Bala Chaudhary

Bala Chaudhary is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College, located in Steele Hall Room 111. She specializes in soil ecology with focus on plant-soil-microbial interactions and mycorrhizal symbioses. Her research examines microbial dispersal at macrosystems scales, trait-based mycorrhizal ecology, ecological synthesis, and microbial mediation of global change solutions.

Her education includes a BA from University of Chicago, and MS/PhD from Northern Arizona University. Research has applications in climate mitigation, soil conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable agriculture, along with work promoting racial equity in STEM.

Publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining field studies, lab experiments, and data synthesis across diverse ecosystems. Recent work addresses both ecological dynamics and social dimensions of scientific practice.