Emily Sofia Jalics Rauschert, Ph.D.
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 Title: Associate Professor
Environmental Science MS Program Adviser
 Dept: Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences
 Office: SR G66
 Phone: 216-687-3506
 Email: e.rauschert@csuohio.edu
 Address: 2121 Euclid Ave. SR G66, Cleveland, OH 44115

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Research Keywords:
invasive species, restoration ecology, plant ecology, spatial dynamics of species, population models, species coexistence, biotic homogenization
 
Education:
Ph.D., Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, 2006
B.A., Physics and German, Case Western Reserve University, 1999
 
Brief Bio:
I am a population and community biologist focusing on plant invasion, restoration ecology, urban community ecology, and effective teaching and mentoring. My research interests include the spread and spatial dynamics of invasive species, which is often driven by human activities, and the interactions and associations of invasive plants. I use a variety of methods in my research, including synthesizing field experiments and mathematical modeling. Some of my work is focused on outreach, such as my work as a board member of the Ohio Invasive Plants Council. My teaching interests include building scientific skills in the classroom, especially scientific thinking, communication and quantitative skills, and working closely with students to develop these skills on applied research questions.

I am currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences at Cleveland State University. Before that, I was an Assistant Professor at St. Mary's College of Maryland, a public honors college. In 2012, I conducted research on invasive goldenrods at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the University of Pecs, supported by a Fulbright Scholar grant. I was a senior project associate and postdoctoral scholar in the Weed Ecology group at Penn State from 2006-2011, working on the human-mediated spread of Japanese stiltgrass. My doctoral work was in the Biology Department at Penn State, focused on the coexistence patterns of two congeneric invasive thistle species. I had previously conducted ecological research on metapopulations at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München while enrolled as a geology student. During my bachelor's degree, in physics and German, I conducted research on crystal growth, which sparked my initial interest in simulation modeling.

Some of my scholarly interests are related to effective teaching in higher education. I received training from the Faculty Institutes for Reforming Science Teaching IV (FIRST IV) program, funded by the National Science Foundation. In recognition of my enthusiastic participation in this program, I was invited to join the leadership team of FIRST IV, and I helped train the next cohort of postdocs as a Regional Team Leader. I was also recognized nationally for my engagement with teaching with as a National Academies Education Fellow in the Life Sciences and twice as an Education Scholar of the Ecological Society of America.
 
Honors and Awards:
Fulbright Scholar
National Academies Education Fellow in the Life Sciences
Ecological Society of America Education Scholar
Cleveland State Faculty Champion
Graduate Student Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
J. Brian Horton Memorial Award in Ecology
 
Teaching Areas:
Biostatistics
Plant Ecology
Invasion Ecology
Ecology and Evolution
Introductory (majors) Biology
Non-majors Biology (Biology of our Changing Planet)
Effective undergraduate biology teaching
 
Professional Affiliations:
Ecological Society of America
National Association of Biology Teachers
International Weed Science Society
Northeastern Weed Science Society
European Weed Research Society
 
Professional Experience:
2020-present Associate Professor of Plant Ecology, Dept. of B.G.E.S., Cleveland State University
2014- 2020 Assistant Professor of Plant Ecology, Dept. of B.G.E.S., Cleveland State University
2012-2014 Assistant Professor of Plant Ecology, St. Mary's College of Maryland
2012 Fulbright Scholar, The Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the University of Pécs, Hungary
2006-2011 Senior Project Associate (previously postdoctoral scholar), Weed Ecology Lab, Penn State University
 
University Service:
Faculty Senator (2020-present)
Academic Standards Committee, College of Science and Health Professions (2020-present)
Curriculum Committee, College of Science and Health Professions (2020-present)
Mandel Honors College Community Scholars Faculty Advisor 2017-present
Advisor, Environmental Science Masters Program, 2016-present
Advisor, Hungarian Student Organization, 2016-2018
Advisor, Student Environmental Movement Club, 2016-2017
Student Success Committee 2017-2019
Graduate Student Awards Committee 2017-2019
Student Life Committee, 2015-2019
Undergraduate Committee on Curriculum and Academic Standards (2019-present)
Graduate Committee on Curriculum and Academic Standards (2017-2019)
Common Reading Committee 2014-2017
Secretary, BGES Department, 2015-2017
General Education Committee, 2015 - 2017
Virtual Lab Committee 2015-2016
 
Professional Service:
Board Member and Research Chair, Ohio Invasive Plants Council
Editorial board member for the Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society and Acta Botanica Hungarica
Contributing editor for EcoEd, the Ecological Society of America's peer-reviewed education resource library
Ad hoc journal reviewer for: Ecology, Journal of Ecology, Journal of Applied Ecology, Biological Invasions, CBE--Life Sciences Education, Scientific Reports, Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, Weed Science, Plant Biology, Environmental Management, Population Ecology, Invasive Plant Science and Management, Plant Biology, Environmental Management, Population Ecology, Weed Research, Molecular Ecology, Ecosphere, National Association of Biology Teachers
National Science Foundation review panel member and ad hoc reviewer
 
Research Grants:
$ 45,140 LI-COR Environmental Education Fund (LEEF) Grant (2016)

$ 5,983 Community associations of the spring ephemeral invasive lesser celandine, Geauga Park District (2016-2017)

$ 324,495  Improving Forest Road Management Techniques to Hinder Plant Invasion to D. Mortensen, E. Rauschert and K. Abbey, USDA NRI (2007- 2011)

$20,000 NASA Space Grant 2004-2006 and 2002-2004