Elena Traister

Elena Traister serves as Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), where she teaches courses ranging from introductory environmental systems to advanced policy and research methods. Her office is located in the Center for Science & Innovation 225F, with contact available via email and phone.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of New Hampshire (2010)
• M.E.Sc. from Yale School of the Environment (2005)
• B.A. from Williams College (2001)

Professor Traister's research centers on stream conservation and freshwater contamination mitigation, emphasizing collaborative partnerships with state and local institutions for cleanup initiatives. She champions student engagement in real-world conservation through campus sustainability programs and community-based projects in sustainable food systems. Her teaching philosophy integrates environmental policy with hands-on field experience.

Her scholarly publications demonstrate consistent focus on freshwater ecosystems, spanning acidification impacts, watershed geoecology, and bacterial monitoring across diverse geographic contexts including Central Europe and northeastern U.S. river systems. These works reflect interdisciplinary approaches combining ecological field studies with policy applications.

She actively mentors students through course-based research projects and campus sustainability coordination, fostering professional development via community partnerships. Her Green Living Seminar models collaborative environmental problem-solving through semester-long projects with external organizations.