Pamela Templer

Pamela Templer is a Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology at Boston University, affiliated with the Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS). Her research focuses on ecosystem ecology, particularly plant-microbial interactions influencing nutrient cycling and carbon exchange in forests. She investigates the impacts of climate change, urbanization, and air pollution on forest ecosystems. Dr. Templer leads the Templer Lab, which explores biogeochemical cycles in natural and managed ecosystems, integrating environmental science with policy through collaborations with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley
• PhD, Cornell University
• BA in Biology and Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz

Research Interests: Her work emphasizes environmental change effects on carbon and nitrogen dynamics, including climate change, atmospheric deposition, and urbanization. She studies soil microbial stress metabolism, forest productivity, and water/air quality, with a focus on solutions-oriented partnerships to address environmental challenges. Recent projects include urban tree microbiome dysbiosis, winter climate thresholds, and nitrogen deposition impacts.

Collaborations & Outreach: She directs the PhD Program in Biogeoscience and engages in interdisciplinary training through initiatives like the Youth Environment Alliance in Higher Education (YEAH). Her lab bridges science and policy, advocating for urban sustainability and climate mitigation strategies.

Labs/Teams: The Templer Lab at Boston University focuses on field experiments (e.g., Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest studies) and interdisciplinary partnerships to address global sustainability goals.