Alanna Lecher

Dr. Alanna Lecher is an Associate Professor of Scientific Literacy and Environmental Science at Lynn University's College of Arts and Sciences in Boca Raton, Florida. She also serves as Assistant Dean and University Research Coordinator, demonstrating her significant administrative responsibilities alongside her teaching and research duties. Dr. Lecher is actively involved in undergraduate research mentorship and has established herself as a leader in interdisciplinary environmental research connecting hydrology, biogeochemistry, and archaeology.

Dr. Lecher's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from the University of California Santa Cruz
• B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Her research interests span multiple disciplines with a focus on understanding human-environment interactions. Dr. Lecher specializes in biogeochemistry, examining how humans, biology, and geology alter Earth's chemical cycles. Her fieldwork has taken her to diverse locations including the Arctic Ocean, California coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Aqaba in Israel, and throughout Florida. She has developed a unique interdisciplinary approach that integrates hydrology, oceanography, and archaeology to study coastal environments and sustainable practices. Dr. Lecher is particularly interested in submarine groundwater discharge, coastal archaeological preservation, and the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems.

Dr. Lecher's recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research that bridges environmental science and archaeology. Many of her recent works focus on sustainable archaeological field schools, coastal zone research, and the intersection of heritage conservation with environmental change. She has made significant contributions to understanding how sea level rise affects archaeological sites and how communities can engage in sustainable practices through education and field experiences. Her work increasingly incorporates service-learning approaches that connect academic research with community needs, particularly around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Lecher has received numerous awards recognizing her contributions to academia and service:

• Award for Outstanding Overall Achievement in the Citizenship Project, Lynn University, 2025
• Service and Dedication to Lynn University Award, 2023-24
• Scholarship and Creative Activities Award, Lynn University, 2019-20
• CIEE International Faculty Development Grant Award, Cape Town, South Africa, 2017
• University of California Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship for Diversity, 2010-15

As an educator, Dr. Lecher has mentored numerous undergraduate students through research projects, many of whom have presented at conferences. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes developing well-rounded students who can think critically and communicate scientific information effectively. She coordinates the Environmental Studies program at Lynn University and encourages students to visit her office to learn about research opportunities. Dr. Lecher has secured multiple grants to support her research and educational initiatives, including the CIEE International Faculty Development Grant.

Dr. Lecher leads the Lecher Lab, which focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental science and archaeology. The lab conducts projects on topics including gopher tortoise populations, microplastics in sea salt, bone diagenesis in archaeological sites, and the impacts of screen size on artifact assemblages. She has established partnerships with organizations like the Florida Public Archaeology Network and has been elected Vice Chair of the Florida Undergraduate Research Association, demonstrating her commitment to building regional research networks that support undergraduate scholarship.