National Taitung university

Ecology, Molecular phylogenetics and Evolution

Pei-Luen Lu
https://ils.nttu.edu.tw/p/404-1020-62812.php

Research Field

Biology

Introduction

Dr. Pei-Luen Lu.

Associate  Professor
Department  of  Life  Science, National  Taitung  University

Dr. Stacy Lu is a dedicated researcher and educator with a strong background in botany, ecological conservation, and sustainability science. With expertise spanning molecular systematics, plant ecology, population genetics, and ecosystem dynamics, Stay Lu has led numerous interdisciplinary projects focusing on biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, and environmental sustainability.

A key area of research is blue carbon ecosystems, particularly seagrass ecology and carbon sequestration, aiming to enhance our understanding of their role in climate change mitigation. Stacy Lu also works extensively on invasive species management, wetland ecology, and water quality assessment, contributing to the protection and restoration of fragile ecosystems.

Beyond research, Dr. Stacy Lu is committed to environmental education and community engagement, advocating for the integration of scientific knowledge into policy and conservation strategies. Through collaborations with academia, government agencies, and local communities, Dr. Stacy Lu seeks to bridge science and society, fostering long-term ecological resilience and sustainable development.

Laboratory Introduction

Our laboratory is dedicated to advancing scientific research in plant biology, ecological conservation, and sustainability. We integrate multiple disciplines, including botany, biostatistics, molecular systematics, plant ecology, population genetics, and molecular evolution, to explore the diversity, adaptation, and evolutionary relationships of plant species.

We are also deeply involved in ecosystem studies, ethnobotany, biodiversity conservation, invasive species management, habitat restoration, wetland ecology, and water quality assessment. Our research extends to insect physiological ecology, carbon sequestration, and sustainable science, aiming to understand and mitigate environmental challenges.

A key focus of our work is on seagrass ecology and blue carbon ecosystems, emphasizing their role in carbon storage, coastal resilience, and marine biodiversity. Through environmental education and conservation initiatives, we strive to bridge the gap between science and society, fostering awareness and action for a sustainable future.

By combining field investigations, laboratory analyses, and statistical modeling, our research provides crucial insights for ecosystem conservation and sustainable development. We welcome collaborations and interdisciplinary approaches to address pressing environmental issues.


Research Topics
  1. Blue carbon
  2. Biodiversity
  3. Molecular Evolution
  4. Phylogenetics and systematics
  5. Ecology
  6. Seagrass Biology
  7. Wetland
  8. Moths and Insect physiology Ecology
  9. Science Education
  10. Environment Science
  11. Sustainability
  12. Culture and Art

Honor

Awards

  1. Received the 2025 Outstanding Advisor Award at National Taitung University.
  2. Serving as a Board Director of the Taiwan Wetland Society from April 27, 2024, to April 26, 2027.
  3. Awarded the Gold Winner in the 2023 London Design Awards, Architectural Design – Public Art & Public Art Installation category. (The award-winning work is titled "Layered Mountains.")
  4. Received the 2023 Taitung Earth Art Award - Earth Cluster Award. (The award-winning work is titled "Layered Mountains.")
  5. Awarded the 2023 Eastern Taiwan Mother Tongue Promotion Program's Excellence Award.
  6. Awarded the 2023 Eastern Taiwan Mother Tongue Promotion Program's Exhibition Design Award.
  7. Received the 2021 Outstanding Advisor Award at National Taitung University.
  8. Received the 2021 Outstanding Advisor Award at College of Science and Engineering, National Taitung University.
  9. Guided students from National Taitung Girls' Senior High School to win the Gold Medal in the poster competition at the 2021 Taiwan-Thailand Joint Conference on Bio-Medical Technology (TTBMT).
  10. Received the 2019 Outstanding Advisor Award at National Taitung University.
  11. Received the 2019 Outstanding Advisor Award at College of Science and Engineering, National Taitung University.
  12. Guided student Zeng from the Department of Life Sciences, National Taitung university to win the Distinguished Award in the student poster competition at the 2019 Cross-Strait Wetland Joint Conference organized by the Taiwan Wetland Society.
  13. Awarded the International Botanical Congress 2017 Excellent Scholar Award by the International Botanical Society.

Educational Background

Education

PhD in Botany; University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii, USA 

Bachelor of Science in Life Science, graduated with honors; National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.