Elsa Youngsteadt

Elsa Youngsteadt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Ecology at North Carolina State University. Her work focuses on urban ecology, particularly how urbanization and climate change affect insect physiology, behavior, and mutualisms. She leads the Urban Ecology Lab, which combines field studies, spatial modeling, and collaborative outreach to address ecological challenges in cities.

Educated in entomology and ecology, her research spans topics like thermal ecology of ants, urban pollination dynamics, and conservation of beneficial insects. She has pioneered studies on how urban heat islands influence bee health and pollination services, with recent USDA-funded projects assessing temperature impacts across U.S. cities. She also co-authored The Bees of North Carolina, a practical guide for public education.

Her lab emphasizes translational research, developing tools like the Pollinator Garden Planner to bridge science and community action. She advises graduate students and has trained numerous researchers through mentorship programs. Active in professional organizations, she promotes evidence-based strategies for urban biodiversity conservation.

Lab facilities are located at David Clark Labs in Raleigh, NC, with addresses for correspondence and shipping provided on official university pages. Current projects include carpenter bee behavior studies, ant nutrient preferences, and crystal skipper butterfly conservation.