Shersingh Joseph Tumber-Dávila

LTER Postdoctoral Fellow
Harvard Forest

unearthing the linkages of our rooted world

Ecology | Education | Engagement

I believe that scientists
have a responsibility to give a voice
to the things that are unseen and
under-represented.

Gave the Harvard Forest Seminar

spotlight // October 27, 2021

Was invited to give the Harvard Forest Seminar on my previous research. To see who else will be giving a talk, check-out the seminar website.

Starting LTER Postdoc
Harvard Forest, Harvard University

spotlight // September 1, 2021

On July 27th, I successfully defended my Ph.D. at Stanford University in front of family, friends, colleagues and a panel filled with some of the scientists that have molded my journey. A sincere thank you to my committee members: Dr. Rob Jackson, Dr. H. Jochen Schenk, Dr. Alexandra Konings, Dr. Scott Fendorf, and Dr. Kabir Peay.

If you want to learn about my graduate research, check-out the video below:

I'm Officially a PHD

spotlight // August 27, 2021

To whom it may concern:
This letter is to certify that Shersingh Tumber-Davila has completed the University requirements for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environment Earth System Science (PhD).

Defended my Ph.D.
Environmental Earth System ScienCE

spotlight // juLY 27, 2021

About Me

MY Path to stanford Earth

I was born and raised on the southeastern corner of Puerto Rico to Puerto Rican and Indian parents. I lived in Puerto Rico until my late childhood, where on the weekends my father would take my family to explore the natural wonders of Borinquen. This includes El Yunque tropical rainforest, the caves at Camuy, bioluminescent bays, and the beaches of Vieques and Culebra. During my childhood, both my parents were educators, while most of my extended family worked in agriculture. My heritage has strengthened my bond with nature, and informed the trajectory of my academic career thus far.
During my late childhood my family moved to New England, where I graduated from Leominster High School, and later attended the University of New Hampshire. While in New England, I had the opportunity to explore different realms of the natural world, including the beauty of the White Mountains, and the northern temperate forests.
At the University of New Hampshire I obtained a B.S. in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, with a focus in Forest Ecology, and a Forestry Minor. While at UNH, I was heavily involved in diversity initiatives and research throughout all four years, where I developed a passion for terrestrial ecology and the career aspiration of becoming a professor.
This led me to Stanford University, where I am currently in the Environmental Earth System Science Ph.D. program, studying plant root systems.

recipient of certificate for outstanding achievement in mentoring

spotlight // june 8, 2018

Dean Stephan A. Graham:
"Dear Shersingh,
We are very pleased to present you with a Certificate of Achievement in Mentoring in the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences...
We were thrilled with the broad range of experiences represented in the applicant pool—as a group, you have mentored high school students in the lab, undergraduate students in research and in courses, graduate students in your research groups, peers in your program, and others in your field areas or the community. Your efforts have had enormous impact, as we saw in the enthusiastic letters from your mentees and advisors... Your thoughtful reflections will serve as an excellent guide for others who are considering embarking on a sustained mentoring relationship...You will receive an award provided by the generous support of the Chris MacAskill fund. Chris is a graduate of the School (M.S. 1985, Geophysics) who is particularly interested in collaborative educational efforts. Your mentoring role is a great example of what he wishes to honor.
Thank you again for all the great and inspirational work you have done for our School."

My Roots

Growing up in Puerto Rico,
I liked two things:
1. Nature
2. Riding in big trucks
This led to my early career aspiration of becoming a forest firefighter. Although my trajectory has shifted, my passion for understanding the natural world still drives me!