Alabama A&M’s Fatunsin Wins 2025 ASB Student Research Award

Olufemi E. Fatunsin, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences received the prestigious 2025 Student Research Award from the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) for his groundbreaking research on the role of forest structure in carbon storage within longleaf pine ecosystems – an important finding in the field of climate-resilient land management. 

Presented during the ASB Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the competitive award celebrates graduate research that demonstrates scientific originality, methodological rigor, and significant contribution to biology. Fatunsin’s winning study, “Disentangling the Contributions of Ecological Conditions to Biomass in Longleaf Pine Forests,” was published in the journal Forest Ecology and Management and selected from submissions across the Southeast. 

The study uses advanced biostatistical modeling to show that forest structural diversity – the physical arrangement of trees – is a stronger predictor of aboveground biomass (AGB) than species diversity. It also highlights how environmental factors like temperature, slope, and soil fertility indirectly affect carbon storage. These findings provide a science-based framework for conserving biodiversity while boosting carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems under pressure from climate change. 

“This recognition underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing environmental changes and biodiversity loss,” said Fatunsin. “It also reflects the collaborative efforts of my mentors and colleagues. I hope it inspires further innovation in sustainable forest management.” 

Originally from Ilawe-Ekiti, Nigeria, Fatunsin brings a strong international academic foundation to his work. He holds a B.Agr. in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Ekiti State University, an M.S. in Biology from the University of Alabama, and a Master’s in Forest Economics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His research at Alabama A&M focuses on how forest diversity and ecological conditions affect the health and resilience of Southeastern U.S. forests. 

In addition to the ASB award, Fatunsin was recently named a recipient of the 2025 Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award from the Ecological Society of America (ESA). That national honor recognizes emerging leaders in ecological science who are committed to bridging the gap between science and public policy. 

The ASB Student Research Award includes a $1,000 grant sponsored by Martin Microscopes. Fatunsin is set to graduate in May 2027 with a Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Science and plans to pursue a faculty position in teaching and research. 

“My passion for teaching and research is rooted in the belief that science flourishes when discovery is paired with sharing, as seen in my interdisciplinary work on longleaf pine forests,” said Fatunsin. “This award affirms the importance of blending rigorous research with mentorship to inspire future generations.”