Martha Apple - Department of Biological Sciences

Martha AppleProfessor
Chemistry & Biology Building (CBB) 221
Phone: 406-496-4575
Email: mapple@mtech.edu

Biography

  • Ph.D., Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 1994
  • M.A., Botany, University of Montana, 1985
  • B.A., Botany, University of Montana, 1981
  • B.A., Geography, University of Montana, 1981

Research Interests

The Apple lab's current research interests include investigations of:

  1. The effects of elevated CO2 on plants and mycorrhizal fungi, with contributions to experimental programs at ZERT (Zero Emissions Research and Technology); FACE (Free Air Carbon Enrichment) and TERA (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Associates);
  2. Responses of alpine plants to climate change, for which we have a GLORIA (Global Observational Research Initiative in Alpine Environments) site on four mountain summits in Southwestern Montana; an ongoing study of alpine plants growing on the edges of snowfields that are retreating due to climate change, and research on the role of plant functional traits in determining responses of alpine plants to climate change.

Non-Research Academic Interests

  • The education and mentoring of students
  • Ethnobotany
  • The influence of microbes on human history and culture
  • Pollination biology

Selected Honors & Awards

  • Distinguished Researcher Award, 2011, Montana Tech
  • National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, 1995-98
  • University of Rhode Island Graduate Fellowship, 1990

Career in Brief

  • Professor, Biological Sciences, Montana Tech. 2014-present.
  • Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Montana Tech. 2006-2014.
  • Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences, Montana Tech. 2003-2006.
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Biology, Central Washington University, 2003.
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Nevada, Reno. 2001-2002.
  • Courtesy Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Forest Sciences, Oregon State University. 1999-2000.
  • NRC Postdoctoral Research Associate, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Western Ecology Research Laboratory, 1995-1998.
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI. 1992.

Career in Brief

  • Professor, Biological Sciences, Montana Tech, 2014-present
  • Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Montana Tech, 2006-2014
  • Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences, Montana Tech, 2003-2006
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Biology, Central Washington University, 2003
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Nevada, Reno, 2001-2002
  • Courtesy Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Forest Sciences, Oregon State University, 1999-2000
  • NRC Postdoctoral Research Associate, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Western Ecology Research Laboratory, 1995-1998
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI. 1992

Courses Taught

  • Plant Ecology
  • Plant Ecology Lab
  • Plant Physiology
  • Plant Physiology Lab
  • General Microbiology
  • Microbiology for Health Sciences
  • Introduction to Biodiversity Lab
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Graduate Research

Selected Publications

Sharma, B., Apple, M.E., Zhou, X., Olson, J.M., Dorshorst, C., Dobeck, L.M., Cunningham, A.B., and Spangler, L.H. 2014. Physiological responses of dandelion and orchard grass leaves to experimentally released upwelling soil CO2. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control (24): 139-148.

Apple, M.E., 2014. Alpine Plants and Climate Change. Montana Professor, (24)1:11-14.

Apple, M.E. 2012. Measuring Impacts to Rare Peripheral Arctic-Alpine Plants at the Edges of Permanent Snowfields/Glaciers that are Receding due to Climate Change in Glacier National Park. RM-CESU Report P12AC10557, MT-02.

Clark, N.M., Apple, M.E., and Nowak, R.S. 2010. The effects of elevated CO2 on root respiration rates of two Mojave Desert shrubs. Global Change Biology (2010) 16, 1566–1575, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.02075.x

Apple, M.E. 2010. Aspects of Mycorrhizae in Desert Plants, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-02550-1_6

Personal Interests

Martha enjoys reading, writing, painting, drawing, photography, skiing, bicycling, hiking, walking and swimming.