iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 11h

Applications are now open for the UC President's Postdoc Fellowship Reach out if you want to submit an applicaiton focused on environmental/soil sciences, biogeochemistry, climate change, & related areas As a former fellow, this is a program I highly recommend 4 ECRs interested in academic careers

screenshot of the call for applications for the UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship program

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 23/09/2026

✨New Account👇🏽, follow us✨ Last week, we announced establishment of the UC Merced Earth Institute on the storied foundations of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute & merger w/ the Climate Institute I am honored to lead this next great chapter of Earth & Environmental Sci & Eng research on our campus

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New Phytologist @newphyt.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

In #Profile: @aaberhe.com 👇 📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... #LatestIssue #PlantScience

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 03/09/2026

A soil science Ig Nobel award for a study on what happens when u bury 1k pairs of underwear for 2months to determine biological activity in soil. A 25 nation citizen science study by Bender & van der Heijden from U Zurich #SoilScience #Biogeochemistry #Decomposition www.nature.com/articles/d41...

nature.com

Buried underpants and a new definition of kissing win 2026 Ig Nobel prizes

The awards highlight weird, funny and improbable research that also makes you think.

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Teamrat @teamrat.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

The model is also available as an interactive cloud application, allowing you to predict water retention for one soil or hundreds at a time. soil-habit.streamlit.app #Soil #SoilPhysics #SoilHabit #MachineLearning #PedotransferFunctions

soil-habit.streamlit.app

HABIT — Soil Water Retention

Interactive web app for (Hierarchical Attention-Based Inference with Transfer Learning), a pre-t...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 03/09/2026

I might be biased a bit, but this is a really neat paper. An elegant quantitative evidence of how a given soil's water retention behavior emerges from texture & structure together, not from texture as a base that structure simply modifies. HABIT outperforms Rosetta for predicting water retention.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 23/07/2026

Hong Wong today became the third woman to win a Fields Medal. She started out as an earth science major. Her geophysics prof affirmed importance of math to science for her, ex. for explaining how seismic waves are used to map Earth’s interior ... math related to the Kakeya problem.

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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 02/07/2026

Did you know? Renewables have just overtaken coal as the world's largest source of electricity 34% – global renewable share, up 2x in 20yrs 48% – EU 37% – China 26% – US 24% – India

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yperezrojas.bsky.social @yperezrojas.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Is using average soil moisture and temperature a "good" proxy for soil respiration? Not always. The relationship depends on depth, climate, and how strongly soil moisture and temperature are coupled with respiration processes. Excited to see my dissertation work getting published 🤗

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 17/06/2026

War's environmental damage rarely makes headlines, but it should. The damage to natural ecosystems is real and long lasting. I spoke with Newsweek about the often-overlooked ecological toll of conflict that has been a focus of my research for over 25 years. www.newsweek.com/ecological-t...

newsweek.com

The Silent Casualty of War: Conflict's Hidden Environmental Toll

Ecological damage from war can be vast and enduring, experts say, yet it continues—despite international legal protections.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 15/06/2026

I'm one of the voices in a new documentary, Groundswell, about soil & the value of regenerative practices in maintaining & restoring soil health Groundswell is from the team behind Kiss the Ground & Common Ground. It's narrated by Demi Moore & Woody Harrelson (check out my favorite soil necklace 😊 )

the coverpage of the documentary Groundswell.

AA Berhe being interviewed in the documentary

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 14/06/2026

Joy is contagious! So happy for everyone in NYC … concrete jungle where dreams are made of. There's nothin' you can't do #Knicksin5 #history #NBAfinals

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 03/06/2026

Came work with me at the emerging UC Merced Earth Institute. We have two open positions for a: 1) Grant Writer aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02181 2) Communications and Outreach Coordinator aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02180 Please share with your networks, and reach out if u have questions I can answer.

image of the beginings statue at UC Merced.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 29/05/2026

Interesting that two private universities in N. CA (Santa Clara Uni & Uni of the Pacific) have recently announced they are opening med schools. Meanwhile, Uni of California system and the State of California are still planning for the next medical school that is supposedly coming to UC Merced. 🤔🤔

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Joe Mason @moreorloess.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

The moisture regime of buried soils can change through both climate change and erosional exposure. Latest from a project by a great team including @aaberhe.com, @emsaurios.bsky.social, @teamrat.bsky.social and many others. Glad to see my old friend the Brady Soil get so much well-deserved attention.

Joe Mason pointing to an exposure of the buried Brady Soil in a roadcut. There is a measuring tape hanging across the thick, dark Brady Soil A horizon and there are holes made by sampling in it.

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Teamrat @teamrat.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Teneille Nel’s presenting at EGU results from the collaborative work of Manisha Dolui @moreorloess.bsky.social @emsaurios.bsky.social @aaberhe.com and many others. Here is the paper fresh off the press: soil.copernicus.org/articles/12/...

A person standing next to title slide of a presentation.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 29/04/2026

This has been a heavy week all around. I want to take a moment to remember two dynamic colleagues we suddently lost from our academic community in the last few days. They were both doing important work and meant a lot to their respective communities. May their souls rest in eternal peace.

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The Onion @theonion.com · 25/04/2026

Report: Every Place On Earth Has Wrong Amount Of Water theonion.com/report-every-place-on-…

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 23/04/2026

Yay👩🏽‍🔬🎤🧪🎉! Congratulations to @ucmerced.bsky.social graduate student Tahirah Williams, who took home the first-place Slammy trophy at University of California systemwide Grad Slam AND won the People’s Choice award! Go Bobcats! @ucmgraddiv.bsky.social @uofcalifornia.bsky.social #scicomm

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 09/04/2026

So wonderful to see the innovative design that includes composting toilet and preservation of pieces from the historic barn that was on the land before the UC Merced campus was built.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 09/04/2026

Congraulations to my LES dept colleagues Jessica Blois & Jason Sexton (past & current Faculty Directors of UC Merced Natural Reserve System) and team on the official opening of the Field Education and Research Center at the Merced Vernal Pools & Grassland Reserve today ucnature.org/reserves/mer...

Department of LIfe and Environmental Sciences faculty at the the new UC Merced Field Research and Education Center, located in the The Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve

Opening celebration of the new UC Merced Field Research and Education Center, in the The Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 26/03/2026

Wait, I know a person in this list! 🎉 Truly honored to be included among such an incredible group.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 10/03/2026

This past weekend, I had the honor of keynoting an event hosted by CSU Channel Islands, Oxnard College, & ACS CA Los Padres section. A student asked what I'd say 2 some1 excited about higher ed, but is horrified by today's political climate. It's an important question that deserves a serious answer.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 17/02/2026

May your soul rest in eternal peace and power, Rev. Jesse Jackson. I had the honor of meeting him my first week in DC, as I started my DOE appointment. He couldn't have been kinder. That moment served as an incredible motivator as I began my journey in government. A giant, in every sense.

A pictures of Asmeret with the Rev Jesse Jackson

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 10/02/2026

Please help us spread the word about this great opportunity for a scholar with a strong publication, and funding record related to climate and environmental research; and excellent written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02050

aprecruit.ucmerced.edu

Assistant Project Scientist

University of California, Merced is hiring. Apply now!

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 07/02/2026

I just returned from Dakar where I co-chaired the NASEM US-Africa Frontiers in Science, Engineering, & Medicine symposium tinyurl.com/ybdjn22m. It was an extraordinary gathering of leading scholars from across Africa & US discussing timely research. Truly one of the highlights of my career!

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New Phytologist @newphyt.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

#TansleyReview: #Soil organic matter dynamics under changing #precipitation regimes @aaberhe.com et al. 👇 📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... #LatestIssue @teamrat.bsky.social

Fig. 2 Individual and interactive impacts of soil physicochemistry, microbes, fauna, and plants on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 01/02/2026

New paper on role of polyvalent cations in buried soil C stabilization led by my former lab group members Manisha and Teneille, working with the best collaborators.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 30/01/2026

Attending today's California's First Nature Based Solutions Summit, it was so lovely to meet our @ucmerced.bsky.social @snriucmerced.bsky.social alumni who now hold key positions across the state.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 30/01/2026

A lot going on in the world these days. It is an incredible privilage to live & work in our state where today CNRA, CARB and CDFA hosted California's First Nature Based Solutions Summit. It was an honor to be invited to speak along with many folx I admire. So much soil love throughout the day 🤎!

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 29/01/2026

It was so lovely to meet you in person @christinatoms.bsky.social. Sci-twitter connections are the best!

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New Phytologist @newphyt.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

✨ Paper spotlight ✨ (🧵 1/6) Soil organic matter dynamics under changing precipitation regimes nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... @teamrat.bsky.social @aaberhe.com

Fig. 1 Research history of soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics at the plant–fauna–microbe interfaces under changing precipitation and soil water availability.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 22/12/2025

🌟✨New paper: Check out our New Phytologist Tansley review on how changing precipitation patterns (changes in amount, intensity, & frequency of ppt already being observed due to climate change) affect soil organic matter dynamics. nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... @ghezzehei.bsky.social

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 21/12/2025

The science breakthrough of 2025 is Solar Energy, not because it is new but because of how successful its deployment has been. This year renewable energy surpassed coal as a source of electricity worldwide. Hopeful sign for what’s to come. www.science.org/content/arti...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 15/12/2025

TFW your professional society, at a conference you've been attending for 20+ years, finally gets your name to appear on the badge correctly. #AGU25

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 08/12/2025

If you are going to be at AGU, you don't want to miss this one. I am so looking forward to Markus' 2025 Reeburgh Lecture.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 08/12/2025

Grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her $38 million gift ... the largest in UC Merced's history, surpassing even her own record-setting donation to our campus in 2021. She continues to be one of the few doing billionairing right. news.ucmerced.edu/news/2025/uc...

news.ucmerced.edu

UC Merced Receives Transformational $38 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott | Newsroom

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 08/12/2025

If you are going to be at AGU, you don't want to miss this one. I am so looking forward to Markus' 2025 Reeburgh Lecture.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 05/12/2025

Happy world SOIL day all! Soil is life! Soil is beautiful!

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 05/12/2025

Please nominate your self and/or others to review the the United by Nature Assessment (formerly the US National Nature Assessment). Spread the word.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 02/12/2025

On this #GivingTuesday, if you are able, please support local scientists working to address some of the most pressing environmental, climate, and related challenges at the @snriucmerced.bsky.social Make a gift today: lnkd.in/girEEWra Learn more at snri.ucmerced.edu Follow us on social media.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 28/11/2025

Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild: Lion Giraffe Hippopotamus Wildebeest African Elephant

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 25/11/2025

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...

universityofcalifornia.edu

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.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 22/11/2025

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.

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