Christy Tyler Headshot

Christy Tyler

Professor

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science

585-475-5042
Office Location

Christy Tyler

Professor

Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences
College of Science

Education

BS, Cornell University; MS, Ph.D., University of Virginia

Bio

Director, Graduate Program in Environmental Science

Tyler received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from Cornell University, her M.S. from the University of Virginia, and her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.

Her research interests include aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry, invasion biology, wetlands, biodiversity - ecosystem function, and aquatic plants. 

585-475-5042

Areas of Expertise

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Moore, E.A., et al. "Spatial Perspective Informs Potential for Nanomaterial Accumulation Risks." Journal of Industrial Ecology. (2020): DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12976. Web.
Badura, G.P., et al. "A Novel Approach for Deriving LAI of Salt Marsh Vegetation Using Structure from Motion and Multi-Angular Spectra." IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing. (2019): 1-15. Print.
Eon, R., et al. "Retrieval of Sediment Filling Factor in a Salt Panne from Multi-View Hyperspectral Imagery." Remote Sensing 12. (2020): 422. Web.
Parthsarathy, A., et al. "Plastic pollution in aquatic and terrestrial environments: Is this a driver for the transmission of pathogens and the evolution of antibiotic resistance?" Environmental Science and Technology 53. (2019): 1744-1745. Print.
Moore, E.A., et al. "Cascading Ecological Impacts of Fullerenes in Freshwater Ecosystems." Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 38. (2019): 1714-1723. Print.
Ponte, S., et al. "Fullerene toxicity in the benthos with implications for freshwater ecosystem services." Science of the Total Environment 687. (2019): 451-459. Print.
Eon, R., et al. "Retrieval of salt marsh above-ground biomass from high-spatial resolution, multi-view hyperspectral imagery using PROSAIL." Remote Sensing 11. (2019): 1385. Web.
Kuntz, K.L. and A.C. Tyler. "Bioturbating Invertebrates Enahnce Decomposition and Nitrogen Cycling in Urban Stormwater Ponds." Journal of Urban Ecology 4. 1 (2018): juy015. Print.
Harrison, M.M., et al. "Phenolic Content of Invasive and Non-invasive Emergent Wetland Plant." Aquatic Botany 136. (2016): 146-154. Print.
R, Morgan R Bida, Anna Christina Tyler, and Todd E Pagano. "The Influence of Watershed Land Use on the Composition of Dissolved Organic Matter Entering Conesus Lake, NY." Journal of Great Lakes Research 41. (2015): 730-742. Print.
Reynolds, Laura K, et al. "Grazers control nitrogen fixation by eelgrass epiphytes in a temperate coastal bay." Marine Ecology Progress Series 526. (2015): 11-19. Print.
Ryen, Erinn, et al. "Community Ecology Perspectives on the Structural and Functional Evolution of Consumer Electronics." Journal of Industrial Ecology 18. (2014): 708-721. Print.
Yarrington, Charles S, Andrew H Altieri, and Anna Christina Tyler. "Non-consumptive Effects of Predators Alter the Ability of Benthic Invertebrates to Modify Sediment Biogeochemistry and Benthic Microalgal Abundance." Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 446. (2013): 253-261. Print.
Premo, Katherine and Anna Christina Tyler. "Threat of Predation Alters the Ability of Benthic Invertebrates to Modify Sediment Biogeochemistry and Benthic Microalgal Abundance." Marine Ecology Progress Series 494. (2013): 29-39. Print.
McLenaghan, N.A., et al. "Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity Regulates Nutrient and Algal Dynamics in a Shallow Estuary." Marine Ecology Progress Series 426. (2011): 171-184. Print.
Published Conference Proceedings
Mahl, U.H., A.C. Tyler, and E.D. Grosholz. "The Impact of Benthic Invertebrates on Porewater Ammonium and Sulfide: Consequences for Spartina Seedling Growth." Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Invasive Spartina. Ed. Ayres, DR, DW Kerr, SD Ericson and PR Olofson. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Publications Limited, 2011. Print.
Tyler, A.C. and E.D. Grosholz. "Spartina Invasion Changes Intertidal Ecosystem Metabolism in San Francisco Bay." Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Invasive Spartina. Ed. Ayres, DR, DW Kerr, SD Ericson and PR Olofson. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Publications Limited, 2011. Print.
Formal Presentation
Bourdon, B.M., A.C. Tyler. “Does Mercenaria mercenaria Influence Benthic Denitrification? Effects of bivalves in different estuarine sediments.”Rochester Academy of Sciences. Rochester, NY. Nov. 2010. Presentation. " 
Burke, S.B., G. Neuderfer, A.C. Tyler. “Role of common benthic macroinvertebrates on nutrient cycling in eutrophic lake sediments.” Rochester Academy of Sciences. Rochester, NY. Nov. 2010. Presentation. " 
Abdul Rahman, S.A., A.C. Tyler, T. Pagano. “Effects of enhanced phenolic dissolved organic carbon on the growth of aquatic plants.” Rochester Academy of Sciences. Rochester, NY. Nov. 2010. Presentation. " 
Scheiner, C., K. Korfmacher, C. Tyler. “Spatial analysis of macroinvertebrates and their effects on eutrophication in a shallow estuary: applying small-scale results to a large scale study.” Great Lakes ResearchConsortium. Syracuse, NY. Mar. 2010. Presentation. " 
Tyler, A.C., A.H. Altieri, J.T. Barnette, E.D. Grosholz, N.A. McLenaghan. “Direct and indirect effects of the mud snail Ilyanassa obsoleta on nutrient availability and algal production.”Benthic Ecology Meeting. Wilmington, NC.Mar. 2010. Presentation. " 
Published Article
Christian, R.R., C.M. Voss, C. Bondavalli, P. Viaroli, M. Naldi, A.C. Tyler, I.C. Anderson, K.J. McGlathery,R.E. Ulanowicz and V. Camacho-Ibar. “Ecosystem Health Indexed throughNetworks of Nitrogen Cycling.” Coastal Lagoons: Critical Habitats of Environmental Change, 2010. n.p. Print. É *

Currently Teaching

BIOL-295
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their first three years of study.
BIOL-298
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their first three years of study.
BIOL-301
1 - 4 Credits
This course allows students to assist in a class or laboratory for which they have previously earned credit. The student will assist the instructor in the operation of the course. Assistance by the student may include fielding questions, helping in workshops, and assisting in review sessions. In the case of labs, students may also be asked to help with supervising safety practices, waste manifestation, and instrumentation.
BIOL-495
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory or field work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
BIOL-498
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their final two years of study.
BIOL-798
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed, graduate level tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum.
CHEM-531
3 Credits
This multidisciplinary course will provide students with diverse perspectives on global climate change issues, providing a survey of important aspects of the problem. Topics include atmospheric chemistry, climate modeling, ecological impacts and feedbacks, economics of climate change, international climate policies, and social and environmental justice. The course will include a variety of instructors and guest lecturers, providing an overview of the complex and inter-related nature of global climate change.
ENVS-298
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their first three years of study.
ENVS-498
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their final two years of study.
ENVS-531
3 Credits
This multidisciplinary course will provide students with diverse perspectives on global climate change issues, providing a survey of important aspects of the problem. Topics include atmospheric chemistry, climate modeling, ecological impacts and feedbacks, economics of climate change, international climate policies, and social and environmental justice. The course will include a variety of instructors and guest lecturers, providing an overview of the complex and inter-related nature of global climate change.
ENVS-551
3 Credits
This course brings together all of the principles of Environmental Science the student has learned during his/her four year undergraduate education at RIT. To accomplish this, students will work in teams to provide solutions to a real environmental problem or issue. In addition to working with RIT faculty, the students will work with practicing environmental scientists and the public. This first course will focus on problem definition, developing a problem solving strategy, and begin data collection and background analyses. Students will present their preliminary findings to the client through presentations and status reports.
ENVS-552
3 Credits
This course continues to bring together all of the principles of Environmental Science the student has learned during his/her four year undergraduate education at RIT as the follow-up to the first capstone course. Students will work in teams to provide solutions to a real environmental problem or issue. In addition to working with RIT faculty, the students will work with practicing environmental scientists and the public. This second course will focus on refining the methodology and strategy proposed to address the environmental issue, continue data collection and background analyses, interpret results, and propose solutions to the assigned problem. Students will generate a final report and present their findings to the clients.
ENVS-615
1 Credits
This graduate seminar course in aquatic ecology will focus on reading and critical evaluation of the peer-reviewed literature, formal and informal communication skills, and discussion of ongoing research in aquatic ecology. This discussion-based course is student lead, and may be retaken for credit.
ENVS-631
3 Credits
This multidisciplinary course will provide students with diverse perspectives on global climate change issues, providing a survey of important aspects of the problem augmented by readings in the primary literature. Topics include atmospheric chemistry, climate modeling, ecological impacts and feedbacks, economics of climate change, international climate policies, and social and environmental justice. The course will include a variety of instructors and guest lecturers, providing an overview of the complex and inter-related nature of global climate change. The course will culminate in a project based on finding solutions to the real-world problem of climate change. Students will be required to take a leadership role in bridging the multiple disciplines presented
ENVS-790
1 - 4 Credits
The thesis option will be available to environmental science graduate students only with prior written approval of program faculty. Students will submit a proposal to a faculty member who agrees to serve as the student's thesis committee chair. The proposal will describe the basic research question to be investigated and the experimental protocols to be employed. Proposals will be reviewed by the program faculty who will give permission to register for thesis credit. This course may be taken several times over the course of a student's graduate program, for variable credits. A written thesis and oral defense are required at the completion of the thesis research.
ENVS-791
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis
ENVS-795
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a graduate level, faculty-directed, student project or research involving laboratory or field work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in Environmental Science graduate program.
ENVS-798
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in the Environmental Science graduate program.
ISUS-791
0 Credits
MS or PhD students requiring additional time to complete their thesis
ISUS-807
1 - 9 Credits
Research in fulfillment of Sustainability Ph.D. dissertation or M.S. capstone requirements.
ISUS-890
1 - 9 Credits
Research fulfillment of Sustainability Ph.D. dissertation requirements.
PUBL-531
3 Credits
This multidisciplinary course will provide students with diverse perspectives on global climate change issues, providing a survey of important aspects of the problem. Topics include atmospheric chemistry, climate modeling, ecological impacts and feedbacks, economics of climate change, international climate policies, and social and environmental justice. The course will include a variety of instructors and guest lecturers, providing an overview of the complex and inter-related nature of global climate change.
PUBL-631
3 Credits
This multidisciplinary course will provide students with diverse perspectives on global climate change issues, providing a survey of important aspects of the problem augmented by readings in the primary literature. Topics include atmospheric chemistry, climate modeling, ecological impacts and feedbacks, economics of climate change, international climate policies, and social and environmental justice. The course will include a variety of instructors and guest lecturers, providing an overview of the complex and interrelated nature of global climate change. The course will culminate in a project based on finding solutions to the real-world problem of climate change. Students will be required to take a leadership role in bridging the multiple disciplines presented.

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