Erin J Questad

Erin J. Questad is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (College of Science). Her research program centers on restoration ecology, with emphasis on endangered plant communities, invasive species management, and biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships. She employs multidisciplinary approaches including ecological field experiments, plant functional trait analysis, and remote sensing technologies.

Research Focus:
Dr. Questad investigates: 1) Community assembly mechanisms in restored ecosystems, 2) Biodiversity-agriculture feedbacks in heterogeneous landscapes, 3) Remote sensing tools for post-fire recovery, and 4) Restoration of invaded Hawaiian and Californian ecosystems. Her work bridges theoretical ecology and practical conservation solutions.

Recent Publication Trends (2014-2022):
Analysis of 15 recent articles reveals dominant themes: Restoration efficacy in drylands (42%), invasive species impacts (25%), remote sensing applications (17%), and biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships (16%). Studies frequently integrate field data with landscape-scale technologies and emphasize management applications.

Students & Collaborations:

• Currently advising three Master's candidates
• Leading a 2024 postdoctoral hiring initiative
• Active collaborations with: The Nature Conservancy, UCANR, UC Santa Barbara, and CSU Long Beach