Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
@aaberhe.com
Scientist, educator, advocate for inclusive excellence in STEM. Former Director of DOE Office of Science.
Soil biogeochemistry | Climate Change |Political Ecology.
aaberhe.com
Soil biogeochemistry | Climate Change |Political Ecology.
aaberhe.com
Pinned
Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
@aaberhe.com
· May 9
New pub in @aguadvances.bsky.social: "A Soil Scientist Goes to Washington: Navigating the Path to National #ScienceLeadership" #STEM
Sharing my journey as DOE Office of Science Director, the challenges faced, and why inclusive excellence in STEM matters now more than ever.
Read: tinyurl.com/ms2nhr4f
Sharing my journey as DOE Office of Science Director, the challenges faced, and why inclusive excellence in STEM matters now more than ever.
Read: tinyurl.com/ms2nhr4f
Honored to be featured in this piece celebrating 30 yrs of the Hellman Fellowship program! This early support was instrumental in setting my lab for success. Grateful to the Hellman family for their vision in supporting junior faculty across the UC. www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/society...
The Society of Hellman Fellows celebrates 30 years of transformative faculty support
The fellowships, made possibly by a $125M endowment from the Hellman family, have provided vital support to more than 2,000 junior faculty, many of whom now lead in their fields.
www.universityofcalifornia.edu
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Honored to be featured in this piece celebrating 30 yrs of the Hellman Fellowship program! This early support was instrumental in setting my lab for success. Grateful to the Hellman family for their vision in supporting junior faculty across the UC. www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/society...
The fervor around college sports in the US will always fascinate me. And, when my child is excitedly rooting for his school's team, I can't help but cheer as they crush the visitors today.
November 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The fervor around college sports in the US will always fascinate me. And, when my child is excitedly rooting for his school's team, I can't help but cheer as they crush the visitors today.
Reposted by Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
How Soil Collection Honors Lynching Victims.
My article on the Soil Collection at the Memorial for Peace & Justice in Montgomery, AL, which honors victims of racial terror, is published in CSA News.
As a soil scientist, I was struck by the profound symbolism when I learned about this collection. www.sciencesocieties.org/publications...
As a soil scientist, I was struck by the profound symbolism when I learned about this collection. www.sciencesocieties.org/publications...
As soil is our witness | Science Societies
In Montgomery, AL, there is a moving exhibit with rows of glass jars lining the walls of the Memorial for Peace and Justice. Each jar contains soil collected from some of the sites where more than 4,4...
www.sciencesocieties.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:28 PM
How Soil Collection Honors Lynching Victims.
Reposted by Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
October 30, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
🧪🍎⚒️ Hey @sacnas.bsky.social
What a fantastic keynote from @aaberhe.com ! She talked about soil science, weathering, and erosion as a metaphor for overcoming challenges.
Every rock has a Story!
youtube.com/@everyrockha...
What a fantastic keynote from @aaberhe.com ! She talked about soil science, weathering, and erosion as a metaphor for overcoming challenges.
Every rock has a Story!
youtube.com/@everyrockha...
October 30, 2025 at 2:36 PM
🧪🍎⚒️ Hey @sacnas.bsky.social
What a fantastic keynote from @aaberhe.com ! She talked about soil science, weathering, and erosion as a metaphor for overcoming challenges.
Every rock has a Story!
youtube.com/@everyrockha...
What a fantastic keynote from @aaberhe.com ! She talked about soil science, weathering, and erosion as a metaphor for overcoming challenges.
Every rock has a Story!
youtube.com/@everyrockha...
this is a relief.
But more advocacy will clearly be needed going forward.
The PPFP is an exemplary program. I’m a proud former President’s postdoc fellow, and always a supporter of this critical program.
But more advocacy will clearly be needed going forward.
The PPFP is an exemplary program. I’m a proud former President’s postdoc fellow, and always a supporter of this critical program.
WE JUST KEEP WINNING. (UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program RESTORED!!!!)
![On official UC letterhead:
UNIVERSITY
OF
CALIFORNIA
James B. Milliken President
Office of the President
1111 Franklin Street Oakland, CA 94607
universityofcalifornia.edu
CAMPUSES Berkeley
Davis
Irvine
UCLA
Merced
Riverside San Diego San Francisco
Santa Barbara Santa Cruz
MEDICAL CENTERS
Davis
Irvine
UCLA
San Diego
San Francisco
NATIONAL LABORATORIES Lawrence Berkeley Lawrence Livermore Los Alamos
DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
November 18, 2025
Dear Chancellors:
I'm writing with regard to the President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP) and the program's associated faculty hiring incentive.
As you know, for more than 40 years, PPFP has provided postdoctoral research fellowships, professional development, and faculty mentoring to scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service advance the academic and research missions of the University of California.
Since 2003, UC campuses that hire current and former PPFP fellows into ladder-rank positions have been eligible for a hiring incentive funded by the University that provides support for newly hired fellows for five years. Since the creation of the incentive, more than $162 million has been invested by the University to support PPFP faculty hires. This commitment has enabled our campuses to successfully recruit and retain outstanding faculty across a range of disciplines.
Given the myriad challenges currently facing UC - including disruptions to billions of dollars in annual federal support, as well as uncertainty around the state budget- reasonable questions were raised in recent months about whether the University could maintain the commitment to current levels of incentive funding. After considering a recommendation to sunset the incentive program due to these significant fiscal constraints, I consulted with all of you as well as faculty and campus academic administrators and systemwide Academic Senate leadership.
[continued on next image]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rzn6yramffebefeitqifiqqz/bafkreigiwq5ongzwpj4wqmgjam3yfvhyjnv5e3dbq6cnrrbwblqvs624gq@jpeg)
November 18, 2025 at 11:08 PM
this is a relief.
But more advocacy will clearly be needed going forward.
The PPFP is an exemplary program. I’m a proud former President’s postdoc fellow, and always a supporter of this critical program.
But more advocacy will clearly be needed going forward.
The PPFP is an exemplary program. I’m a proud former President’s postdoc fellow, and always a supporter of this critical program.
Land degradation remains one of the most serious and persistent global challenges. This deserves to be a global priority for science, policy, and more.
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
FAO report: 1.7 billion people experience lower crop yields due to land degradation
The State of Food and Agriculture 2025 report focuses on land degradation caused by human activities
www.fao.org
November 16, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Land degradation remains one of the most serious and persistent global challenges. This deserves to be a global priority for science, policy, and more.
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
www.fao.org/newsroom/det...
Reposted by Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
Merced and SJV folx, join us for the Sierra Nevada Research Institute's inaugural Distinguished Climate Speaker Series event featuring @michaelemann.bsky.social
@ucmerced.bsky.social
@ucmerced.bsky.social
SNRI presents its Distinguished Climate Speaker Series event: a keynote talk from renowned climate scientist and author, Dr. Michael E. Mann, followed by a presentation by UC Merced climatologist Dr. John Abatzoglou.
Mon, Nov 17, 2–4 PM UC Merced Conference Center
Register: tinyurl.com/yc74v23y
Mon, Nov 17, 2–4 PM UC Merced Conference Center
Register: tinyurl.com/yc74v23y
October 16, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Merced and SJV folx, join us for the Sierra Nevada Research Institute's inaugural Distinguished Climate Speaker Series event featuring @michaelemann.bsky.social
@ucmerced.bsky.social
@ucmerced.bsky.social
Bonus, got to attend a performance at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the historical home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Bonus, got to attend a performance at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the historical home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
#CANVAS2025 (ASA,CSSA, SSSA) at Salt Lake. I love the new format of the opening ceremony & our keynote panel. It was fun to imagine the next 40 years of research undertaken by our scientific societies and how we are doing in preparing the next generation of scholars and thought leaders.
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
#CANVAS2025 (ASA,CSSA, SSSA) at Salt Lake. I love the new format of the opening ceremony & our keynote panel. It was fun to imagine the next 40 years of research undertaken by our scientific societies and how we are doing in preparing the next generation of scholars and thought leaders.
My article on the Soil Collection at the Memorial for Peace & Justice in Montgomery, AL, which honors victims of racial terror, is published in CSA News.
As a soil scientist, I was struck by the profound symbolism when I learned about this collection. www.sciencesocieties.org/publications...
As a soil scientist, I was struck by the profound symbolism when I learned about this collection. www.sciencesocieties.org/publications...
As soil is our witness | Science Societies
In Montgomery, AL, there is a moving exhibit with rows of glass jars lining the walls of the Memorial for Peace and Justice. Each jar contains soil collected from some of the sites where more than 4,4...
www.sciencesocieties.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
My article on the Soil Collection at the Memorial for Peace & Justice in Montgomery, AL, which honors victims of racial terror, is published in CSA News.
As a soil scientist, I was struck by the profound symbolism when I learned about this collection. www.sciencesocieties.org/publications...
As a soil scientist, I was struck by the profound symbolism when I learned about this collection. www.sciencesocieties.org/publications...
As always, SACNAS @sacnas.bsky.social continues to be vibrant, brilliant, and healing. I’m so grateful for all the love showered on me yesterday.
October 31, 2025 at 6:09 PM
As always, SACNAS @sacnas.bsky.social continues to be vibrant, brilliant, and healing. I’m so grateful for all the love showered on me yesterday.
Merced and SJV folx, join us for the Sierra Nevada Research Institute's inaugural Distinguished Climate Speaker Series event featuring @michaelemann.bsky.social
@ucmerced.bsky.social
@ucmerced.bsky.social
SNRI presents its Distinguished Climate Speaker Series event: a keynote talk from renowned climate scientist and author, Dr. Michael E. Mann, followed by a presentation by UC Merced climatologist Dr. John Abatzoglou.
Mon, Nov 17, 2–4 PM UC Merced Conference Center
Register: tinyurl.com/yc74v23y
Mon, Nov 17, 2–4 PM UC Merced Conference Center
Register: tinyurl.com/yc74v23y
October 16, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Merced and SJV folx, join us for the Sierra Nevada Research Institute's inaugural Distinguished Climate Speaker Series event featuring @michaelemann.bsky.social
@ucmerced.bsky.social
@ucmerced.bsky.social
Energized and hopeful after attending the annual meeting of the @uc-ppfp.bsky.social with a new fellow in our department & my wonderful @ucmerced.bsky.social colleagues.
September 20, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Energized and hopeful after attending the annual meeting of the @uc-ppfp.bsky.social with a new fellow in our department & my wonderful @ucmerced.bsky.social colleagues.
The application is now open for the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. If you are interested in applying for this fellowship to work with me, do reach out and visit the How to Apply section for key dates and application requirements. see lnkd.in/gKafRtku
September 12, 2025 at 4:25 AM
The application is now open for the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. If you are interested in applying for this fellowship to work with me, do reach out and visit the How to Apply section for key dates and application requirements. see lnkd.in/gKafRtku
First day of teaching!
Excited to be teaching a graduate-level soil organic matter dynamics class—the largest grad class I've taught to date! Students are eager to learn all about soil, carbon, and more. I'm always so excited to teach this class.
Excited to be teaching a graduate-level soil organic matter dynamics class—the largest grad class I've taught to date! Students are eager to learn all about soil, carbon, and more. I'm always so excited to teach this class.
August 27, 2025 at 3:55 PM
First day of teaching!
Excited to be teaching a graduate-level soil organic matter dynamics class—the largest grad class I've taught to date! Students are eager to learn all about soil, carbon, and more. I'm always so excited to teach this class.
Excited to be teaching a graduate-level soil organic matter dynamics class—the largest grad class I've taught to date! Students are eager to learn all about soil, carbon, and more. I'm always so excited to teach this class.
It was a pleasure to visit @woodwellclimate.bsky.social and engage in many wonderful conversations.
Many thanks to Taniya RoyChowdhury for the invitation.
Many thanks to Taniya RoyChowdhury for the invitation.
August 26, 2025 at 5:22 PM
It was a pleasure to visit @woodwellclimate.bsky.social and engage in many wonderful conversations.
Many thanks to Taniya RoyChowdhury for the invitation.
Many thanks to Taniya RoyChowdhury for the invitation.
Reposted by Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
It was a pleasure to meet Dr. Asmeret Berhe @aaberhe.com (former Director of the Office of Science at the Department of Energy) during her visit to @woodwellclimate.bsky.social today.
Excellent talk on soil carbon/precipitation shifts, and smart perspective on the future of federal climate science
Excellent talk on soil carbon/precipitation shifts, and smart perspective on the future of federal climate science
August 25, 2025 at 10:16 PM
It was a pleasure to meet Dr. Asmeret Berhe @aaberhe.com (former Director of the Office of Science at the Department of Energy) during her visit to @woodwellclimate.bsky.social today.
Excellent talk on soil carbon/precipitation shifts, and smart perspective on the future of federal climate science
Excellent talk on soil carbon/precipitation shifts, and smart perspective on the future of federal climate science
Reposted by Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
Thank you @aaberhe.com for visiting @woodwellclimate.bsky.social and the Climate Justice seminar today and sharing your science and insights! Such a gift to be in conversation with you again, and thanks for modeling scholarship and leadership rooted in community, inclusion, diversity, and curiosity.
August 26, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Thank you @aaberhe.com for visiting @woodwellclimate.bsky.social and the Climate Justice seminar today and sharing your science and insights! Such a gift to be in conversation with you again, and thanks for modeling scholarship and leadership rooted in community, inclusion, diversity, and curiosity.
This is an irresponsible take on a v. complex issue.
Landmines are responsible for deaths of countless animals, they cause serious land degradation, chem pollution, physical disruption, and impede sustainable development.
Keeping people away is not the only thing that matters 4 nature conservation.
Landmines are responsible for deaths of countless animals, they cause serious land degradation, chem pollution, physical disruption, and impede sustainable development.
Keeping people away is not the only thing that matters 4 nature conservation.
‘Landmines have become the greatest protectors’: how wildlife is thriving in the Korean DMZ
The demilitarised zone between North and South Korea has become an ecological oasis with nearly 6,000 species documented, including rare cranes, deer and bears
www.theguardian.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
This is an irresponsible take on a v. complex issue.
Landmines are responsible for deaths of countless animals, they cause serious land degradation, chem pollution, physical disruption, and impede sustainable development.
Keeping people away is not the only thing that matters 4 nature conservation.
Landmines are responsible for deaths of countless animals, they cause serious land degradation, chem pollution, physical disruption, and impede sustainable development.
Keeping people away is not the only thing that matters 4 nature conservation.
New pub from Leila Wahab's dissertation🌟
Results from a 20-year precipitation manipulation experiment show deep SOC responds to climate change!
3m deep sampling revealed C translocation to depth, highlighting the need to dig deeper to understand grassland carbon cycling 1/2 doi.org/10.5194/bg-2...
Results from a 20-year precipitation manipulation experiment show deep SOC responds to climate change!
3m deep sampling revealed C translocation to depth, highlighting the need to dig deeper to understand grassland carbon cycling 1/2 doi.org/10.5194/bg-2...
Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in subsoils after 20 years of added precipitation in a Mediterranean grassland
Abstract. Precipitation is a major driver of ecosystem change and the physiochemical characteristics of soil. Under different climate change scenarios, increased drought frequency and changing precipi...
doi.org
August 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
New pub from Leila Wahab's dissertation🌟
Results from a 20-year precipitation manipulation experiment show deep SOC responds to climate change!
3m deep sampling revealed C translocation to depth, highlighting the need to dig deeper to understand grassland carbon cycling 1/2 doi.org/10.5194/bg-2...
Results from a 20-year precipitation manipulation experiment show deep SOC responds to climate change!
3m deep sampling revealed C translocation to depth, highlighting the need to dig deeper to understand grassland carbon cycling 1/2 doi.org/10.5194/bg-2...
Reposted by Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
At #NDiSTEM2025, our daily plenaries spark connection, reflection, and vision. 🌟 Hear from the voices shaping #STEM: Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, PhD, Donna Maria Blancero, PhD, & Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio. Don’t miss it. Learn more: s6.goeshow.com/sacnas/ndsc/... @aaberhe.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:21 PM
At #NDiSTEM2025, our daily plenaries spark connection, reflection, and vision. 🌟 Hear from the voices shaping #STEM: Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, PhD, Donna Maria Blancero, PhD, & Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio. Don’t miss it. Learn more: s6.goeshow.com/sacnas/ndsc/... @aaberhe.com
Reposted by Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
It’s hard to post about papers these days but I’ll try. Better slow than never. Here’s a blog post about our recently published paper. communities.springernature.com/posts/gettin...
August 13, 2025 at 1:39 AM
It’s hard to post about papers these days but I’ll try. Better slow than never. Here’s a blog post about our recently published paper. communities.springernature.com/posts/gettin...
👇🏽!
"PhD-level experts in your back pocket" is a completely nonsensical description of AI but a pretty good description of social media if you follow the right people
August 9, 2025 at 11:28 PM
👇🏽!
🎓 Congratulations to our newly minted PhD, Dr. Melinda Gonzales!
Special thanks to @beccaryals.bsky.social for stepping in to advise Melinda during my extended leave and continuing as a wonderful mentor and co-advisor.
Grateful also to our awesome committee members for their guidance and support.
Special thanks to @beccaryals.bsky.social for stepping in to advise Melinda during my extended leave and continuing as a wonderful mentor and co-advisor.
Grateful also to our awesome committee members for their guidance and support.
August 8, 2025 at 9:58 PM
🎓 Congratulations to our newly minted PhD, Dr. Melinda Gonzales!
Special thanks to @beccaryals.bsky.social for stepping in to advise Melinda during my extended leave and continuing as a wonderful mentor and co-advisor.
Grateful also to our awesome committee members for their guidance and support.
Special thanks to @beccaryals.bsky.social for stepping in to advise Melinda during my extended leave and continuing as a wonderful mentor and co-advisor.
Grateful also to our awesome committee members for their guidance and support.