(2018)* - Graduate Student Intensive Writing Retreats & Workshops, Colorado State University, CSU Writes *(2016 - 2018)* - Summer Soil Institute, Colorado State University *(2014)* --- ### **PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS** 18\. Evans, A., McLaren, E., Brito-Bersi, T., Chavez-Velasco, E., Foster, E., Byrne, K., Griffin-Nolan, R.J., Luong, J., **Pressler, Y.** *(2025)*. [Assessing aggregate stability methods to inform restoration in California coastal grasslands](https://cnga.org/resources/Documents/Grasslands%20Journal/Grassland%20Issues/2025%20Grasslands%20Journal/CNGA%20Grasslands%20Vol%2035%20No%203%20Summer.pdf). California Native Grasslands Association Grasslands Journal. 17\. Wilson, S.G., Foster, E.J., O’Neill, F., Banuelos, A., Cook, A., Paustian, K., **Pressler, Y.**, Carey, C.J. *(2025)*. Soil organic carbon better described by soil mineralogy and exchangeable cations than oak restoration in California rangelands. Catena. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2025.109453 16\. Rodriguez-Paiatskya, A., **Pressler, Y.**, Decock, C. (*2025*). Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and cover crop on soil carbon dynamics and microbial communities in a Mediterranean lemon orchard. Plant and Soil. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07764-1 15\. **Pressler, Y.**, McClymonds, B. B., Balgopal, M. B., *(2024)*. Communicating about soil biodiversity: insights from science editorials and future recommendations. Pedobiologia. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedobi.2024.151003 14\. Bales, N., Grossenbacher, D., **Pressler, Y.**, *(2024)*. Abundance of a rare geophyte increases with biocrust cover. Madroño. 71(1):43-53. https://doi.org/10.3120/0024-9637-71.1.43 13\. **Pressler, Y**., Wilson, G., Cotrufo, M.F., Moore, J.C. *(2024)*. Fire return interval influences soil food web structure and stability in an oak-pine savanna. Plant and Soil. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-06646-2 12\. **Pressler, Y.**, Boot, C., Haddix, M., Abiven, S., Lugato, E., Cotrufo, M.F. *(2022)*. Continental-scale measurements of soil pyrogenic carbon in Europe. Soil Research. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR19396 11\. Rees, G.L., **Pressler, Y.,** Bates, G.W., Connolly, C.A., Sommerlad-Rogers, D., De-Lay, A.M., Gill, S.J., Papathakis, P.C., Kronewitter, R.M., Lammert, A.M. *(2021)*. Student perceptions of rapid transition to emergency remote learning in a hands-on agricultural college. Natural Sciences Education. https://doi.org/10.1002/nse2.20062 10\. Carter, T.L., Jennings, L.L., **Pressler, Y.**, Gallo, A.C., Berhe, A.A., Marin-Spiotta, E., Shepard, C.,Ghezzehei, T., Vaughan, K.L. *(2020)*. Towards diverse representation and inclusion in soil science in the United States. Soil Science Society of America Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20210 9\. **Pressler, Y.**, Zhou, J., He, Z., van Nostrand, J., Smith, A.P. *(2020)*. Post-agricultural tropical forest regeneration shifts soil microbial functional potential for carbon and nutrient cycling. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 107784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2020.107784 8\. Vaughan, K.L., van Miegroet, H., Pennino, A., **Pressler, Y.**, Duball, C., Brevik, E., Berhe, A.A., Olson, C. *(2019)*. Women in soil science: growing participation, emerging gaps, and the opportunities for advancement. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 83(5), 1278-1289. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2019.03.0085 7\. **Pressler, Y.**, Moore, J.C., Cotrufo, M.F. *(2019)*. Belowground community responses to fire: meta-analysis reveals contrasting responses of soil microorganisms and mesofauna. Oikos, 128(3), 309-327. (Editor's Choice) https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.05738 6\. Jin, H., van Rijn, P., Moore, J.C., Bauer, M.I., **Pressler, Y.**, Yestness, N. *(2019)*. A validation framework for science learning progression research. International Journal of Science Education,1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2019.1606471 5\. **Pressler, Y.**, Hunter-Laszlo, M., Bucko, S., Covitt, B.A., Urban, S., Benton, C., Bartholomew, M.,Morrison, A.J., Foster, E.J., Parker, S.D., Cotrufo, M.F., Moore, J.C. *(2019)*. Teaching authentic soil and plant science in middle school classrooms with a biochar case study. The American Biology Teacher, 81(4), 256-268. https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2019.81.4.256 4\. Koltz, A.M., Burkle, L.A., **Pressler, Y.**, Dell, J.E., Vidal, M.C., Richards, L.A., & Murphy, S.M. *(2018)*.Global change and the importance of fire for the ecology and evolution of insects. Current Opinion in Insect Science. 29, 110-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2018.07.015 3\. Koltz, A. M., Asmus, A., Gough, L., **Pressler, Y.**, & Moore, J. C. *(2018)*. The detritus-based microbial-invertebrate food web contributes disproportionately to carbon and nitrogen cycling in the Arctic. Polar Biology, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-017-2201-5 2\. Monroe, J.G., Markman, D.W., Beck, W.S., Felton, A.J., Vahsen, M.L., & **Pressler, Y.** *(2018)*. Ecoevolutionary dynamics of carbon cycling in the Anthropocene. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 33(3), 213-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2017.12.006 1\. **Pressler, Y.**, Foster, E. J., Moore, J. C., & Cotrufo, M. F. *(2017)*. Coupled biochar amendment and limited irrigation strategies do not affect a degraded soil food web in a maize agroecosystem, compared to the native grassland. GCB Bioenergy, 9(8), 1344-1355. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12429 --- ### **PREPRINTS** Peterson, M.J., **Pressler, Y.**, Knight, C.A., Hannusch, H.J., Lodge, A.G., Starns, H.D., Tolleson, D.R., Blazier, J.C., Rogers, W.E., Smith, A.P. *(2022 preprint)*. The interactive effects of drought and fire on soil microbial communities in a semi-arid savanna. SSRN https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4019280 --- ### **MANUSCRIPTS IN REVIEW, REVISION, & PREPARATION** Brune, J.F., **Pressler, Y.**, Wilson, S.G. *(in preparation for Biology and Fertility of Soils)*. Reburned: The effect of repeated high-severity fires on soil properties in California forests. Koltz, A.M., Asmus, A., Gough, L., **Pressler, Y**., Shaver, G., Moore, J.C. *(in preparation for Functional Ecology)*. Aboveground and belowground invertebrate communities display parallel functional but different structural responses to an unprecedented arctic tundra wildfire. Decock, C., Rodriguez-Paiatskya, A., Johnson, A., Barnes, H., Best, D., **Pressler, Y.**, Wilson, S., Lazcano, C. *(in preparation for CA Agriculture)*. Building soil health: lessons learnt from seven field trials on the California Central Coast. Kelly, C., King, A.E., Cotrufo, M.F., **Pressler, Y.,** Filley, T., Foster, E. *(in review at Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment).* A global meta-analysis of soil carbon fraction response to organic amendments in annual croplands. --- ### **BOOKS & BOOK CHAPTERS** M.F. Cotrufo & **Y. Pressler**, [A Primer on Stable Isotopes in Ecology](https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-primer-on-stable-isotopes-in-ecology-9780198854494?cc=us&lang=en&), Oxford University Press *(2023)* van Gestel, N., Natalie, S., Andriuzzi, W., Chapin III, F.S., Moore, J.C., **Pressler, Y.**, Salmon, V., Schuur,T., Shaver, G., Simpson, R.T., Wall, D. *(2019)*. Long-term warming research in high-latitude ecosystems: Responses from polar ecosystems and implications for future climate. In: Ecosystem consequences of soil warming, J. Mohan (Ed), Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813493-1.00016-8 --- ### **POPULAR PRESS ARTICLES** Rodriguez-Paiatskya, A., **Pressler, Y.**, M. Grieshop, Decock, C. [Orchard Floor Management to Promote Mycorrhizal Fungi and Carbon Cycling](https://progressivecrop.com/2025/05/20/orchard-floor-management-to-promote-mycorrhizal-fungi-and-carbon-cycling/). Progressive Crop Consultant, May 20, 2025. --- ### **DATASETS** **Pressler, Y.**, Moore, J.C., Cotrufo, M.F. *(2018)* Data from: Belowground community responses to fire: meta-analysis reveals contrasting responses of soil microorganisms and mesofauna. Dryad Digital Repository. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.19tb3dp --- ### **RESEARCH & ENGAGEMENT GRANTS** (total project budget; my role) - Characterizing novel microorganisms in rhizosphere soils in a disturbed serpentine ecosystem. Cal Poly Teacher-Scholar Mini Grant **($15,000; PI)** *(2025-2026)* - Quantifying abundance and distribution of soil microfauna in a coastal California rangeland. Cal Poly Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activities Grant. **($17,782; PI)** *(2025-2026)* - Establishing drought resilient grassland restoration networks in California. UC Climate Action Seed Grant. **($1,498,140; Co-PI subaward $183,162)** *(2023-2025)* - Sustainable Land Initiative. UC Climate Action Seed Grant. **($1,759,870; Co-investigator)** *(2023-2025)* - Planning an Open Textbook for Introductory Soil Science. USDA Higher Education Challenge Program Collaborative Grant Type 2. **($30,000; Co-PD)** *(2022-2025)* - Restoring positive plant-soil interactions to increase rangeland soil health and drought resilience. CSU Agricultural Research Institute. **($143,147; PI)** *(2021-2026)* - Watershed and soil response to wildfire at the Swanton Pacific Ranch. CSU Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) & USDA NIFA McIntire Stennis (MS). **(ARI: $182,469; MS: $120,000; Co-PI)** *(2021-2026)* - Impacts of cover-cropping on beneficial and parasitic soil nematodes in a California lemon orchard. CSU Agricultural Research Institute. **($5,000; PI)** *(2021)* - Communicating soil conservation, restoration, and management. BEACoN Mentoring Network, Cal Poly SLO **($5,000; PI)** *(2021)* - Mycorrhizae and soil health. Climate Initiative Grant, Cal Poly SLO **($5,000; PI)** *(2020)* - Improving predictions of soil organic matter dynamics and soil food web resilience to fire and drought in savanna rangelands. USDA NIFA Postdoctoral Fellowship. **($165,000; PI; declined)** *(2020)* - Will Run for Soil film. Wyoming Biodiversity Institute Novel Outreach and Education Grant. **($20,000; Co-PI)** *(2020)* - AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadorship Award **($5,000; PI)** *(2019)* - Will Run for Soil film. B.L. Allen matching funds **($25,000; Co-PI)** *(2018)* - Colorado Mountain Club Foundation Fellowship **($1,000; PI)** *(2015)* - Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Small Grant **($1,800; PI)** *(2015)* - Francis Clark Soil Biology Scholarship **($3,000; PI)** *(2015)* --- ### **INVITED TALKS & SEMINARS** **Pressler, Y.** Soil biota and carbon pools in post-fire landscapes. University of California Santa Barbara. *(2025)* **Pressler, Y.** Soil biological communities in fire-affected ecosystems. Environmental Studies Department Seminar. University of California Santa Cruz. *(2025)* **Pressler, Y.** Hidden natural wonders: soils of the central coast. Morro Bay Museum of Natural History Mind Walks Lecture Series. *(2024)* **Pressler, Y.** Exploring the soils that make up the world around us. Rockville Science Center Lecture Series. *(2024)* **Pressler, Y.** Communicating soil care to inspire collective action. Climate Solutions Now, Cal Poly SLO *(2023)* **Pressler, Y**. Soil biota and organic matter in fire-affected ecosystems. Biology Department, California State University, Chico. *(2023)* **Pressler, Y.** [Exploring the formation and function of anthropogenic soils](https://yaminapressler.com/Website/hidden/Exploring+the+formation+and+function+of+anthropogenic+soils). Western Chapter of the International Society for Arboriculture. Cal Poly, SLO *(2023)* **Pressler, Y.** Bales, N., Wilson, S., James, J., Buecheler, A., Nielsen, K., Cameron, C., Sussman, C., Wildman, N., O'Niell, F., Farmer, M., Forstmann, S., Frost, L. Linkages between plant and soil communities in coastal rangelands. How Do California Rangelands Store Carbon? Webinar *(2023)* **Pressler, Y.** Artistic avenues to explore and celebrate soil habitats and biodiversity. Entomological Society of America Meeting *(2022)* **Pressler, Y.** The soil, ecology, and climate connection. Cal Poly Climate Solutions Now. *(2021)* **Pressler, Y.** Learning to speak for the soil. Ecological Society of America Meeting. *(2021)* **Pressler, Y.** Pyrogenic soil ecology: below ground interactions in fire-affected ecosystems. CAFES Seminar Series, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. *(2021)* **Pressler, Y.**, Vaughan, K.L. Artistic expressions of soil build a new narrative for soil science communication. AGU Annual Meeting. *(2020)* **Pressler, Y.** Soil food webs and organic matter in fire-affected savanna ecosystems. Enviro-lunch seminar series. UC Merced.*(2020)* **Pressler, Y.** Soil food web resistant and resilience in the context of land management and restoration. Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University. *(invited & postponed)* **Pressler, Y.** Pyrogenic soil ecology: consequences of fire for soil food webs and organic matter. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. *(2020)* **Pressler, Y.** Connecting to the intrinsic value of soil through watercolor. Soil Science Society of America Meeting. *(2019)* **Pressler, Y.** Untangling the consequences of fire and agricultural management for soil food web structure, function, and resilience. Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo *(2019)* **Pressler, Y.**, Simpson, R., Yepa, F., Koltz, A., Rocha, A., Moore, J.C. Arctic tundra soil food web structure, function, and stability after wildfire. Soil Science Society of America Meeting *(2019)* **Pressler, Y.** Fire disturbance belowground: untangling consequences for soil food webs and organic matter. Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Texas A&M University *(2018)* **Pressler, Y.,** Koltz, A.M., Asmus, A., Simpson, R., Gough, L., Shaver, G., Moore, J.C. Recovery and recoupling of above- and belowground food webs after an unprecedented Arctic wildfire. Ecological Society of America Meeting *(2017)* **Pressler, Y.** Pedodiversity begets biodiversity. Global Biodiversity Center, Colorado State University *(2017)* **Pressler, Y.** Embracing simplicity to answer complex ecological questions. Front Range Student Ecology Symposium *(2016)* --- ### **INVITED PANELS** - Moderator, Restoration and Community Action, Annual Environmental Justice Symposium, Bren School, UC Santa Barbara *(2025)* - Panelist, Central Coast Rangeland Coalition Workshop, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2024)* - Moderator, State of Womxn Panel, Gender Equity Center, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2024)* - Panelist, Getting Involved in Regenerative Agriculture, Cal Poly Climate Solutions Now *(2021)* - Panelist, Frontiers in Soil Ecology Closing Panel, Soil Ecology Society Meeting *(2019)* - Panelist, What I Wish I Knew in Grad School Panel, Colorado State University *(2018)* - Panelist, REEU Professional Development Panel, Colorado State University *(2018)* - Panelist, Dirt, A Terra Nova Expedition, Bas Bleu Theatre, Fort Collins CO *(2018)* - Panelist, Dirt: the Movie Panel. Biodiversity Center, University of Wyoming *(2017)* --- ### **CONTRIBUTED PRESENTATIONS & POSTERS** Humber, A., **Pressler, Y.**, Rajakaruna, N. Microarthropods as Indicators of Soil Biodiversity on and off Disturbed Ultramafic Outcrops in San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.A. International Conference on Serpentine Ecology. *(2025)* Hoang, S., Blemker, R., Rodriguez-Paiatsyka, A., Eckler, N., Held, M., Nordenholz, S., Pezzaglia, H., Santitoro, S., Warren, A., Weinert, O., Pearse, E., Decock, C., **Pressler, Y.** Impacts of climate-smart agriculture on soil carbon dynamics in small-scale working lands in San Luis Obispo County. California Society for Ecological Restoration *(2025)* Eckler, N., Weinert, O., Hoang, S., Blemker, R., Rodriguez-Paiatsyka, A., Held, M., Nordenholz, S., Pezzaglia, H., Santitoro, S., Warren, A., Pearse, E., Decock, C., **Pressler, Y.** Responses of soil nematode communities to compost addition in small-scale working lands in San Luis Obispo County. California Society for Ecological Restoration *(2025)* Weinert, O., Eckler, N., Hoang, S., Blemker, R., Rodriguez-Paiatsyka, A., Held, M., Nordenholz, S., Pezzaglia, H., Santitoro, S., Warren, A., Pearse, E., Decock, C., **Pressler, Y.** Quantifying soil aggregate stability in climate-smart agriculture practices. California Society for Ecological Restoration *(2025)* Cameron, C.J., Wildman, N.B., Brune, J., Davis, P., Baham, N., Wilson, S. **Pressler, Y.** Impact of Low Severity Wildfire on Soil Nematode Communities as a Proxy for Prescribed Burns. California Society for Ecological Restoration *(2025)* Giordano, K., Evans, A., McLaren, E., LeValley, M., Foster, E., Bryne, K., Griffin-Nolan, R., Luong, J., **Pressler, Y.** Quantifying soil organic matter distribution to inform restoration in California coastal grasslands. California Society for Ecological Restoration *(2025)* **Pressler, Y.**, Foster, E., McLaren, E., Evans, A., Giordano, K., Bressler, M., Nielsen, K., Buecheler, A., Forstmann, S., Cameron, C., Wildman, N., Chavez-Velasco, E., Brito-Bersi, T., Cook, A., Latt, C., Wilson, S., Byrne, K., Griffin-Nolan, R.J., Luong, J. [Building a soil restoration toolbox: accessible approaches for field soil characterization](https://yaminapressler.com/Website/hidden/SERCAL+2025+Contact+Card). California Society for Ecological Restoration. *(2025)* **Pressler, Y.**, McLaren, E., Evans, E., Bales, N., Nielsen, K., Forstmann, S., Cameron, C., Wilson, S., Foster, E., Byrne, K., Griffin-Nolan, R., Luong, J. [Soil organic matter variability in coastal California grasslands](https://yaminapressler.com/Website/hidden/Soil+organic+matter+variability+in+coastal+California+grasslands#Glad+we+could+connect+at+CNGA!). California Native Grasslands Association Symposium. *(2025)* Cameron, C., Wildman, N., Brune, J., Davis, P., Baham, N., Wilson, S., **Pressler, Y.** Impacts of sequential high severity wildfires on soil nematode communities. Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting. *(2024)* **Pressler, Y.** [Writing with soils: how we make meaning in soil science](https://yaminapressler.com/Website/hidden/Writing+with+soils#Writing+with+soils+how+we+make+meaning+in+soil+science). Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting. *(2024)* Evans, A., McLaren, E., **Pressler, Y.**, Foster, E., Byrne, K., Griffin-Nolan, R., Luong, J. Assessing aggregate stability methods to inform grassland restoration. CAFES Summer Undergraduate Research Program Symposium and California Native Grasslands Association Symposium. *(2024, 2025)* Krause AG, Luong JC, Brito-Bersi T, Byrne KM, Chavez-Velasco EJ, Foster E, **Pressler Y**, Griffin-Nolan RJ. Characterizing and contextualizing drought survival strategies of California coastal grassland species. Ecological Society of America *(2024)* **Pressler, Y.** [Applying writing-to-learn to ecological restoration](https://yaminapressler.com/Website/hidden/Applying+writing-to-learn+to+ecological+restoration). California Society for Ecological Restoration. *(2024)* Nielsen, K. Buecheler, A., Bales, N., Wilson, S., **Pressler, Y**. Implications of Restoration-focused Grazing on Plant-Soil Linkages in California Coastal Rangelands. California Society for Ecological Restoration *(2024)* Forstmann, S., Cameron, C., Farmer, M., Bales, N., Hayes, G., **Pressler, Y.** Spatial variation influences carbon storage and plant-soil properties more than management in a coastal California rangeland. California Society for Ecological Restoration *(2024)* **Pressler, Y.** Bales, E., Wilson, S. James, J., Buecheler, A., Cameron, C., Farmer, M., Forstmann, S., Frost, L., Nielsen, K., O'Niell, F., Snyder, A., Sussman, C., Wildman, N. Landscape restoration influences plant and soil communities in a coastal rangeland. Ecological Society of America Meeting. *(2023)* Bales, N., Wilson, S., **Pressler, Y.** Coastal grassland plant community shifts along a grazing management continuum. Ecological Society of America. *(2023)* **Pressler, Y.** Bales, E., Wilson, S., Knight, C., Buecheler, A., Cameron, C., Farmer, M., Forstmann, S., Frost, L., Nielsen, K., O'Niell, F., Snyder, A., Sussman, C., Wildman, N. Studying ecological responses to conservation grazing using a student-centered teaching and research approach. California Society for Ecological Restoration. *(2023)* Nielsen, K., Sussman, C., Cameron, C., Snyder, A., Frost, L., Bales, N., Wilson, S., **Pressler. Y.** Fewer soil nematodes are found in continuously grazed lands while they thrive under conservation practices. California Society for Ecological Restoration. (2023) Farmer, M., Forstmann, S. Hayes, G., Bales, N., **Pressler. Y.** Location influences plant biomass more than management practice in coastal California rangelands. CAFES Spring Research Symposium. *(2023)* Bales, E., **Pressler, Y.** Abundance of a rare geophyte increases with biocrust cover. California Native Plant Society Conference. *(2022)* Bales, E., **Pressler, Y.** Abundance of a rare geophyte increases with biocrust cover. Botanical Society of America 117th Annual Meeting, Anchorage, AK. *(2022)* Windsor, M., **Pressler, Y.** Evaluating relationships between scale and success in soil restoration research, CAFES Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium *(2022)* Nielsen, K., Cameron, C., Decock, C., **Pressler, Y.** Impacts of cover-cropping on beneficial and parasitic soil nematodes in a California lemon orchard. CAFES Spring Research Symposium *(2022)* Bales, E., **Pressler, Y.** Investigating the relationship between biological soil crusts and purple amole (Hoovaria purpurea var. purpurea), a rare plant on California’s Central Coast. Ecological Society of America. *(2021)* Avendano, M., **Pressler, Y.** The extent and scale of soil ecological and biological knowledge in ecological restoration research. CAFES Spring Research Symposium. *(2021 & 2022)* Niederer, O., Decock, C., **Pressler, Y.** Mycorrhizae and soil health in California lemon orchards. CAFES Spring Research Symposium. *(2021)* Gill, S.G., **Pressler, Y.,** Rees, G.L., Bates, G.W., Connolly, C.A., Sommerlad-Rogers, D., De-Lay, A.M., Papathakis, P.C., Kronewitter, R.M., Lammert, A.M. Student perceptions of  rapid transition to emergency remote learning in a hands-on agricultural college. Cal Poly Center for Health Research COVID-19-related Research Showcase. *(2021)* Graham, R., **Pressler, Y.** @Soil_Memes: Integrating memes into introductory soil science courses promotes long-term student engagement. Soil Science Society of America Meeting. *(2020)* Graham, R., **Pressler, Y.**, Decock, C., Wilson, S.G., Rees, G.L. Digital adaptations for distance laboratory-based learning in soil science. Soil Science Society of America Meeting. *(2020)* **Pressler, Y.,** Hannusch, H., Rogers, W.E., and Smith, A.P. Soil microbial and nematode responses to interactive drought and fire disturbances in a semi-arid savanna rangeland. Soil Science Society of America Meeting *(2019)* **Pressler, Y.,** Boot, C., Abiven, S., Lugato, E., and Cotrufo, M.F. Coupling DRIFT spectroscopy and BPCA techniques to quantify pyrogenic carbon in soils across Europe. Soil Science Society of America Meeting *(2019)* **Pressler, Y**., Marín-Spiotta, E., Basler, T.C., Zhou, J. and Smith, A.P. Depleted functional potential in C, N, P, and S cycling genes of soil microbial communities with tropical forest succession. Soil Ecology Society Meeting *(2019)* Berhe A.A., Brevik, E.C., Christopherson, T., Duball, C., Page-Dumroese, D.S., Kienast-Brown, S., Lindbo, D.L., Lynn, L.A., Norton, U., Olson, C.G., **Pressler, Y.**, Thomas, P., Vaughan, K.L., Weems, S., Ying, S.C., Price Youngquist, C., Pennino, A., Ash-Kropf, Z., Tsiafouli, M., Winowiecki, L. Chiartas, J. State of gender parity in soil science. Soil Science Society of America Meeting *(2017)* **Pressler, Y.**, Moore, J.C, Cotrufo, M.F. Fire reduces soil biota biomass and diversity: a cross- biome meta-analysis. Soil Ecology Society Meeting *(2017)* Moore, J.C., **Pressler, Y**., Koltz, A.M., Asmus, A., Simpson, R. Tundra fire disturbance homogenizes belowground food web structure, function and dynamics. American Geophysical Union Meeting *(2016)* **Pressler, Y.**, Cotrufo, M.F., Moore, J.C. Fire frequency affects soil pyrogenic organic matter content and food web dynamics in an oak-savannah ecosystem. Soil Science Society of America Meeting *(2016)* Skibstead, H., **Pressler, Y.** Fire frequency affects abundance and diversity of soil biota. Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Department Spring Research Fair, Colorado State University *(2016)* **Pressler, Y.**, Berryman, E., Cotrufo, M.F., Moore, J.C. Soil biological community response to fire and implications for carbon dynamics. Soil Science Society of America Meeting *(2015)* **Pressler, Y.**, Bowie, L., Hunter-Laszlo, M., Selby, G., Foster, E.J., Hansen, N., Cotrufo, M.F.,Moore, J.C. Understanding soil food web structure and function in a biochar amended corn agroecosystem: bringing field research to the classroom. Soil Ecology Society Meeting *(2015; best student poster award)* Bowie, L., **Pressler, Y.,** Selby, G., Moore, J.C. The effects of biochar as a soil amendment on microarthropod abundance in a semi-arid corn agroecosystem. Ecosystem Science and Sustainability Department Spring Research Fair, Colorado State University *(2015)* **Pressler, Y.**, Yestness, N., Moore, J.C. Assessing undergraduate student learning of systems thinking in a systems theory course. Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory Symposium, Colorado State University *(2014)* **Pressler, Y.,** Vaughan, K.L. Nitrogen cycling in well-developed cyanobacterial biological soil crusts under varied moisture conditions. Soil Science Society of America Meeting *(2013)* --- ### **COURSES TAUGHT** **Undergraduate courses** SOIL & EARTH SCIENCE - Introductory Soil Science (SS 120), Cal Poly, *(2019 - present)* - Introduction to Earth Science (ERSC 144), Cal Poly *(2020 - present)* - Soil Morphology (SS 321), Cal Poly *(2020 - present)* - Soil Ecology Lab (SS 422), Cal Poly *(2020)* - Soil Microbiology (SOCR 455)_,_ Colorado State University *(2017 - 2018)* ECOLOGY - Senior Project - Ecological Restoration (NR 464), Cal Poly *(2024 - present)* - Ecological Restoration in Practice (NR470/471), Cal Poly *(2023)* - Natural Resource Ecology and Habitat Management (NR 306), Cal Poly (*2019 - present)* - Systems Theory & Information Management (ESS 130, co-instructor), Colorado State University *(2017 - 2018)* **Graduate courses** - Research Planning (ESCI 501, co-instructor), Cal Poly *(2019)* **Field courses** - Alaska Soil Geography Field Course (NRM 489/689, co-instructor), University of Alaska, Fairbanks *(2021)* --- ### **WORKSHOPS FACILITATED** - GRASS-Net Field Day: Tools for Climate Resilient Grassland Restoration, Pepperwood Preserve *(2025)* - Healthy Soils Field Day, Swanton Pacific Ranch *(2023)* - Soil Ecology and Trees Day, Western Chapter of the Society of Arboriculture, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2023)* - Science Communication Workshop, Summer Undergraduate Research Program, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2022, 2023, 2024)* - Principles of Productivity: building personalized strategies for effective writing, research, and networking, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Tennessee *(2020)* --- ### **GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS** - Foundations of Ecology (ECOL 505), Colorado State University *(2017)* - Systems Theory and Information Management (ESS 130), Colorado State University *(2015-2016)* - Ecology (LIFE 320), Colorado State University *(2014-2015)* --- ### **GUEST LECTURES** - Forest Ecology (NR 305), Cal Poly SLO *(2025)* - [Geoecology](https://yaminapressler.com/Website/hidden/Soil+food+webs+in+extreme+environments) (BIO 448), Cal Poly SLO *(2024)* - Climate Action Planning (CRP 440), Cal Poly SLO *(2022, 2023)* - Soil-Plant Nutrient Relations (SOCR 540), Colorado State University *(2018)* - Terrestrial Stable Isotope Ecology (SOCR 670), Colorado State University *(2018)* - Soils and Global Change (SOCR 400), Colorado State University *(2017)* - Foundations of Ecology (ECOL 505), Colorado State University *(2017)* - Ecosystem Ecology (BIO 446), Cal Poly SLO *(2016)* - Ecology (LIFE 320), Colorado State University *(2015)* --- ### **EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS** - Tree-killing beetles Data Nugget: [http://datanuggets.org/2018/08/tree-killing-beetles/](http://datanuggets.org/2018/08/tree-killing-beetles/) *(2018)* - Principles of Studying: [https://yaminapressler.com/principles-of-studying/](https://yaminapressler.com/Website/hidden/principles+of+studying) *(2018)* --- ### **STUDENT ADVISING** **Graduate student research advisees** - **Emma McLaren**, MS Project Advisor, Evaluating root traits to inform climate-smart grassland restoration in California, Cal Poly SLO *(2023 - 2024)* - **Maxwell Farmer**, MS Project Advisor, Understanding practitioner perspectives to inform rangeland restoration in California, Cal Poly SLO *(2023 - 2024)* - **Cameron Gaspord**, MS Thesis Committee Member, Exploring the biogeochemical legacy of tundra fire in a seasonally-explicit manner *(2024)* - **Reed Williams**, MS Thesis Committee Member, Spatial drivers of soil health in a post-fire watershed *(2023 - 2024)* - **Annie Booth**, MS Project Advisor, Establishing a monitoring framework to evaluate ecological impacts of grazing exclusion at Santa Rita Ranch, Cal Poly SLO *(2022 - 2023)* - **Alexis Heuer**, MS Project Co-Advisor, Environmental controls on soil organic matter fractions in post-fire landscapes, Cal Poly SLO *(2022 - 2023)* - **Gracie Doolin**, MS Project Co-Advisor, Fire effects on soil organic matter in the Creek Fire, Cal Poly SLO *(2022 - 2023)* - **Julie Lewis**, MS Project Co-Advisor, Understanding post-fire soil health at the mega-fire scale *(2022 - 2023)* - **Nora Bales**, MS Thesis Advisor, Factors affecting California grassland biodiversity: two case studies, Cal Poly SLO *(2020 - 2023)* - **Dyani Frye**, MS Thesis Committee Member, Using portable X-ray fluoresence to predict physical and chemical properties of California soils, Cal Poly SLO *(2020 - 2022)* - **Erin Lucett**, MS Project Advisor, Public participation in disaster mitigation in Cambria, CA, Cal Poly SLO *(2020)* - **Brian Clark**, MS Thesis Committee Member, Characteristics and management implications of mollic soils in forest versus grassland settings in Central California, Cal Poly SLO *(2020 - 2021)* - **Jacqueline Rose**, MS Thesis Committee Member, Cal Poly SLO *(2019)* **Undergraduate student research advisees** - **Hana Pezzaglia**, Sustainable Land Initiative Soils Team, Cal Poly SLO *(2024-present)* - **Abby Warren**, Sustainable Land Initiative Soils Team, Cal Poly SLO *(2024-present)* - **Abby Evans**, GRASS-NET, Assessing Aggregate Stability Methods to Inform Grassland Restoration, Cal Poly SLO *(2024-present)* - **Kacie Giordano**, GRASS-NET, Cal Poly SLO *(2024-present)* - **Sophia Nordenholz**, Sustainable Land Initiative Soils Team, Cal Poly SLO *(2024-present)* - **Iris Marchant**, GRASS-Net, Cal Poly SLO *(2024)* - **Molly Held**, Sustainable Land Initiative Soils Team, Cal Poly SLO *(2023-present)* - **Riley Blemker**, Sustainable Land Initiative Soils Team, Cal Poly SLO *(2023-present)* - **Sophia Santitoro**, Sustainable Land Initiative Soils Team, Cal Poly SLO *(2023-present)* - **Sophia Hoang**, Sustainable Land Initiative Soils Team, Cal Poly SLO *(2023-present)* - **Ona Weinert**, Sustainable Land Initiative Soils Team, Cal Poly SLO *(2023-present)* - **Natalie Eckler**, Interactive effects of fire and drought on soil nematode communities and Sustainable Land Initiative Soils Team, Cal Poly SLO *(2023-present)* - **Diego Ortega**, Exploring physical properties of a global sand dataset, Cal Poly SLO *(2023-present)* - **Anna Buecheler**, Evaluating spider, animal burrow, and lichen responses to landscape-scale rangeland restoration, Cal Poly SLO *(2022 - 2024)* - **Nabila Wildman**, Restoring positive plant-soil interactions to increase rangeland soil health and drought resilience, Cal Poly SLO *(2022 - present)* - **Lauren Frost**, Restoring positive plant-soil interactions to increase rangeland soil health and drought resilience, Cal Poly SLO *(2022 - 2023)* - **Alison Snyder**, Restoring positive plant-soil interactions to increase rangeland soil health and drought resilience, Cal Poly SLO *(2022 - 2023)* - **Sophia Forstmann**, Assessing plant-soil linkages in passively restored coastal California grasslands, Cal Poly SLO *(2022 - 2024)* - **Maxwell Farmer**, Assessing plant-soil linkages in passively restored coastal California grasslands, Cal Poly SLO *(2022 - 2023)* - **Maddie Windsor**, Evaluating relationships between scale and success in soil restoration research, Cal Poly SLO CAFES Summer Undergraduate Research Program *(2022)* - **Kylee Nielsen**, Impacts of cover-cropping on beneficial and parasitic soil nematodes in a California lemon orchard, Cal Poly SLO *(2021 - 2024)* - **Cody Cameron**, Impacts of cover-cropping on beneficial and parasitic soil nematodes in a California lemon orchard, Cal Poly SLO *(2021 - present)* - **Carly Sussman**, Mycorrhizae and soil health in California lemon orchards, Cal Poly SLO *(2021 - 2022)* - **Bailey McClymonds**, Communicating soil conservation, management, and restoration, Cal Poly SLO *(2021)* - **Andrew Weiss**, Soils in ecological restoration contexts: a systematic review, Cal Poly SLO *(2020 - 2021)* - **Maya Avendano**, Soils in ecological restoration contexts: a systematic review, Cal Poly SLO *(2020 - 2022)* - **Olivia Niederer**, Mycorrhizae and soil health in California lemon orchards, Cal Poly SLO *(2019 - 2021)* - **Alyssa Zurbuchen**, Mycorrhizae in serpentine soils, Cal Poly SLO *(2019 - 2020)* **Other advising roles** - **Advisor,** 27 students in NRES LEAD Scholars Program *(2022 - present)* - **Soil Judging Team Coach**, Colorado State University,17 students *(2014 - 2019)* - **Group Leader**, Dinosaur National Monument Pedology Field Course, Colorado State University 3 students *(2017, 2018)* - **Mentor**, USDA Research and Extension Experiential Learning for Undergraduates, Colorado State University, 4 students *(2017 - 2018)* - **Mentor**, Skills for Undergraduate Participation in Ecological Research, Colorado State University, 3 students *(2015 - 2017)* --- ### **PUBLIC OUTREACH** - Speaker, Rockville Science Center Lecture Series (2024) - Speaker, Morro Bay Museum of Natural History Mind Walks Lecture Series (2024) - Creator, Wonder of Soil Newsletter *(2023 - present)* - Artist, Hidden Processes, displayed at Entomological Society of America Juried Art Show *(2022)* - Speaker, Smithsonian Gardens Let's Talk Gardens *(2022)* - Speaker, International Museum of Art and Science *(2022)* - Creator, Wonder of Soil Audio Essays [https://anchor.fm/soil](https://anchor.fm/soil)*(2021)*       - Speaker, Birmingham Science Cafe Talk with McWane Science Center *(2020)* - Feature, Mission Unstoppable, featured episode on CBS *(2020)* - Innovator of the Week, Eugene Science Center *(2020)* - Science! With Friends podcast interview, Our Soils, Ourselves *(2020)* - Ambassador, AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadors Program [www.ifthenshecan.org](http://www.ifthenshecan.org) *(2019 - 2021)* - Creator, Will Run for Soil film *(2018 - present)* - Artist, soil profile watercolor series displayed at SSSA *(2019)* --- ### **MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS** - CSA News, ["Drawing, Writing, and Painting with Soils"](https://www.sciencesocieties.org/publications/csa-news/2025/may/drawing-writing-and-painting-with-soils?q=publications/csa-news/2025/may/drawing-writing-and-painting-with-soils/) by Tess Joosse *(2025)* - AGU Eos Career Issue, ["Yamina Pressler: Slowing Down, Appreciating Complexity, and Embracing Soil"](https://eos.org/features/yamina-pressler-slowing-down-appreciating-complexity-and-embracing-soil) by Carolyn Wilke *(2023)* - SLO Tribune, “Cal Poly soil scientist doesn’t just teach about dirt - she paints with it too” by Jennifer Schmidt *(2021)* - Runners World Magazine, “Soil is One of the Least Appreciated Natural Resources. These Runners Hope to Change That” by Emily Halnon *(2021)* - Smithsonian Magazine, “Using Soil to Make Art” by Becca Dzombak *(2021)* - Mustang News, “Ecology Professor Uses Social Media to Share her Research Virtually” by Grace Kitayama *(2021)* - SLO Tribune, “Watch Cal Poly Professor Dig in the Dirt for CBS Show Mission Unstoppable” by Sarah Linn *(2020)* --- ### **K-12 CLASSROOM OUTREACH** - Frontiers of Flight Museum, Spring & Summer Break Camps Speaker *(2022)* - Soil science & art education video creator, Creek Lands Conservation *(2021)* - Soil color talk, Santa Fe Girls School, Santa Fe, NM *(2021)* - K-12 talk, Sciencenter, Ithaca NY *(2020)* - DreamWakers Flashchat with V. Sue Cleveland High School *(2020)* - Facilitator, Arctic LTER Research Experience for Teachers *(2015-2019)* - Education Team, Bioenergy Alliance Network of the Rockies *(2014-2019)* - Co-creator & Facilitator, Soil Ecology Enrichment Program Preston Middle School, Rocky Mountain High School, Bennett Elementary *(2014-2019)* - Facilitator, Environmental Earth Science Middle School Outreach San Luis Obispo County School District *(2013)* --- ### **RECOGNITION & AWARDS** - New Scholar Award, College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Cal Poly *(2025)* - Western Region CCA Allan Romander Faculty Mentor Award - Coast Region *(2021)* - Travel Award, ESA Soil Ecology Section *(2017)* - NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable mention *(2015, 2016)* - Travel Award, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory *(2016)* - Soil Ecology Society Best Student Poster Award *(2015)* - Travel Award, NRES Department, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2013)* - 11th Place Individual, National Collegiate Soils Contest *(2013)* - Distinguished Achievement Scholarship, NASA DEVELOP National Program *(2012)* --- ### **UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, & DEPARTMENTAL SERVICE** - Poster Judge, CAFES Spring Student Research Symposium *(2024)* - NRES Search Committee Member - Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development *(2024 - 2025)* - Committee Member, NRES Budget and Resource Committee *(2024 - 2025)* - University Faculty Advisory Committee on Library *(2023 - 2025)* - NRES Search Committee Member - Wildland Fire Management *(2023)* - Faculty Advisor, LEAD Scholars Program, NRES Department *(2022 - present)* - Faculty Mentor, First Year Success Program, Mustang Success Center *(2022 -present)* - NRES Search Committee Chair - Administrative Support Coordinator 1 *(2022)* - CAFES Summer Undergraduate Research Program Planning Committee *(2022)* - NRES Ecosystem Science & Management Graduate Program Committee *(2021 - 2024)*  - Advisor for Land Rehabilitation and Restoration Ecology Minor *(2021 - present)* - Advisor for Environmental Sciences Club *(2020 - present)* - NRES Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee *(2020 - present)* - CAFES Spring Symposium Planning Committee *(2020 - 2021)* - Graduate Student Representative, NREL Executive Committee *(2016 - 2017)* - Poly Reps University Ambassador, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo *(2010 - 2013)* --- ### **PROFESSIONAL SERVICE & MEMBERSHIPS** - Affiliate Board Member, California Society for Ecological Restoration *(2025 - present)* - Professional Member #275, Professional Soil Scientists Association of California *(2023 - present)* - Communications Officer, Soil Ecology Society *(2020 - 2024)* - Co-organizer, Soils of Fire-affected Landscapes Symposium at SSSA *(2019)* - Graduate Student Representative, Soil Ecology Society *(2017 - 2019)* - Facilitator, Summer Soil Institute, Colorado State University *(2015 - 2018)*   - Member, Soil Ecology Society, Ecological Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, American Geophysical Union *(2013 - present)* --- ### **PEER REVIEW** - Western SARE Technical Review Panel *(2024 - 2025)* - National Soil Cooperative Survey Western Region Taxonomy & Standards Review Committee *(2022, 2024)* - CSU Agricultural Research Institute proposal review panelist *(2020, 2022)* - Journal peer-reviewer *(2017 - present)*: Geoderma (2); Frontiers in Earth Science (1); Environmental Entomology (2); PeerJ (1); Global Change Biology (5); Applied Soil Ecology (2); Soil Biology & Biochemistry (5); Ecological Monographs (1); Rangeland Ecology and Management (1); Molecular Ecology (1); New Phytologist (1); Plant and Soil (1); Natural Sciences Education (1); Pedobiologia (1) ---