معرفی
Tracy Gartner is a Professor of Environmental Science and Biology at Carthage College, where she has served since 2005. She directs the Environmental Science Program and teaches courses in environmental science, ecology, botany, experimental design, and restoration. Her research explores how biodiversity shifts—driven by invasive species, environmental changes, and human activities—affect ecosystem structure and nutrient dynamics. She co-founded The Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN), a nationwide collaborative linking 150+ undergraduate institutions, and serves as lead scientist on a project studying decomposition processes and invasive species. EREN is NSF-funded, with Prof. Gartner also participating in its Leadership Team.
Education: B.A. in Biology and Environmental Science (Phi Beta Kappa, Coe College); Ph.D. in Ecology (University of Connecticut); postdoctoral research in Alaska sponsored by UC-Irvine.
Research interests emphasize biodiversity’s role in ecosystems, particularly decomposition processes and invasive species impacts. She has presented at conferences like the Ecological Society of America, co-organizing sessions on biodiversity in ecological layers. Her work appears in journals such as Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Oikos, and Ecology Letters. Professional affiliations include Sigma Xi and MExEco (Microbial Enzymes across Ecosystems).
EREN collaborations exemplify her commitment to integrating student research with classroom learning. Beyond academia, her postdoctoral work in Alaska highlights interdisciplinary environmental studies.
