Shahid Naeem is Professor of Ecology in the Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology and Director of the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability at Columbia University. He obtained his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley, was a postdoctoral fellow at Imperial College of London, the University of Copenhagen, and University of Michigan. He has served on the faculty of the University of Minnesota, the University of Washington, and currently serves on the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Recipient of the Ecological Society of America’s Buell and Mercer Awards and the Lenfest Distinguished Faculty award at Columbia University, he is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and an Aldo Leopold Leadership fellow. Considered among the "World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds" in environmental and ecological science by Thompson Reuters in 2014, his teaching, research, and publications focus on the importance of biodiversity in the functioning of ecosystems and the services they provide humanity. [CV 2023]
Matt Palmer is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology. He received his PhD in Ecology and Evolution from Rutgers University, where he studied plant community ecology. He is currently involved in a range of research and education projects in New York City and the surrounding region. He collaborates with NYC Parks, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, NASA, the USDA Forest Service, and several units within Columbia University on research, teaching, and teacher training initiatives. Current research projects include evaluating the ecosystem functions of green infrastructure, studying the ecosystem consequences of reforestation in NYC, and providing scientific support for the management of both invasive and rare species throughout the region. Matt teaches classes in botany, forest ecology, urban ecology, herpetology, and research methods. Many of these classes involve significant field work.
Ivan Monagan, PhD student
On the summer road that ran by our front porch
Lizards and snakes came out to sun.
It was hot as a stove out there, enough to scorch
A buzzard's foot. Still, it was fun
To lie in the dust and spy on them. Near but remote,
They snoozed in the carriage ruts, a smile
In the set of the jaw, a fierce pulse in the throat
Working away like Jack Doyle's after he'd run the mile.
Aunt Martha had an unfair prejudice
Against them (as well as being cold
Toward bats.) She was pretty inflexible in this,
Being a spinster and all, and old.
So we used to slip them into her knitting box.
In the evening she'd bring in things to mend
And a nice surprise would slide out from under the socks.
It broadened her life, as Joe said. Joe was my friend.
But we never did it again after the day
Of the big wind when you could hear the trees
Creak like rocking chairs. She was looking away
Off, and kept saying, "Sweet Jesus, please
Don't let him near me. He's as like as twins.
He can crack us like lice with his fingernail.
I can see him plain as a pikestaff. Look how he grins
And swings the scaly horror of his folded tail."
Erich Eberhard, PhD student | Broadly, I am interested in the interdisciplinary study of coupled human and natural systems, with an emphasis on understanding the socioeconomic drivers of biodiversity loss and its cascading consequences for ecosystem function, ecosystems services, and human wellbeing. My PhD research makes use of emerging technologies, including bioacoustics, to study biodiversity dynamics across multi-use tropical landscapes and unravel the mechanisms by which they shape services. To complement my research activities, I develop multimedia projects that explore environmental narratives and support community participation in research and management.
Maddy Dietrich (she/her), PhD student | My research focuses on marine ecology and coastal resilience, in particular the way that climate change and other abiotic factors affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning of southeastern US salt marshes.
Emily Leggat (she/her), PhD student | I am interested in how human environments and infrastructure influence species interactions. My area of focus is insect interactions in urban areas. [CV 2023]
Lily Kunkel (they/them), Bridge Scholar | Ecology is the foundation and methodological home base for my research interests, but I’m deeply influenced and inspired by further research and work experience in social psychology, archaeology, environmental art, and sustainability. I am broadly interested in human-nature interactions, urban ecology, and anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity. As a two-spirit ecologist of Choctaw and Cherokee descent, I am also particularly interested in traditional ecological knowledge, environmental justice, and science communication.
Sean Reese (he/him) is a PhD student in the School of International and Public Affairs' Sustainable Development program. He is broadly interested in natural resource policy but focuses on topics at the intersection of economics, ecology, and earth science. He is particularly interested in global efforts to preserve biodiversity, the economic value of nature, and how the biosphere acts as a mediator for climate change impacts (particularly through the provision of ecosystem services).
Mads Moore (they/them) investigates the distribution, abundance, and ecology of 
Coleoptera in urban parks across NYC, with the intention of understanding edge effects and candidate genes found in chosen taxa to identify any traits aiding in urban adaptation and genetic differentiation. Prior to becoming a graduate student, they worked with the Toews Lab at Penn State for over two years as a field assistant sampling wood warblers, where they fell in love with avian research. Prior to that, they worked as a STEM educator and metalsmith building and educating at the intersection of science and art. Their diverse background in both education and craftsmanship has enriched their perspective on scientific research and community engagement, and reinforces their dedication to good science communication. In their free time, they love to bike, build community, and laugh.
Chenjie Xia, MA Student | My research focuses on plant community assembly and the interaction of environmental factors in shaping biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. My master's thesis examines the impacts of herbivory and dominant species loss on understory vegetation in eastern deciduous forests, employing advanced techniques like LiDAR scanning and bioacoustics. I am dedicated to fostering inclusive academic environments and advancing ecological research through collaboration and innovation.
Valentino Lee, MA Student | My research interests lie in the study of marine ecosystems and the ecology and behavior of marine species, including corals and reef fishes. I am also interested in leveraging my computer science background with emerging technology fields, such as bioacoustics and underwater videography, to help wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts. For my master's thesis, I am investigating the impact of shark and ray presence/absence on coral reef background sounds which I hope will lead to better understanding of interspecies interactions on healthy reefs. In my free time, I volunteer at the New York Aquarium where I lead dive teams cleaning the underwater exhibits. I also teach the divers and speak with the public about marine life and conservation, and maintain the dive team's social media page.