Lili Lei

Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science

o: Guion Science Center 123

B.S., Forestry Sciences | Central South University of Forestry and Technology, China
M.S., Silviculture | China Forestry Science Academe
Ph.D., Plant and Soil Sciences | West Virginia University

My teaching and research endeavor focus on elucidating the impact of human agricultural management practices on plant, soil, and surface water quality in order to develop sustainable agricultural management practices that benefit both humans and the environment. I utilize geographic information systems (GIS), plant and soil nutrient management, soil health and surface water quality assessment, and environmental remediation in my teaching and research to address these topics.

Courses Taught

BIOL 214 Plant Kingdom
BIOL 324 Ecology
BIOL 111 Introduction to organisms
BIOL 113 Introductory Lab Techniques
ENVR 205 Environmental Field Methods
ENVR 216 Mapping and GIS
ENVR 344 Environmental Chemistry
CORE 160 STEM in society

Publications

Lei, L., Thompson, J. A., & McDonald, L. M. (2022). Soil Organic Carbon Pools and Indices in Surface Soil: Comparing a Cropland, Pasture, and Forest Soil in the Central Appalachian Region, West Virginia, USA. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 53(1), 17-29.
Leaseburg EE, Lei L, Fink LS. (2022). Effects of Organic Amendments on Phenol Oxidase, Peroxidase, Urease, and Nitrogen Mineralization: A Laboratory Incubation Study. Agrochemicals. 1(1):3-16.Lei L, Holásková I, Thompson JA, McDonald LM. (2022).
Fe-Bound Organic Carbon and Sorption of Aromatic Dissolved Organic Carbon in Surface Soil: Comparing a Forest, a Cropland, and a Pasture Soil in the Central Appalachian Region, West Virginia, U.S.A. (2022). Environments. 9(9):113.
Lei, L., Thompson, J.A. & McDonald, L.M. (2020). Assessment of dissolved organic carbon and iron effects on water color between a forest and pasture-dominated fine-scale catchment in a Central Appalachian region, West Virginia. Environ Science Pollution Research 27, 29464–29474.
Liu, M., Lu, W., Ku, K. M., Zhang, L., Lei, L., & Zong, W. (2020). Ultrasonic-assisted extraction and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides leaf. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 33(2): 581-588.
Lei L., and L. McDonald. 2019. Soil Moisture and Temperature Effects on Nitrogen Mineralization from Soil with or without Crop Residues. Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 50(17): 2140-2150.
For the full publication list, please see my Google Scholar profile.

My current research interests include plant reproductive biology as well as plant and soil ecology. Specifically, land-use management practices on ecological functions of the various agricultural ecosystems, for example, carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry. I have experience in applying plant and soil science concepts in answering a wide range of agricultural and environmental-related questions: surface water pollution; productivity of horticultural crops, and soil sustainability.

I enjoy teaching courses including introductory biology, geographic information systems, and future plant and environmental science-related courses to equip students with skills to address these topics. I am a naturalist who loves to immerse myself in nature and educate students to learn how plant and soil ecology benefit our society. The 2850-acre campus is a great place with abundant resources to explore all kinds of interesting things with students.