Krista Slemmons

Professor Krista Slemmons is a paleoecologist and limnologist at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Department of Biology. She serves as the Scribner Professor of Biology Education and coordinates the Natural Science Education program, Life Science Certificate program, and Biology Certificate program. On campus, she chairs the Biology Executive Committee, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, SBBC Retention Committee, and University Sabbatical Committee. She is also involved in the Pilot Program Honor Program STEAM and College Day for Kids workshops.

Dr. Slemmons earned her Ph.D. in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maine, M.S. in Environmental Sciences and Conservation Biology from Miami University, M.Ed. in Science Education from Wright State University, and B.S. in Biology from Denison University.

Her research examines how changes in glacier mass balance in arctic and alpine regions alter aquatic ecosystems and phytoplankton communities over the Holocene. As both a paleoecologist and limnologist, she uses fossil diatom reconstructions, field observations, and modern ecological experimentation to understand drivers of change in aquatic community composition, species diversity, and ecosystem function. She investigates how climate variability, nutrient loading from glacial recession, and hydrologic change influence ecosystem dynamics through time. Her educational research focuses on identifying best practices among secondary and post-secondary educators, including examining inquiry-based laboratories to reduce science misconceptions, optimal video length for online learning across age groups, and using case studies to reduce science anxiety and stereotype threat among non-majors.

Analysis of her publications reveals consistent research themes centered on glacial meltwater impacts on alpine and arctic lake ecosystems, with particular focus on diatom communities as indicators of environmental change. Her work spans paleoecological reconstructions from lake sediments across multiple geographic regions including the Rocky Mountains, Greenland, and Wisconsin. In recent years, she has increasingly integrated educational research with her ecological work, exploring innovative teaching methods in science education.

• Fulbright Teaching and Research Scholar (2023)
• Excellence in Service, UWSP Biology Department Award (2021)
• University Excellence in Teaching, UWSP (2019)
• Excellence in Scholarship, UWSP Biology Department Award (2018, 2019)
• Excellence in Teaching UWSP Biology Department Award (2018)

As the Scribner Professor of Biology Education, Slemmons works closely with the School of Education at UWSP to mentor student teachers and collaborate with Education faculty on effective science teaching methods. She serves as an active peer reviewer for journals including Aquatic Sciences, Journal of Paleolimnology, Limnology and Oceanography, and Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research. Her grant reviewing work includes the National Geographic Society. She teaches courses such as Biological Principles and the Human Environment, Field Ecology of Hawaii, Seminar for Student Teaching in Science, and Survey of Ecology and Evolution.

Dr. Slemmons leads the UWSP Paleoecology Lab, which conducts research on glacial meltwater effects in alpine lakes of the Rockies, Greenland, diatom community changes in Sweden, nitrogen impacts in Wisconsin lakes, and Great Lakes 'lakes within lakes' phenomena. The lab also investigates fish gut community changes in Wisconsin and supports undergraduate research initiatives.