简介

Carol Auer conducts scholarly work on ecological risk assessment and regulation of crops with novel traits. At present, her interdisciplinary research program evaluates the potential ecological risks from genetically engineered grasses used for biofuels and other purposes. These research projects are providing new information about gene flow, pollen aerobiology, interspecific hybridization, plant species distribution, plant communities and habitat suitability models. Results from these projects are important for predictive ecological risk assessments, regulatory decisions and educational programs. Dr. Auer also studies biotechnology policy in the U.S. and other countries. In 2012-2013, she received a Fulbright Fellowship that allowed her to conduct various teaching and outreach programs in Ecuador. Her projects at the Escuela Politécnica de Ejército and other institutions focused on improving understanding of transgenic crops, biosecurity, gene flow and risk assessment frameworks. In 2002-2003, she was the recipient of an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Risk Policy Fellowship that supported work on risk assessment and policy issues at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. Dr. Auer is a frequent speaker on the status of crop biotechnology, ecological risk assessment, and regulation. She conducts an innovative teaching program for undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of transgenic crops, plant physiology, forest ecophysiology and research ethics. She served as Chairperson of the University’s Institutional Biosafety Committee for six years and maintains an active interest in biosecurity issues.