Anita Simha

Hometown: I grew up mostly in Cary, North Carolina, and I claim Durham as home too

Past experiences: I came to LSU as a postdoctoral researcher after completing my PhD at Duke. I got my bachelor’s degree at UNC, so my basketball loyalties lie with the Tar Heels.

Research interests: I am interested in how ecological history shapes plant communities. I study both short-term legacies, like the effects of germination order on species interactions, and longer-term legacies, like the effects of past fire on plant community responses to future fire. I also explore ongoing legacies of colonialism, plantation slavery, and patriarchy in the field of ecology using insights from de-/postcolonial feminist science studies.

Projects: In the Kandlikar lab, I look forward to investigating how soil microbial legacies affect woody encroachment in fire-suppressed longleaf pine savanna.

Check out my website anitasimha.com for more information about me.