2024-25 National SAFE OFFICERS
The officers below lead the student association for fire ecology, with terms from May 1, 2024 to May 1, 2025.
PRESIDENT: Andrew Johnson, University of California, Berkeley
I'm a fourth year PhD Student at the University of California, Berkeley in
the Stephens Lab where I research the human dimensions of fire management.
For research, I'm generally interested in the interactions of various stakeholders with fire and fuels management and my dissertation is on how fire managers make decisions around fuel treatments. In the past, I worked for various land management agencies as a seasonal firefighter and attended Virginia Tech where I earned a BS in Forestry. In my free time I enjoy learning about history and all things outdoors, especially trail running.
VICE PRESIDENT: Bushra Sanira Asif, University of Genova, Italy
Sanira is a graduate student at the University of Genova, specializing in Forestry with a focus on wildfire risk analytics. Growing up in a region frequently affected by natural disasters, Sanira developed a deep-seated interest in understanding and managing the unpredictable nature of fires and their impact on ecosystems. This personal experience has driven her to explore innovative solutions to mitigate the financial and ecological consequences of wildfires in Europe.
At the University of Genova, Sanira actively applies her research to foster better forest management practices. Her work integrates advanced spatial analytics and economic models to enhance the accuracy of financial loss predictions related to wildfires, aiming to provide actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.
As the vice president of SAFE, Sanira is committed to connecting with other students and professionals to share knowledge and collaborate on developing comprehensive wildfire management strategies. She is passionate about using her skills to contribute to a global understanding of fire ecology, promoting sustainable practices that can significantly reduce the impact of fires on communities and landscapes.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION OFFICER: Arielle Bennet, University of Idaho
Arielle Bennet is a freshman at the University of Idaho studying Fire Ecology and Management with a GIS certificate. She grew up in Central California and experiencing first-hand the effects of wildfires inspired her to study wildland firefighting. Throughout high school she volunteered with her local fire department and is now an advisor for their youth programs. She has participated in undergraduate research studying the effects of wildfires on springs along the Lower Salmon River and is ultimately interested in studying wildland fuel management in coastal forested regions. She is an EMT and Wilderness First Responder and is involved with the county search and rescue and local volunteer fire department.
SECRETARY/TREASURER: Matt behrens, Northern arizona university
As a Master's student at Northern Arizona University, my thesis work delves into investigating the direct (first order) fire effects of pile burning on soils in Alaska's boreal forests. I have several years of experience in various federal agencies and have worked in fire suppression as a wildland firefighter and fire management as a fire effects monitor/biotech. My career trajectory has always been aimed at bridging the worlds of wildland fire and academic research. My passion lies in conducting impactful and applicable science while effectively communicating its implications to agencies, land managers, and communities.
