OrganizationUniversity of Alaska Anchorage - Alaska Center for Conservation Science
Emailelarson15@alaska.edu
Location
Anchorage , Alaska 99508
United StatesBio
I am an avid aquatic ecologist whose research interests lie between basic and applied ecology. I am fascinated by the complex effects of ecological disturbance. Specifically, I am interested in how disturbance history shapes communities and which traits confer resilience in dynamic systems. I study these questions using both experimental and observational techniques along environmental gradients in montane regions around the globe.
I am passionate about outreach and teaching and believe that sharing knowledge is as important as making new discoveries. I help co-host the podcast for the Society for Freshwater Science (https://freshwater-science.org/education-outreach/making-waves) and am a co-chair of its Public Information and Publicity Committee. As a graduate student at Cornell, I taught courses in medium and maximum security prisons through Cornell’s Prison Education Program. I strongly believe that everyone deserves the right to an education.
I am a Co-PI on the NSF-funded AK UNiTE Research Coordination Network in Undergraduate Biology Education. Our priority is to provide Alaskan undergraduate biology students with place-based opportunities to explore biology from a research perspective and gain insight and experience that does not result from traditional classroom learning, particularly students who have not previously had research experience.
At APU, I teach courses in ecology, field methods in environmental science, conservation biology, and environmental policy and assessment. I am excited about working together with students to untangle ecological puzzles.
When I’m not in the field, lab, classroom or office, I am a devoted trail runner, backcountry skier, and mountain biker.
I am passionate about outreach and teaching and believe that sharing knowledge is as important as making new discoveries. I help co-host the podcast for the Society for Freshwater Science (https://freshwater-science.org/education-outreach/making-waves) and am a co-chair of its Public Information and Publicity Committee. As a graduate student at Cornell, I taught courses in medium and maximum security prisons through Cornell’s Prison Education Program. I strongly believe that everyone deserves the right to an education.
I am a Co-PI on the NSF-funded AK UNiTE Research Coordination Network in Undergraduate Biology Education. Our priority is to provide Alaskan undergraduate biology students with place-based opportunities to explore biology from a research perspective and gain insight and experience that does not result from traditional classroom learning, particularly students who have not previously had research experience.
At APU, I teach courses in ecology, field methods in environmental science, conservation biology, and environmental policy and assessment. I am excited about working together with students to untangle ecological puzzles.
When I’m not in the field, lab, classroom or office, I am a devoted trail runner, backcountry skier, and mountain biker.