John Vande Castle, Associate Director for Technology

Coordinates technology planning and implementation for the LTER Network Coordinates LTER technology with the development of the LTER Network Information System Chair of the LTER Technology Committee Member of the LTER Network Information System Advisory Committee Member of the LTER Cyberinfrastructure Core Team for the LTER Planning Grant Co-Chair of the UNM Faculty and Staff Benefits Committee Member of the UNM Research Policy Committee Phone: 505 277 2634 Fax: 505 277 2541 Email: jvc@lternet.edu

John's position as Associate Director of the LTER Network Office for Technology Development covers a wide range of activities. With a background and experience in both aquatic and terrestrial ecology, and computer science, John focuses his expertise on technology development and coordination for the LTER Network. His responsibilities include working with GIS and remote sensing data for the Network, but also working with LTER sites using new technologies of many types for ecological research. John also works extensively with programs outside the LTER Network in related collaborative research efforts to link with research efforts of the LTER program and the LTER Network sites.

After his Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation Biology focusing on terrestrial ecology at the University of Wisconsin, John obtained a Master of Science in Zoology and studied seasonal growth patterns of phytoplankton in Lake Michigan. His doctorate in Biology and Computer Science focused on long-term and spatial patterns of nutrient and phytoplankton in Lake Michigan using automated ship-board data acquisition systems. He then used his skills in computer science, statistics and programming in a post-doctorate in remote sensing and Geographic Information System technology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There he worked to integrate (then) new forms of remote sensing with ecological studies. He moved to the University of Washington in Seattle as a research assistant professor in the Department of Forestry. While there he joined the LTER Network Office as Network Manager for the LTER program, focusing primarily on GIS, remote sensing, computer infrastructure and networking. His responsibilities included work with international research sites interested in collaborations, information management, and technology development efforts. In 1997, John moved with the LTER Network Office to the University of New Mexico, where he also works as Executive Director for the Center for Rapid Environmental Assessment and Terrain Evaluation (CREATE) and Research Associate Professor in the Biology Department.

Outside of work, John spends much of his time paddling various aquatic craft, including canoe and kayak, hiking, riding road and mountain bikes, or skiing downhill or in the back country of New Mexico.