Wei Fang

Wei Fang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Pace University, affiliated with the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences in New York City. She holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from the State University of New York at Stony Brook (2003), an MS in Botany from Sun Yat-sen University, China (1993), and a BS in Environmental Biology and Ecology from Peking University, China (1990).

• PhD, Ecology and Evolution, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 2003
• MS, Botany, Sun Yat-sen University, 1993
• BS, Environmental Biology and Ecology, Peking University, 1990

Her research centers on organismal and ecosystem resilience in response to anthropogenic stressors such as climate change, urbanization, and biological invasions. She employs field experiments, remote sensing, and statistical modeling to investigate forest and grassland responses to environmental change. Her work spans terrestrial ecosystems in North America, China, and Central Asia, with a strong emphasis on integrating satellite data with ground-based observations.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent focus on ecosystem responses to climate extremes—particularly drought and warming—using satellite remote sensing (e.g., MODIS, Sentinel-3), tree-ring data, and machine learning. Key themes include canopy-height-dependent drought resistance, grazing impacts on steppe ecosystems, and invasive species effects. Her research bridges ecology, environmental science, and data science, contributing to global understanding of climate-vegetation feedbacks.

She has been recognized with several awards, including:

• Dyson Society of Fellow, 2024 (Fellow)
• Pace University, 2024 and 2023 (Yes I Make it Happen Recognition)

Dr. Fang has secured federal grants from the US Embassy in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (administered by American Councils) to modernize ecology and sustainability curricula in Central Asian universities, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals. She mentors students through independent study and research courses (BIO 395, BIO 480) and serves on faculty search and academic committees. Her professional service includes reviewing for journals such as Environmental Research Letters, Forest Ecology and Management, and Scientific Reports, as well as grant proposals for the National Science Foundation. She has organized international workshops and serves on advisory boards, demonstrating strong leadership in academic and scientific communities.

She is actively involved in research teams focusing on ecological forecasting and international education development, contributing to large collaborative projects across multiple institutions. Her lab integrates field ecology with remote sensing and modeling, fostering interdisciplinary training for students.