X. Ben Wu

X. Ben Wu is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University, concurrently serving as a Presidential Professor for Teaching Excellence. His research focuses on spatial ecology, pyric herbivory dynamics in savanna landscapes, and educational innovations in ecology pedagogy. Current projects include landscape biogeochemistry studies, terracette landscapes analysis, and integrating authentic scientific inquiry into undergraduate education.

Education:

• B.S. Botany, Lanzhou University, China
• Ph.D. Ecology, University of Tennessee
• M.S. Management Science, University of Tennessee
• M.S. Ecology, University of Tennessee

Teaching responsibilities include large-enrollment introductory ecology courses and graduate-level landscape analysis. Research emphasizes spatial patterns of vegetation change, fire-herbivore interactions, and habitat fragmentation. Recent work explores impacts of sea-level rise on coastal ecosystems and wildfire effects on rangeland biodiversity.

Grants & Collaboration: Active in multi-institutional projects on habitat restoration, fire ecology, and educational technology. Collaborates with institutions like the USDA Agricultural Research Service and the Everglades Wetland Research Park.

Labs/Teams: Leads a lab group conducting field and remote-sensing studies on savanna ecosystems and educational program development for science pedagogy.