This interview is with Truman Young, Research Professor and Professor Emeritus of Plant Sciences. He came to Davis in 1996 and retired in 2020.

Initially focusing on plant population and evolutionary ecology, for the past 35 years his research has emphasized the ecology, management, and restoration of human-dominated ecosystems in Kenya and the western United States.  Truman came to UC Davis in 1996 as a trailing spouse, and found a home in Plant Sciences, doing research centered on ecological restoration and savanna rangeland ecology, and teaching a variety of lecture and field courses. He has mentored 34 American graduate students and 18 Kenyan graduate students. Although he officially retired in 2020, he continues his NSF-funded research in Kenya. His two main research projects have been the Kenya Long-term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE) and Priority and Year Effects in Restoration (PRYER).   He now lives in the mountains of his home-state of Colorado, while maintaining an office in Plant Sciences.

He is interviewed by his friend and colleague, Maureen Stanton, Professor Emerita of Evolution and Ecology and Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Emerita.