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Sean Thomas

Professor

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Orcid identifier0000-0002-0686-2483
  • Professor
    John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
  • 416-978-1044 (Work)
  • University of Toronto, Institute of Forestry and Conservation, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON, M5S 3B3, Canada

BIO

Sean Thomas is an internationally recognized expert in tree ecophysiology and forest carbon processes, and in recent years has pioneered the use of biochar in forest restoration applications. Dr. Thomas is one of the most prolific scholars in Canada in the area of forest ecology, with authorship of more than 200 scientific publications in the areas of tree biology, forest carbon dynamics, carbon sequestration, and biochar science. His extensive international work includes participation in global forest plot network initiatives such as the Smithsonian ForestGEO program and forestplots.net, and in ongoing forest monitoring and experimental studies in Canada, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Ecuador, Mauritius and Malaysia.

Media availability: TV, Radio, Print/Online

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Associate Dean, Research
    University of Toronto, Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, Toronto, Canada1 Jul 2022 - present
  • Research Professor
    University of Toronto, Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, Toronto, Canada1999 - present
  • NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Biochar and Ecosystem Restoration
    Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Ottawa, Canada2016 - 2020
  • Canada Research Chair in Forests and Environmental Change
    Government of Canada, Ottawa, Canada2006 - 2012

DEGREES

  • Ph.D
    Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
  • B.A
    Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, United States

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate
    University of Washington, Seattle, United States
  • NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
    Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
  • NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
    Princeton University, Princeton, United States
  • DOE Postdoctoral position
    Harvard University, Cambridge, United States

LANGUAGES

  • French
    Can read, write, speak, understand and peer review
  • German
    Can read, write and speak
  • Malay
    Can read, write, speak and understand
  • Swahili
    Can speak and understand

AVAILABILITY

  • Media enquiries

INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

  • Climate Positive Energy (CPE)
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs@UofT)