Gaiser appointed executive director of School of Environment, Arts and Society

Evelyn Gaiser has been appointed executive director of FIU’s School of Environment, Arts and Society (SEAS) and associate dean in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Since July 2014, Gaiser has served as the interim executive director of SEAS. She replaces Mike Heithaus, who was appointed dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

Evelyn Gaiser, exectuive director of the School of Environment, Arts and Society in the College of Arts & Sciences

While interim executive director, Gaiser helped advance key initiatives in SEAS including the launch of the International Center for Tropical Botany and a new partnership with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. During that time, she has also represented FIU on a national stage on issues related to sea level rise, the Everglades and more.

“Dr. Gaiser has proven throughout her career the abilities to lead, provide vision and foster engagement at all levels,” Heithaus said. “She is the perfect person to guide SEAS’ bold mission to be a globally impactful solutions center for the environment and society.”

An experienced researcher and faculty member, Gaiser has served as the Lead Principal Investigator of the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program since 2007. In this capacity, Gaiser has actively built and led interdisciplinary research groups that integrate the natural and social sciences and developed effective communication strategies to ensure that solutions to environmental challenges are implemented. In addition, Gaiser has helped to cultivate impressive K-12 programs within the LTER program and, through a unique partnership with the Tropical Botanic Artists, engaged the community with FCE LTER research in innovative ways.

An internationally recognized scholar in wetland and aquatic ecology, Gaiser specializes in algal community structure in lakes and wetlands. She has authored more than 70 publications and been awarded nearly $25 million for her research during the past two decades including a $5.88 million grant renewal for the FCE LTER program in 2012.

Gaiser is currently the associate editor of Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution and Wetlands, and has served as a special issue editor for several publications. She continues to serve on the executive boards of the National Long-Term Ecological Research Network and the International Association of Diatom Research. She also serves on the steering committee of the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network.

With a special focus on applying science beyond the classroom, Gaiser has actively worked with national and local governments to integrate scientific research into policy decisions. She served on the Science Advisory Committee for the National Ecological Observatory Network Southeast Domain from 2009 – 2011, was a water quality criterion advisor to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from 2005-2008, and participated in the Everglades Integrative Assessment Team for the South Florida Water Management District from 2001 – 2005.

Her exemplary work has earned Gaiser the 2012 FIU Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activities, the 2008 FIU Faculty Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship, the 2006 FIU Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the 2005 FIU Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.

Gaiser earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Kent State University, a Master of Science in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University, and a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Georgia where she was awarded the Sigma Xi Outstanding Graduate Research Award.

When not in the lab or classroom, Gaiser is a classically trained vocalist and enjoys singing, woodworking, and spending time with her family in Ohio and on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario.