Ethan Burns is a master’s student in the Geography department at the University of Colorado Boulder and a member of the Ecohydrology Lab at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR). He is broadly interested in understanding how shifting precipitation regimes in the mountain west influence vegetation distribution, resilience, and productivity. His current research aims to understand the interactions between subsurface structure,Ìý deep vadose zone water, and vegetation in snow-dominated montane catchments. Ethan holds a bachelor of science in Geology and a certificate in Watershed Science from the University of the South. Prior to coming to CU Ethan worked for local watershed conservation organizations andÌý taught middle and high school science. Ethan is an avid mountain biker, rock climber and bread baker.