Working on Fire, Conservation, Land Management, and life in the American West.

I am NOT taking new graduate students for Fall 2025. Please check back for future opportunities.

Crystal A. Kolden
[email protected]

Welcome to my website! I am an Associate Professor in the Management of Complex Systems department, School of Engineering, at the University of California, Merced. 

My research focuses on characterizing and understanding wildfire intersections with the human-environment system through geospatial, temporal, and mixed-methods approaches.

Click on the links above find out more about what I do! Prospective students who are interested in working with me should click on the Contacting Me page for information on my lab and opportunities. 



Professional Preparation
Ph.D., Geography, Clark University, Worcester, MA, 2010
M.S., Geography, University of Nevada, Reno, 2005
A.B. cum laude, History, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1999

Appointments
2024 - present         Director, UC Merced Fire Resilience Center
​2020 - present         Associate Professor, Management of Complex Systems, UC Merced
2017 to 2020           Associate Professor of Forest, Rangeland, and Fire Sciences, University of Idaho
2011 to 2016           Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Idaho
2010 to 2011           Research Faculty, University of Idaho
2007 to 2010           Landscape Ecologist, US Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK
2004 to 2012           Associate Research Scientist, Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV
2003 to 2006           Fire Ecologist, USDA Forest Service, Washington Office

My full CV is available by clicking here

My Google scholar profile is here

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