About:
Dr. Samia Hamati is a broadly trained ecologist with a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, mentorship, and research. Her work focuses on how plant–soil–environment interactions shape patterns across population, community, and ecosystem levels. Dr. Hamati is particularly interested in how ecological drivers, ranging from soil properties and microbial dynamics to climate and species interactions, influence plant performance, species dynamics, and contribute to large-scale ecological change.
Dr. Hamati earned her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Kent State University, where she studied the ecophysiology of Juniperus virginiana encroachment in Ohio. She also holds an M.S. in Plant Protection and a B.S. in Agriculture from the American University of Beirut. Before joining the faculty at WVU Tech, Dr. Hamati was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of North Dakota, where she investigated changes in soil health metrics in the context of grassland restoration through the Conservation Reserve Program.
Dr. Hamati is deeply committed to student mentorship and collaborative research. Her interdisciplinary background in ecology, soil science, plant physiology, water quality, and agriculture offer students diverse opportunities for hands-on research across environmental systems, while supporting their development as scientists and critical thinkers.
Courses:
- BIOL 111: General Biology
- BIOL 215: Biology methods
- BIOL 452: Plant Taxonomy
Concentration:
Ecology
Research interests:
- Plant–soil interactions
- Soil health
- Plant ecophysiology
- Invasion ecology
- Restoration ecology
Interested in research?
If you're curious about plant ecology, soil science, or have a project idea of your own, feel free to reach out! I'm always happy to chat with students about research opportunities or help you develop a project that fits your interests.