Sandra Rideout-Hanzak received her PhD in Forestry from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2001. Sandra then began a post-doc position as a research forester with the USDA Forest Service at their Southern Research Station in Athens, GA and later Clemson, SC. In 2005 Sandra joined the faculty at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. She was appointed to the faculty at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2010 where she is currently Associate Professor and Research Scientist in the Department of Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences and Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, respectively.
Education
B.A. in Health & Safety Education, Latin minor, Ball State University – 1987
M.S.F. in Forestry, Stephen F. Austin State University – 1997
Ph.D. in Forestry, Stephen F. Austin State University – 2001
Research Interests
As a researcher Sandra is exploring season of burning effects on coastal Gulf cordgrass community composition, production, and nutritional value, as well as usage by butterflies and wildlife. She also researches fire effects on invasive plants such as Old World bluestems and tanglehead. Past project have explored such topics as effects of the East Amarillo Complex wildfires of 2006 on vegetation and bird communities, restoration of endangered slender-rushpea habitat, fire and water relations in hedgehog cacti varieties, and fire effects in southern pine, Piedmont, and Appalachian ecosystems.
Outreach and Community Service
Sandra serves on the Interim Steering Committee for the Prescribed Fire Council of Texas. She is a founding member of the Association for Fire Ecology where she served as Vice President of the board.
Teaching Appointments
Introduction to Wildlife Professions - Undergraduate Level
Rangeland Improvements – Undergraduate Level
Methods in Rangeland Ecology – Undergraduate Level
Fire Ecology – Graduate Level
Prescribed Fire – Undergraduate and Graduate Levels
Restoration Ecology – Graduate Level