Dominique Bachelet Oral History Interview

Originally from Arras, France, Dominique Bachelet came to the US in 1979 to pursue a PhD in botany and plant pathology. Her work on vegetation modeling has taken her from rice paddies in the Philippines to desert ecosystems in the American Southwest. Climate change became an integral component of her research early on and is incorporated into Bachelet’s dynamic vegetation models. She has taught and researched at Oregon State University since 1989.

Bachelet describes her path from a child in Arras to a researcher at OSU. She discusses her family background, studying in France, and her decision to move to the US. Once she arrived in the US, Bachelet describes pursuing research in vegetation modeling and collaborating with researchers around the globe. Other highlights of the interview include her PhD experience at Colorado State University, her work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, watercolor painting, and a broader discussion on climate change.