About us

Board of Directors

Colette Barron, J.D

Greta Boye, M.S..

Ralph Garono, Ph.D.

David Hackleman, Ph.D.

Staff

Ralph Garono, Ph.D., Acting Director

Email: ralph_garono@3sigmainstitute.org
Phone: 541.757.7896

Dr. Ralph Garono is President of Earth Design Consultants, Inc. (Corvallis, OR) where he heads up the Wetland & Watershed Assessment Group. In addition, Dr. Garono holds a faculty (courtesy) appointment in the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University and advises graduate students in the Marine Resource Management Program. He is trained in biochemical limnology (e.g., the role that phosphorus limitation plays in structuring planktonic communities) and in aquatic entomology. His current research interests focus on assessments, at multiple spatial and temporal scales, of aquatic and marine ecosystems. His recent research projects include: the use of aquatic insects as a wetland assessment tool; GIS-based watershed assessments; the use of GIS-based models to evaluate alternative land use scenarios; and, the use of hyperspectral imagery to map landscape patterns in estuarine vegetation.

Affiliated Scientists

Elise Ferrarese is an ecologist with a master's degree in Environmental Science from Oregon State University. She works with Dr. Garono at Earth Design Consultants, conducting research in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. She has over 10 years experience working in the ecological sciences, and her interests include landscape ecology, wildlife biology, ecological restoration, nutrient dynamics, invasive species ecology, and citizen science.

Dr. Shon Schooler is a research scientist at the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). He has conducted research on the ecology and management of invasive organisms for over 17 years with a focus on sustainable management and the reduction of pesticides using integerated managment and biological control. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and given over 50 public presentations on the subject. His goal is to use ecological knowledge, public outreach, and adaptive managment to create self-sustaining control strategies for invasive organisms.   

Alice Yeates is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Queensland, Australia. She has published five peer reviewed journal articles and given over ten public presentations at venues ranging from local community groups to international conferences. She has worked on a diversity of ecological systems over the past 10 years and is interested in integrating theoretical ecology with invasive species management and understanding. Current research focuses on 1) integrating plant community response to invasive species removal into management practices in order to maximize the health of the community as well as the successful removal of the target species and; 2) using biological control to understand the mechanisms behind introduced species success and failure. 

Rebbecca (Becky) Hill is an avid herpetologist and amphibian ecologist, who received a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Oregon State University. She has six years of professional experience working in Pacific Northwest wetland ecosystems, but has been playing in them since she was a kid. Becky specializes in developing monitoring plans, conducting amphibian surveys and consulting with the goal of conserving native amphibian populations. Becky published a biological assessment in 2009 and frequently presents her research at relevant conferences. Her current collaborative research focuses on 1) the mechanisms for successful invasion by American Bullfrogs into the Western U.S. and; 2) assessing amphibian community assemblages in Willamette Mission State Park, OR while monitoring their response to an aquatic habitat restoration project.

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For more information about 3 Sigma Institute, please contact Ralph Garono.
3 Sigma Institute | P.O. Box 2421 | Corvallis, Oregon 97339
Website last modified: September 5, 2003