Emily Ury, PhD

I am an applied ecologist, broadly interested in ecological restoration, nature-based solutions to environmental problems, and ecological responses to global change. Wetlands are a major theme within my work, as these ecosystems are both highly vulnerable to global change and uniquely valuable solutions to many environmental problems. I study the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in wetlands, as well as their geographical distribution and how their position within the landscape affects their ecological function.  I use a combination of empirical methods, including field and lab experiments, as well as spatial modeling across a wide range of scales to understand the interactions between biogeochemical and landscape processes in the context of environmental problems and their solutions. Outcomes of my research can be directly applied for ecological management and maximizing environmental outcomes through strategic restoration.

I am currently a Cooley Postdoctoral Science Fellow at the Environmental Defense Fund. Previously I held a postdoctoral position in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Waterloo in Ontario working in conjunction with Ducks Unlimited Canada. 

I earned a PhD in 2021 from Duke University where I was jointly in the Bernhardt Lab and the Wright Lab.  For updates from the field and the lab, follow me on Twitter @EmilyUry.