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Carly Jordan is an Associate Professor of Biology at The George Washington University, specializing in biology education and the scholarship of teaching. She teaches courses for the Women’s Leadership Program (BISC 1111, BISC 1112) and the University Honors Program (HONR 1033, HONR 1034). Her research focuses on inclusive pedagogy, evidence-based teaching methods, and diversity in science textbooks. Affiliations : Women’s Leadership Program, University Honors Program, Global Women’s Institute (Research Fellow), and BCEENET (Biological Collections in Ecology & Evolution Network). Dr. Jordan contributes to science education through case studies and curriculum development, including work on active learning strategies and graduate teaching assistant training. Her team investigates systemic biases (racism, sexism, heteronormativity) in human sexuality and reproductive biology textbooks. Recent publications highlight her dual focus on education and biological research, including the use of digitized natural history collections for undergraduate research, Martian molecule analysis, and plant morphology studies. She advocates for integrating biodiversity and inquiry-based learning into biology curricula.

• Biology Education
• Science Education
• Diversity and Inclusion in Curriculum
• +4 more

Grant Elliott is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Missouri (Columbia), affiliated with the College of Arts and Science. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, M.S. from the University of Wyoming, and B.A. from the University of Missouri. His research focuses on climate-vegetation interactions, biogeography, and forest dynamics, particularly in high-elevation treeline environments. Current work includes studying oak-hickory forest responses to climate change using tree phenology data collected with undergraduate researchers. Education: Ph.D., Geography, University of Minnesota M.S., Geography, University of Wyoming B.A., Geography, University of Missouri Research emphasizes climate change impacts on forest ecosystems, bioclimatic thresholds, and ecotonal dynamics. He investigates treeline shifts in the Rocky Mountains and urban gradient effects on tree species adaptation. Methodologies include dendrochronology and spatial climatology. Recent publications explore treeline dynamics, drought disturbances, and seedling establishment under climate variability. Teaching includes Biogeography, Physical Geography, and Field Geography courses.

• Climate-vegetation interactions
• Climate change impacts on forest ecosystems
• Biogeography
• +4 more

Geoffrey Cook is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Central Florida. His research examines the distribution, abundance, and dynamics of species in coastal marine ecosystems, integrating field ecology with ecological modeling. Cook's work addresses both theoretical and applied questions in marine conservation and restoration. Research areas include: habitat use by larval and juvenile fishes impacting marine metapopulations; extinction risk modeling for protected species; network-based analysis of marine ecosystem risk; and simulation of coastal system resilience. Current projects investigate how restored habitats influence fish communities, trophic dynamics, and ecosystem functioning in estuarine environments. Cook's recent publications demonstrate strong focus on restoration ecology, particularly oyster reef and wetland restoration in the Indian River Lagoon system. Studies employ diverse methodologies including gut content analysis, acoustic telemetry, Bayesian modeling, and ensemble modeling frameworks to assess restoration outcomes and fish community responses. His laboratory maintains active field research programs in Florida coastal ecosystems and collaborates with management agencies to inform conservation strategies. Cook's work contributes to developing optimal approaches for conserving marine biodiversity while promoting sustainable coastal communities.

• Marine Ecology
• Coastal Ecosystems
• Fish Habitat Use
• +3 more

David G. Jenkins is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Central Florida. His research integrates community ecology, biogeography, and conservation, focusing on diversity, dispersal, and species distributions across scales. The d3 lab studies isolated wetlands, invasive species, and metacommunity dynamics using multi-taxa approaches. Research emphasizes spatial ecology, biodiversity responses to disturbance, and conservation applications. Recent work examines beta diversity scaling, land-use impacts on wetlands, and human appropriation of ecological resources. Publications address biogeographic principles across taxa, grassland-wetland interactions, and socio-ecological drivers of global change. Teaching includes ecology and conservation courses.

• Community Ecology
• Biodiversity
• Biogeography
• +2 more

Keith Clay is Professor and Chair of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Tulane University's School of Science & Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from Duke University (1982) and previously served as Professor at Indiana University (1996-2018). Research explores plant-microbe interactions, disease ecology, and invasive species, with projects spanning coastal restoration, forest demographics, and wildlife microbiology. Publications address ecological resilience, microbial community dynamics, and genomic adaptations in invasive plants. Field studies occur in diverse ecosystems from Brazilian tapir habitats to North American forests. AAAS Fellow (2005) MacArthur Fellows Program Nominator (1999) NSF Graduate Fellowship (1978-1981) Administrative roles include Director of Indiana University's Research and Teaching Preserve (2002-2014). Research integrates molecular tools with landscape-scale experiments to address biodiversity conservation.

• Community Ecology
• Plant Ecology
• Symbiosis
• +1 more

Amy Honan is an Instructor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University . Her research focuses on fungal systematics, evolution, ecology, and biogeography. She has studied fungal biodiversity in diverse regions including the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Southeast Asia. B.S. in Biochemistry from Western Colorado University M.S. in Biology from San Francisco State University Ph.D. from University of Washington School of Environment and Forest Sciences

• Mycology
• Fungal Systematics
• Evolution
• +2 more

Roderick P. Neumann is Professor of Geography at Florida International University's Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs. His research examines the intersection of culture and nature through political ecology, focusing on biodiversity conservation conflicts in Africa and the co-construction of racial and national identities in colonial contexts. Fieldwork includes studies in Tanzania, Western Europe, and California, funded by NSF, NEH, and Fulbright. Neumann's book 'Making Political Ecology' establishes theoretical foundations linking social justice and environmental change. Current research integrates behavioral ecology and posthumanism to analyze human-wildlife interactions. He holds a PhD from UC Berkeley (1992) and serves on editorial boards including Colloids and Surfaces A . Publications appear in Annals of the Association of American Geographers and Political Geography.

• Political Ecology
• Cultural Geography
• Conservation
• +2 more

Sarah L. Sheffield is an Assistant Professor in the School of Geosciences at the University of South Florida, within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on evolutionary relationships of Paleozoic echinoderms and fostering inclusive education in geosciences. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee (2017), an M.S. from Auburn University (2013), and a B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2011). Dr. Sheffield’s research integrates morphological analysis of echinoderms with biogeographic and evolutionary studies. Key projects include interpreting skeletal homologies, determining phylogenetic relationships, and identifying new fossil localities. Her work also emphasizes DEI initiatives, such as diversifying STEM representation and improving accessibility in geoscience education. Her recent publications explore echinoderm phylogeny, biogeography, and education equity. Notable awards include the GSA Fellowship (2020) and the National GSA Biggs Teaching Award (2019). She advises graduate students like Stephen Hill and mentors undergraduates in projects ranging from fossil digitization to science communication. Dr. Sheffield actively engages in outreach via blogs (e.g., Time Scavengers), K-12 programs, and public lectures. Her lab group collaborates internationally and focuses on paleontological fieldwork in locations like Sardinia and North America.

• Evolutionary Paleobiology
• Invertebrate Paleobiology
• Echinoderm Evolution
• +5 more

Anne Taylor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University. Her research focuses on soil microbial ecology, particularly nitrification processes and the roles of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria in nitrogen cycling. She has contributed to understanding temperature effects on nitrification kinetics and greenhouse gas emissions. Education: B.S. in Bioresource Research (2000), M.S. in Environmental Soil Science (2001), Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2008) - all from Oregon State University Her work spans microbial physiology, environmental engineering, and agricultural sustainability. Key studies involve thermodynamic modeling of nitrification, inhibitor-based differentiation of archaeal and bacterial activity, and impacts of climate variables on soil nitrogen dynamics. Recent publications highlight comparative analyses of nitrification responses to temperature gradients, substrate availability, and inhibition mechanisms. Collaborative efforts with researchers like Daniel D. Myrold and Peter J. Bottomley appear in high-impact journals such as ISME Journal and Soil Biology and Biochemistry. Professional activities include presentations at international conferences (e.g., International Conference on Nitrification, ISME Meetings) and participation in USDA-NIFA AFRI and EPA-funded projects. She serves on graduate committees and maintains active laboratory research programs.

• Soil Microbiology
• Microbial Ecology
• Environmental Engineering
• +3 more

Gary Rosenberg, PhD is a Professor and Pilsbry Chair of Malacology at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, affiliated with the Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science. His research focuses on malacology, systematics, evolution, taxonomy, and nomenclature of mollusks. Rosenberg holds a BS in Geology from Princeton University (1981) and a PhD in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University (1989). His work emphasizes mollusk biodiversity, conservation status of endangered species, and taxonomic database improvement. Notable contributions include over 75 peer-reviewed publications, editorial board roles, and leadership in international nomenclature commissions. He teaches courses on Evolution, Evolutionary Ecology, and Systematic Biology. Rosenberg's research trends show strong emphasis on mollusk systematics, biogeography, and conservation, with frequent collaboration on global mollusk diversity assessments. His 2024 study on Cameroon's freshwater snails exemplifies this focus. Recent work also explores innovative methods for estimating species diversity through mark-recapture techniques. Awards: Neptunea Award (Conchologists of America), Honorary Life Membership (American Malacological Society) Grants/Advising: Extensive grant-funded projects on mollusk biodiversity, advising graduate students in systematic biology Labs/Teams: Leads malacology research at the Academy of Natural Sciences, collaborates internationally on mollusk collections digitization

• Malacology
• Systematics
• Evolution
• +3 more

Jocelyn A. Sessa, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science at Drexel University. She is also an Associate Curator in the Invertebrate Paleontology Department at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Her research integrates fossil and modern data to study mollusk faunas' responses to environmental changes across geological timescales. Education : PhD in Geosciences (Pennsylvania State University, 2009), MS in Geology (University of Cincinnati, 2003), BA in Geological Sciences (SUNY Geneseo, 2000). Her work focuses on ocean acidification, climate change, and paleobiology, using mollusks as model organisms. She investigates mass extinctions, past climatic shifts, and employs stable isotope analysis and CT scanning techniques. Her recent publications highlight mollusk responses to global warming and projects like the extending Ocean Drilling Pursuits (eODP) to synthesize geological data. Students mentored by Sessa have contributed to studies on pteropods, ammonites, and sediment traps, with their work often appearing in journals like Frontiers in Marine Science and Geological Society of America Bulletin . Fieldwork spans the US Gulf Coast, California, Angola, and Romania. Her scholarship emphasizes accessibility in science, with outreach efforts since 2007 targeting under-represented communities in the Philadelphia area.

• Ocean acidification
• Mollusks
• Climate change
• +1 more

Dr. Tatyana Livshultz is an Associate Professor in Drexel University's Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science and Assistant Curator of Botany at the Academy of Natural Sciences. She holds a BA from University of Chicago (1995) and PhD from Cornell University (2003). Her research integrates botany, phylogenetic reconstruction, evolution of plant specialized metabolism, plant-insect interactions, and functional morphology. Studies focus on Apocynaceae systematics, particularly pyrrolizidine alkaloid evolution and biogeography. Fieldwork spans Taiwan, Bahamas, Mississippi, and Cambodia. Publications encompass phylogenetic studies of milkweeds and relatives, chemical ecology of plant defenses, and taxonomic revisions. She serves on the American Society for Plant Taxonomy Collections Committee and as Philadelphia Botanical Club vice-president.

• Plant Systematics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Chemical Ecology

Jocelyn E. Behm is an Assistant Professor at Temple University conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of ecology and sustainability. Her work focuses on community assembly in human-dominated landscapes, emphasizing the impacts of habitat development and invasive species on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Postdoctoral Fellow, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2012-2017) Ph.D. in Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2012) M.S. in Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2007) B.S. in Environmental Science, Drexel University (2001) Her research spans four key areas: Spotted Lanternfly Invasion: Studying dispersal patterns, oviposition behavior, and management strategies in Pennsylvania's invaded landscapes. Biodiversity-Ecosystem Services: Investigating how habitat variables and species interactions affect urban ecosystem functionality and services like pollination and pest control. Caribbean Invasions: Analyzing the combined effects of habitat development and species introductions on Caribbean biodiversity hotspots. Sustainability Science: Bridging biodiversity research with sustainable landscape design through trait-based approaches and modeling. Behm employs field surveys, experiments, genetic tools, and computational models to address these questions across diverse taxa. Her recent publications highlight innovative methods for invasive species monitoring and theoretical frameworks linking biodiversity to sustainability.

• Community Assembly
• Invasive Species Ecology
• Urban Ecology
• +5 more

Rebecca L. McCulley is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Kentucky, within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. She holds a B.A. from Rice University (1995), M.S. from Texas A&M University (1998), and Ph.D. from Colorado State University (2002). Her research focuses on grassland and shrubland ecosystems, exploring how human activities, climate change, and fungal symbionts influence nutrient cycling and ecosystem stability. Leadership roles include serving as Director of the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment (2016–2017). Her lab investigates topics such as tall fescue endophyte impacts, litter decomposition in aridlands, and invasive species effects. Notable collaborations include global grassland studies through initiatives like the Nutrient Network (NutNet). Research highlights include work on fungal endophyte effects on plant-microbe interactions, climate change adaptation in agroecosystems, and soil health dynamics in grazing lands. She advises graduate students like Kent Pham (soil microbial impacts of hemp integration) and postdoctoral researcher Rebecca McGrail (root phenotypes and agroecosystem function). Her lab’s work spans field experiments, microbial community analysis, and global comparative studies, contributing to understanding ecosystem resilience under environmental change. Outputs include over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with key contributions to Nature , Ecology , and Soil Biology & Biochemistry .

• Grassland Ecology
• Aridland Ecosystems
• Climate Change Impacts
• +3 more

Susanna Tong is a Professor and Director of the 2+2 Program in Geography at the University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on environmental geography, urban ecology, hydrologic modeling, and climate change impacts on water resources. She holds a PhD from Sheffield University and has over 40 years of academic experience, including roles at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and UCLA. Dr. Tong's research spans watershed management, heavy metal contamination, and ecological risk assessment. She has led over 20 funded projects from agencies like the EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers, totaling $2.6M+ in grants. Notable awards include the UNESCO Postgraduate Studentship and recognition from the U.S. State Department for international collaboration. Her service includes leadership roles in the Biogeography Specialty Group (AAG), NSF peer review, and directing Asian Studies and Environmental Studies programs at UC. Courses taught include Environmental Geography, Urban Habitat Analysis, and advanced seminars.

• Environmental Geography
• Urban Ecology
• Hydrologic Modeling
• +7 more