Lehigh University researcher and assistant professor of Earth and environmental sciences, Michelle Spicer, who earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Lehigh in 2012 and 2014 respectively, conducts extensive field studies examining canopy plants and forest ecosystems. Her work ranges from the living laboratories on Lehigh’s campus to tropical rainforests and temperate woodlands, investigating how plant and microbial communities adapt to warmer and drier environmental conditions driven by global climate shifts. For students looking into advanced scientific programs and preparing competitive applications, reviewing Ivy League strategies can offer helpful context on how top-tier institutions value rigorous undergraduate research experiences.

A major focus of Spicer’s scientific inquiry centers on epiphytes, which are canopy plants such as orchids, bromeliads, and aroids that grow on other vegetation rather than rooting directly in the ground soil. These specific plants possess a distinct sensitivity to moisture levels and ambient temperatures, positioning them as valuable biological indicators for tracking how broader forest ecosystems react to a changing climate. Spicer notes that canopy plants offer clear insights into planetary changes, plant reactions, and future biodiversity shifts. Tropical rainforests feature sharp environmental gradients where less than one percent of sunlight reaches the lower understory, whereas high canopy zones expose flora to intense solar radiation, raised temperatures, and drier atmospheric conditions. This dynamic creates an ideal model system for observing organisms pushed into harsher thermal environments.

Spicer currently oversees two distinct epiphyte field investigations operating across varied geographic locations, including the temperate Hoh Rain Forest in Washington state and diverse tropical forests located in Panama. Her research teams evaluate how epiphyte communities establish themselves and recover from environmental disruptions across shaded understory settings versus exposed upper canopy environments. Plans for the upcoming summer involve returning to Washington with an undergraduate researcher and a technical assistant to survey established long-term study plots. Additionally, a newer initiative based in Panama receives support from a National Science Foundation grant, extending the scope of investigation beyond plant surfaces to examine subterranean and bark-dwelling microbial populations.

Collaborating with fellow researchers Jane Lucas and Evan Gora from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Spicer explores how soil and canopy microbes shift across vertical forest gradients. Field experiments take place within Santa Fe National Park in Panama, where Spicer has conducted fieldwork for roughly ten years, alongside laboratory analyses performed at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Initial findings indicate that microbial communities thriving in shaded understory layers often disappear in sunlit canopy regions, replaced entirely by different microbial groups adapted to harsher exposure. When students design personal statements for selective programs, admissions committees frequently look for genuine engagement in scientific inquiry similar to these collaborative field projects.

Additional preliminary data stem from experiments involving the physical relocation of epiphyte clusters between different canopy heights to monitor how they adjust to unfamiliar microclimates. Results indicate that certain species bounce back rapidly following a disturbance, whereas others located in hot, dry canopy zones struggle significantly to recover. As global climate patterns continue shifting, these findings suggest that vulnerable plant populations may encounter mounting challenges when attempting to rebound from environmental stressors. For those evaluating academic pathways, understanding these research methodologies is essential. To read the full announcement or check additional updates, visit the official portal.

On Lehigh’s Mountaintop campus, a specialized greenhouse operational for a full year enables hands-on, student-led research experiments. The research team cultivates miniature models of tropical systems, maintaining controlled environments that replicate the fluctuating light and moisture found in natural forest canopies. This setup directly engages researchers at all academic levels with global ecological questions and the broader implications of environmental change. Spicer highlights the value of maintaining accessible regional projects right in Pennsylvania that address local challenges related to forest diversity and ecosystem health.

Alongside her ecological field investigations, Spicer has contributed to a collaborative academic community among environmental scientists at Lehigh. Having completed her own training at the university, she maintains strong ties with faculty mentors such as department chair Robert Booth, who taught her as a student and now serves alongside her as a faculty colleague. The Earth and environmental sciences department includes Spicer, Booth, and assistant professor John Paul Balmonte, forming a trio of ecologists working across different temporal scales and natural systems. These faculty members convene regularly for ecology meetings to exchange scientific insights and support a collaborative atmosphere for participating students who share a deep passion for environmental science.

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