Home | Welcome To LEAP at The University of Illinois Chicago

HOME - About LEAP

LEAP is a new multidisciplinary program at the University of Illinois at Chicago focused on understanding ecological processes in human-altered landscapes. We seek to integrate a variety of scientific disciplines with relevant economic and social sciences disciplines, with the overarching goal of improving the integration of human activities with those of native species, natural communities, and ecosystems. By combining applied research with basic theory, integrating community and species level approaches, networking with stewardship professionals and other stakeholders, and being involved in outreach activities, we will produce graduates better prepared to effectively protect and enhance biodiversity.

LEAP is funded by the National Science Foundation via an Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) grant. The grant provides IGERT fellowships to 25 Ph.D. candidates over a five-year period, as well as supporting a new curriculum and internship training for students.

Integral to LEAP is the participation of several area Chicago area partners, including the Chicago Botanic Garden, Field Museum, the Chicago Division of the Army Corp of Engineers, the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Illinois Natural History Survey, The Morton Arboretum, the USDA Forest Service and Chicago Wilderness.

«« LEAP Welcome Dr. Emily Minor to our Faculty»»

see News & Events for additional information

An IGERT program. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation nsf logo