Faculty Bio

Amy L. Downing

Alumni Professor of Biological Sciences

Education

• B.A., Lawrence University
• M.S., University of Chicago
• Ph.D., University of Chicago

About

Amy Downing’s research examines how biological diversity and the loss of species influence ecosystem processes and ecosystem stability, with a focus on freshwater ecosystems. She approaches these questions experimentally by manipulating the diversity and composition of pond food webs in experimental ponds (cattle tanks) at the OWU Kraus Nature Preserve. Current work is focused on characterizing how the population dynamics of individual species in ecosystems interact to influence the stability of aggregate properties of ecosystems. She is the author of 20 articles and book chapters, has been involved in several international collaborations investigating the effects of biodiversity loss on ecosystems, and her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation.

Areas of Interest / Expertise

• Conservation biology
• Marine biology
• Invertebrate zoology
• Animals and their environment
• Freshwater ecology

Winner of the 2007 Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for Encouragement of Teachers