Dan Hong

Written By Drew Martin

Dan is an ICTAS Doctoral Scholar at Virginia Tech. The Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) supports interdisciplinary research and promotes diverse educational, research, and experiential backgrounds across campus.

Dan Hong is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation (FREC) at Virginia Tech. His research examines the long-term legacy effects of phosphorus fertilization in loblolly pine plantations across the southeastern United States, with a focus on how carryover phosphorus and soil properties influence nutrient resorption, litter decomposition, and soil microbial processes. His work aims to advance understanding of nutrient cycling and inform sustainable forest management.

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Dan earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from Trinity College and an M.S. in Environmental Monitoring from SUNY-ESF, where he studied nitrogen and phosphorus limitations in northern hardwood forests. Prior to his Ph.D., he worked as a research specialist at the University of Illinois, gaining experience in both field and laboratory studies of ecosystem processes.

Beyond research, Dan is actively involved in graduate student leadership and advocacy. He served as co-president of the FREC Graduate Student Association, where he launched a professional development grant program, and helped revitalize the Queer Grads, Professionals, and Allies group to foster a more inclusive community. He currently serves as a senator for the Graduate and Professional Student Senate and as a member of the Commission on Graduate and Professional Student Affairs. Dan is also passionate about teaching and mentorship. He designed and taught a graduate course, Scientific Writing in Natural Resources and Environment, and has mentored undergraduate researchers through Virginia Tech’s Global Change Center.

Dan collecting foliage samples using a pole pruner as part of his foliar resorption study, which examines how trees conserve and recycle nutrients internally.

His long-term goal is to become a professor in environmental science, forest ecology, and soil biogeochemistry. His work has been recognized through multiple awards, including the 2026 CNRE Principles of Community Award, the Robert J. Luxmoore Graduate Student Travel Award, the Veralto Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Excellence in STEM, and First Place in the Diversity Student Poster Contest at the CANVAS 2025 conference.

Publications:

  • Zukswert, J.M., T.J. Fahey, M.A. Vadeboncoeur, D.S. Hong, and R.D. Yanai. (2025). Changes in foliar chemistry and nutrient resorption in northern hardwood forests in response to long-term experimental nitrogen and phosphorus addition. Oikos, e10867. https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.10867

  • Beasley, C., D.R. Carter, T.J. Albaugh, D. Enemo, D.S. Hong, R. Cook, O. Campoe, and R. Rubilar. (2024). Growth trends of loblolly pine age five or less in relation to soil type and management intensity. Forest Ecology and Management, 574, 122355. https://doi.org10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122355

  • Hong, S.D., K.E. Gonzales, T.J. Fahey and R.D. Yanai. (2022). Foliar nutrient concentrations of six northern hardwood species responded to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization but did not predict tree growth. PeerJ 10:e13193. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13193

  • Yanai, R.D., T.A. Mann, S.D. Hong, G. Pu, and J.M. Zukswert. (2021). The current state of uncertainty reporting in ecosystem studies: a systematic evaluation of peer-reviewed literature. Ecosphere 12(6), e03535. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3535

Drew Martin
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