Dr. Chelse Prather is an Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Biology Coordinator at the University of Dayton, where she leads the Insect Ecology Lab. Her research explores how insects and other organisms respond to changing landscapes—from forests and grasslands to solar arrays and urban environments—with a focus on biodiversity, ecosystem function, and the relationship between people and nature. Through both research and teaching, she helps students and communities better understand how ecological science can inform the design of more resilient and sustainable cities.