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Sherri L. Buerdsell, Ph.D., brings a dynamic blend of scientific expertise and educational innovation to her role as assistant professor of biology, specializing in ecology and conservation biology. With dual doctorates from New Mexico State University (NMSU) ºìÌÒÊÓƵ —one in biology and another in curriculum and instruction, with a focus on critical pedagogies in post-secondary science education, and a graduate minor in experimental statistics, she bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and transformative teaching. 

Her academic career also includes two Master of Science degrees: one in range science from New Mexico State and another in environmental biology from Hood College. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in biology, with an emphasis in ecology, from Susquehanna University. As a specialist in plant invasion and community ecology, Buerdsell ºìÌÒÊÓƵ ’s research is published in several journals, including NeoBiota, The Journal of Arid Environments, and Biosphere.

Her mentorship of student researchers has led to diverse and impactful projects, including exploring the relationship between gypsy moth reproduction and tree species; red fox and swift fox behaviors; stress cortisol levels in roosting bats; grey squirrel seed preference; and post-fire regeneration of plant communities. Besides teaching the General Biology sequence (BIO 101 and 102), Buerdsell also teaches a wide range of courses including Ecology (BIO 314), Invertebrate Zoology (BIO 206), Conservation Biology (BIO 230), Animal Behavior (BIO 220), Botany (BIO 210), Evolution (BIO 309), and Marine Biology (BIO 223).