• PhD., Plant Physiology, Ecology minor, Pennsylvania State University-University Park, 2001
• B.S., Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1993
  

• Plant physiological ecology & comparative biology of belowground plant form and function
• Plant functional roles in communities
• Plant evolutionary ecology & root-fungal coevolution
  

Reseach and Student Projects:

Synergistic Activities:

• Faculty, Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology (http://www.huck.psu.edu/education/ecology)
• Program Coordinator for ClearWater Conservancy’s  Growing Native Program (http://www.clearwaterconservancy.org/riparian_restoration.htm)
• MORPH Fellow (http://www.colorado.edu/eeb/MORPH/ )
• Ecological Society of America (ESA) Seeds Mentor (http://www.esa.org/seeds/)

1. Comas LH, Callahan HS and Eissenstat DM.  Submitted.  Fine root trait diversity among 25 co-existing temperate woody species: ecological implications for plant and mycorrhizal fungal interactions.
2. Comas LH, Goslee SC, Skinner RH and Sanderson MA.  Submitted.  Identifying potential species effects and tradeoffs in ecosystem functions.
3. Goslee SC and Comas LH.  Submitted.  Measuring functional diversity in managed ecoystems. 
4. Comas LH, Anderson LJ, Dunst RM, Lakso AN, and Eissenstat DM.  2005.  Canopy and environmental control of root dynamics in a long-term study of ‘Concord’ grape.  New Phytologist  167: 829-840.
5. Comas LH and Eissenstat DM.  2004.  Linking fine root traits to maximum potential growth rate among eleven mature temperate tree species.  Functional Ecology  18: 388-397.
6. Anderson LJ, Comas LH, Eissenstat DM, and Lakso AN.  2003.  Multiple risk factors in root survivorship: a four-year study in Concord grape.  New Phytologist  158: 489-501.
7. Comas LH, Bouma TJ, and Eissenstat DM.  2002.  Linking root traits to potential growth rate in six temperate tree species.  Oecologia  132: 34-43.