IAWF Furthers Fire Science Studies through Scholarships

             

Two advanced-degree students recently received scholarships for 2011 from the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF). Alexis Lewis, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, and Victoria Pantoja-Campa, a master's student in the Division de Ciencias Forestales at Universidad Autonoma Chapingo, Texcoco, Mexico State, Mexico, were selected for their dedication to furthering fire science in disparate programs important to wildland firefighters globally.

Alexis' research revolves around ways to improve human performance through leadership and decision-making in wildland fire through mindfulness and self-compassion interventions. She has worked closely with fire managers and personnel in developing appropriate and effective strategies for implementation. Alexis fought wildland fires for eight seasons throughout the western United States.

Victoria has concentrated on planning and implementation of integrated fire management in Mexico, Central America and South America. In 2006, she studied under a scholarship at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain. Victoria's professional career includes serving as the regional coordinator for fire management in southeastern Mexico with the Fondo Mexicano para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza, A.C., and the Nature Conservancy. She also served as fire ecologist for Latin America with The Global Fire Team of Nature Conservancy; has conducted research for Pronaturaleza, Peru; and conducted analytical mapping of wildfires in the Maya Forest region with the CATIE (Research and Higher Education Center) — BID (Inter-American Development Bank).

The IAWF awards scholarships for advanced studies related to wildland fire management each spring. “Promoting education and sharing wildland fire research is a core objective for the IAWF,” says Chuck Bushey, IAWF president, and “We're pleased to include studies that span the American continents.” More information on the scholarships and past recipients is available at www.iawfonline.org/scholarships.php.