Traditional funding sources often hesitate to support novel ideas, making early-stage scientific research difficult to fund.
In 2024, a group of donors committed to advancing environmental conservation in the central Appalachians created a transformational solution: the Appalachian Laboratory Investors Network, or TALIN. Founded by Jeff and Kristyn Kuhn Eckel, TALIN fosters innovation at UMCES Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg, Maryland, by providing difficult-to-obtain funding for novel research addressing critical environmental challenges across the region.
According to Jeff, “In a moment when a clear, evidence-based understanding of the world around us is essential, this program is a powerful chance to spark innovative, science-driven work across central Appalachia and help build a healthier, more resilient future for the region.”
Each year, TALIN investors gather to hear project pitches from AL scientists, select proposals to fund, and receive updates on project progress throughout the year.
In its inaugural year, TALIN supported three projects:
- A mobile radar system to study regional bird, bat, and insect movement, led by Dr. Emily Cohen
- A project focused on identifying and propagating naturally occurring genetic adaptations that will increase the resilience of brook trout populations in Appalachia, led by Dr. Zach Zbinden
- An automated biodiversity mapping, monitoring, and threat assessment system for the central Appalachians, led by Dr. Matt Fitzpatrick
All projects are making significant progress thanks to the financial support of TALIN.
“TALIN is accelerating our ability to solve environmental challenges in the Appalachians. We are grateful to the group for their vision and commitment in creating this far-reaching and transformational program that is positively impacting not only AL, but also the environment and people in Appalachia,” said Dr. David Nelson, AL Director.
In 2025, TALIN funded two additional projects focused on forest conservation and management. One initiative, led by Dr. Matt Fitzpatrick, aims to improve the restoration of red spruce, an important high-elevation tree species. Using remote sensing data and deep learning algorithms, the project will produce precise, high-resolution maps enabling forest managers to identify and steward red spruce stands across the region.
The second project will develop a forest landscape and disturbance simulation model for the central Appalachians, led by Dr. Miriam Johnston. Using multiple data streams, including remote sensing data generated through Fitzpatrick’s 2024 project, Johnston’s team will investigate how harvest, drought, wildfires, and other changes may affect forest composition and function at unprecedented resolution.
These 2025 projects not only showcase the leading-edge science taking place at AL, but also advance its mission to train future generations of scientists. Johnston, who earned a master’s degree under Fitzpatrick’s supervision in 2014, returned to AL in 2025 as an Assistant Professor. Their complementary projects demonstrate how TALIN’s support is fueling both scientific discovery and scientific careers.
To learn more about TALIN and how you can support groundbreaking environmental research at AL, visit www.umces.edu/TALIN.
