Amy Mertl

Amy Mertl serves as a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wellesley College, where she teaches Ecosystem Ecology (BISC307) and Introductory Organismal Biology (BISC111) with a focus on hands-on, inclusive pedagogy.

Her educational background includes:

• B.S. from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• Ph.D. from Boston University

Dr. Mertl's research centers on urban community ecology, examining plant-insect interactions, species adaptation to urban ecosystems, and air pollution impacts as an environmental justice issue. She leads community science initiatives monitoring insect herbivory, pollinator dynamics, and monarch populations in Boston green spaces, while exploring ecological effects of urban tiny forests (Miyawaki method). As a co-manager of the Urban Wildlife Information Network's Boston camera network, she documents bird and mammal activity across urban gradients.

In teaching, she implements a modified POGIL approach with structured-to-open-ended experimentation and diverse assessments (written/oral/visual). Her commitment to inclusive classrooms includes outdoor learning and meeting students at their individual levels.

Dr. Mertl actively contributes to local green space access and biodiversity conservation initiatives, using they/she pronouns.