Anna Monfils

Anna Monfils is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Central Michigan University (CMU), where she also serves as the Director of the CMU Herbarium (CMC) and is affiliated with the Institute for Great Lakes Research. She is a core faculty member in the College of Science and Engineering, contributing to research, teaching, and biodiversity conservation.

• B.S., University of Notre Dame, 1992
• Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2003
• Postdoc., Michigan State University, 2004-2005

Dr. Monfils' research is centered on biodiversity science, conservation biology, and plant systematics, with a particular focus on prairie fen ecosystems and endangered species such as the Poweshiek skipperling butterfly. Her work integrates methodologies from museum science, biodiversity informatics, field ecology, and molecular techniques. She investigates the origin, pattern, and maintenance of biodiversity across different scales, from micro to macro levels. Her lab is actively involved in invasive species biology, particularly studying aquatic invasive plants like starry stonewort and European frog-bit, and developing adaptive management frameworks.

Her recent publications reveal a strong trend toward leveraging large datasets for conservation. Her research frequently involves species distribution modeling, habitat suitability assessment, and data management workflows for biodiversity. She is a key contributor to initiatives like the Extended Specimen Network, aiming to enhance the use of museum collections for research and education in the 21st century. Her work bridges fundamental science with direct conservation applications, particularly in the Great Lakes region.

• The Extended Specimen Network: A Strategy to Enhance U.S. Biodiversity Collections, Promote Research and Education
• Biodiversity Science and the 21st Century Workforce
• Life history and ecology of the endangered Poweshiek skipperling Oarisma poweshiek in Michigan prairie fens
• A data management workflow of biodiversity data from the field to data users
• Local and landscape level variables related to Poweshiek skipperling presence in Michigan, USA prairie fens

Dr. Monfils leads a research lab that conducts extensive field surveys and collaborates with state and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Her research has been funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the National Science Foundation (e.g., award DBI-1730526 for biodiversity data literacy). She teaches courses including Quantitative Biology, Plant Systematics, and Wetland Plants. While specific advisees are not listed, her leadership of a research lab and graduate scholarships indicates an active role in mentoring students.

Her lab and research are deeply integrated with the CMU Herbarium (CMC) and the Institute for Great Lakes Research, which serve as central hubs for her biodiversity data collection, curation, and collaborative projects.