Dr. Sher is a plant ecologist and author with a particular interest in conservation issues and expertise in ecology and restoration of Tamarix (tamarisk, saltcedar) invaded areas. She is a full professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, where she teaches Conservation Biology and seminars in specialized topics, including invasion ecology and advanced research design and statistical analysis. Dr. Sher is the lead author for two leading college textbooks: An Introduction to Conservation Biology and Ecology: Concepts and Applications. For 7 years, Dr. Sher was also the Director of Research and Conservation at the Denver Botanic Gardens. 

Curriculum Vitae

Recent Journal Publications (# citations >3,000; h-index= 25, i10-index=38): Google Scholar list of all publications

* indicates a student or postdoc mentee, underline indicates corresponding/senior author when not first author

1. AP Christie, D Abecasis, M Adjeroud, JC Alonso, T Amano, A Anton, ... 2020. Quantifying and addressing the prevalence and bias of study designs in the environmental and social sciences Nature communications 11 (1), 1-11
2. E Gonzalez, V Martinez-Fernandez, PB Shafroth, AA Sher, AL Henry, ... 2020. Regeneration of Salicaceae riparian forests in the Northern Hemisphere: A new framework and management tool (vol 218, pg 374, 2018)
   JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 275
3. AA Sher, L Clark, AL Henry, ARB Goetz, E González, A Tyagi, I Simpson, ... 2020. The human element of restoration success: manager characteristics affect vegetation recovery following invasive Tamarix control
   Wetlands 40 (6), 1877-1895
4. Clark, L.*, E. González, A. Henry, R. Lave, N. Sayre, A. Sher. 2020. A solution to treat mixed-type human datasets from socio-ecological systems.
5. Clark, L.*, A. Henry*, E. González, R. Lave, N. Sayre, A. Sher. 2019. Information exchange between restoration scientists and managers benefits from a two- way street: a case study in the American Southwest. Restoration Ecology
6. Henry, A., E. González E, W.W. Robinson, B. Bourgeois, A. Sher. 2018. Spatial modeling improves understanding patterns
of invasive species defoliation by a biocontrol herbivore. Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-018-1794-0
7. González E., V. Martínez-Fernández, P.B. Shafroth, A. Sher, A.L. Henry, V. Garófano-Gómez, Dov Corenblit. 2018. Regeneration of Salicaceae Riparian Forests in the Northern Hemisphere: A New Framework and Management Tool. Journal of Environmental Management 218:374-387.
8. Sher, A.A., El Waer*, E. González*, R. Anderson*, A.L. Henry*, R Biedron*, P. Yue*. 2018. Native species recovery after reduction of an invasive tree by biological control with and without active removal. Ecological Engineering 111:167-175

Directions: From I 25, take the University Ave exit and go South 1/2 mile, Right on E. Illif. The "Boettcher Center" are two rectangular buldings on left, just before intersection with Race St; clink link below to see map.  Boettcher West is the buidling parallel with the mountains. Parking: in lot across the street (pay at kiosk), or on street if you can find it. Most areas are time limited, see signs.

What Do Invasive Plants Have to Teach Us About Empowerment?

Colorado Public Radio interviews Dr. Sher for "Colorado Matters" on the impact of the biological control beetle.

For more information about specific projects, click HERE for the Sher Lab site.

Dr. Sher is a founding member of DU's Ecology and Evolution group (DUEEB). 

Dr. Sher's Biology Department page

Dr. Sher is now the lead author of the tesxtbook series Ecology: Concepts and Applications (McGraw-Hill Education), now in its 9th edition. This edition features hundreds of updates, including over 100 new citations by historically underrepresented scientists.

Dr. Sher  has been awarded both the 2020 DU Distinguished Scholar Award and the Robin Morgan Outstanding Faculty Woman Award (pictured above). She has been the lead of the recently awarded NSF ADVANCE grant, a program to increase hiring, retention, and promotion of women and other underrepresented faculty in STEM.

This is an extensively updated version, with a particular emphasis on modern issues and approaches, and diversity at all levels, including the diversity of people who do conservation biology. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and impacts on indigenous people is given special attention. For more information (including ordering), see: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/an-introduction-to-conservation-biology-9780197564370?q=anna%20sher&lang=en&cc=us

Dr. Sher and colleague Dr. Martin Quigley have edited the first ever volume devoted to the ecology of the genus Tamarix: A Case Study of Ecological Change in the American West.  It is available on Amazon and directly from Oxford University Press. 

This important guide was published by Denver Botanic Gardens. Printed copies can be purchased from RiversEdge West's online store .  A digital version is also now available free of charge from RiversEdge West.