Manuel Lerdau

Manuel Lerdau is a Professor in Environmental Sciences and Biology at the University of Virginia's College of Arts & Sciences, with an affiliation in the Biology department. His research spans multiple dimensions of ecological science, focusing on plant-atmosphere interactions, ecosystem processes, and environmental change.

Lerdau's research interests center around fundamental questions of resource acquisition and allocation in plants, with specific focus areas including biological invasions, pests & pathogens, extinctions, atmospheric chemistry & air quality, and controls over element cycling. His work combines experimental and observational research with process-based ecosystem models, particularly examining genomics and stress tolerance and trace gas exchange between plants and the atmosphere. Current projects include the regulation of ozone exchange between forests and the atmosphere, effects of land use practices on ecosystems, and development of new technology for measuring plant health.

His recent publication trends show a strong emphasis on biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), plant-atmosphere interactions, and remote sensing techniques. The research spans atmospheric chemistry, plant physiology, and ecosystem modeling, with particular attention to how environmental stressors like drought and ozone affect plant function and ecosystem processes. Many studies involve field measurements in southeastern US forests with implications for air quality and climate change.

Lerdau's research is supported by the US National Science Foundation and NASA, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work that bridges ecology, atmospheric science, and environmental policy. He collaborates extensively with researchers like Sally Pusede and Xi Yang on projects related to atmospheric chemistry and plant responses to environmental stress.

He teaches a range of courses including Introduction to Environmental Science, Ecology and Evolution of Birds, The Atmosphere and Plants (and soils), Food: Science, Society, and Sustainability, Terrestrial Ecology, and Fundamentals of Ecology, demonstrating his commitment to interdisciplinary environmental education.