LTER Network Office
The LTER Network Office (LNO) serves as a hub for the research synthesis, education, and outreach activities of the LTER Network and a first point of contact for organizations who may want to partner or engage with the Network.
The LNO is housed at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis and shares technical and logistical support personnel with the Center. This arrangement allows the LNO to benefit from NCEAS’ 30+ years of experience in data science, open science for synthesis, and working group facilitation.
LTER Network Office Leadership
Ben Halpern, Executive Director
Ben Halpern is Executive Director of the UCSB National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) in Santa Barbara.
Dr. Halpern has led and participated in many synthetic research projects that have advanced understanding of the state of the world’s oceans and the potential for marine reserves to improve ocean condition. In particular, he has led the development and mapping of cumulative impact assessments at global and regional scales in marine and freshwater systems and has been the lead scientist for the Ocean Health Index project.
Marty Downs, Director
Marty Downs manages operations of the LNO and handles synthesis support, partnerships, network coordination, communications, and training. Marty brings more than 15 years of science communications experience as a writer, editor and communications professional in academic, non-profit and government organizations. Research in ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry took her to several LTER sites in her early career, but she has focused on research facilitation since 2007. Marty uses she/her pronouns.
downs@nceas.ucsb.edu | 617-833-7930
Nick Lyon, LTER Data Analyst
Nick Lyon supports synthesis groups to make more rapid progress on challenging analytical tasks, aids in the curation and archiving of derived datasets, and helps groups to script their analyses in a way that is documented and repeatable. As a data analyst, Nick builds on tools they learned analyzing data for their Master’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Iowa State University and continued to refine while working with the Herbivory Variability Network and as a data science consultant.
Casey O’Hara, LTER Data Analyst
Casey is a project scientist studying climate-driven species range shifts and cumulative human impacts on marine biodiversity. His work examines the intersection of anthropogenic stressors with the ranges of species affected by those stressors to understand spatial patterns of human impact, to help inform effective marine conservation. As a data scientist, Casey strives to incorporate best practices of reproducibility and open science in his research. He also enjoys working with students to help them develop their own data science skills, formally as a lecturer and informally through workshops and lecturing.
Casey earned his MESM and PhD in environmental science and management at UC Santa Barbara, and a BS and MS in mechanical engineering at Stanford.
Nicole Greco, LTER Communications
Nicole supports the LNO and Arctic projects at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, focusing on science communication, community involvement, and data science trainings. Nicole earned her B.S. in geology from James Madison University and her PhD in geology at the University of Florida where her research focused on glacial sedimentology and she found her passion for science communication, polar sciences, and the inclusion of women in STEM.
NCEAS Staff
Applicants and participants in LTER working groups, distributed graduate seminars, and other activities will engage with several NCEAS staff members who also support the LTER Network Office:
Marlaina Lascano, Meetings and Events Coordinator
Marlaina coordinates meetings, travel, and hotels for the LTER Network Office and NCEAS. She’s your first stop to set up a date for working groups or arrange LNO-funded travel. (Plus, she knows all the best restaurants.)
lascano@nceas.ucsb.edu | 805-893-2500
Thomas Hetmank, Programmer/Analyst
Thomas supports NCEAS and LTER working groups with remote participation, networking many other IT issues. Stop by his office for everything from missing power cords to dropped connections.
hetmank@nceas.ucsb.edu
Michelle Morris, NCEAS Business Officer
As the NCEAS Business Officer, Michelle manages all NCEAS administrative functions. When she’s not wrangling budgets and grants, Michelle is a dedicated outrigger canoe paddler.
morris@nceas.ucsb.edu | 805-893-2500
LTER Network Office Mailing address:
LTER Network Office
NCEAS, University of California Santa Barbara
1021 Anacapa Street, 3rd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
