Hello, and thanks for visiting my site!  I am currently an associate professor of biology at St. Ambrose University, having earned my PhD in Ecology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

My primary research interest is community ecology, emphasizing invasive species ecology.  Invasive exotic species have many impacts on our natural communities and provide useful opportunities to learn about the mechanisms that drive and maintain community structure. In addition, I prioritize effective and engaging biology instruction, emphasizing experiential learning in both the classroom and my undergraduate research mentorship to best connect with student scientists.

If you’d like to learn more, feel free to explore the tabs at the top of this page or contact me with more questions (info on the right)!

Tarasi CV Last updated 17 Nov 2022.