What is the focus of the Center for Ecosystem Research?

The purpose of the Center for Ecosystem Research (CER) is to enhance competitive research of ecosystems and their biological, physical and chemical components. The objectives are to facilitate collaboration among faculty, provide opportunities for faculty to explore scientific questions, and to work side-by-side sharing ideas, research space and equipment.

CER creates more cohesive organization and provides laboratory space for cross-college and cross-campus collaboration. Under CER, laboratory space and equipment currently administered by the College of Natural Sciences (NS) is dedicated to research and promoting the goals and purpose of the Center.

This arrangement facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and the efficient use of space and scientific resources. In turn we expect the benefits to be an increase in grant and contract competitiveness and better ability to respond to societal needs.

About The Center

The idea for CER came from the college vision to create Centers of Excellence to provide the infrastructure for interdisciplinary education and research in the disciplines where the college has demonstrated excellence. Presently NS has two Centers of Excellence called the Center for Math and Science Education and the Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion (CNAP).

The goals of CER are to:

• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration in the NS-based research in the biological, chemical and physical components of ecosystems.
• Provide shared infrastructure and resources for research
• Increase grant and contact competitiveness in coordination with the Office of Sponsored Programs.
• Increase our responsiveness to the societal needs for research in the biological, chemical and physical components of ecosystems.
• Help ISD fulfill the campus vision of environmental stewardship, sustainability, and leadership.

Centers of Excellence benefit the college by:

• Strengthening education in areas of excellence, i.e. hiring faculty, supporting courses, solving curriculum needs, and supporting the interdisciplinary nature of the discipline.
• Seeking financial support to purchase, maintain, and replace equipment and technology.
• Preparing students for careers and graduate degree programs by continuing to advise students and revise our curricula.
• Supporting faculty by helping them remain current in their field (i.e. new equipment) and by addressing faculty issues (i.e. work loads, release time, and space).

CER Board of Directors

The CER Board of Directors will guide the direction of CER. The board members are:

• Dr. James Houpis (Dean, College of Natural Sciences )
• Dr. Ailsie McEnteggart (Department Chair, Biological Sciences)
• Dr. Gina Johnston (Department Chair, Geological and Environmental Sciences)
• Dr. Randy Miller (Department Chair, Chemistry)
• Dr. Terry Kiser (Department Chair, Mathematics and Statistics)

CER Staff

• Jennifer Rotnem, Director of Environmental Programs
• Norma Myers, Project Manager

CER Faculty