Melissa Hey

Melissa Hey

  • Lecturer and Course Coordinator, Contexts and Perspectives, Natural and Applied Sciences
  • Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia
  • B.S. in Biology, College of William & Mary

Teaching Interests

Science and Sustainability; Ecology - Principles and Applications

Research Interests

Terrestrial ecology; urban ecology; sensory pollution; undergraduate research and mentorship; STEM education

Bio

Melissa Hey, Ph.D. is an environmental scientist specializing in terrestrial ecology. Her research interests lie in better understanding natural communities and uncovering consequences of anthropogenic stressors. As an instructor she seeks to support student development through conversation, collaboration, and scientific inquiry.

Professional Memberships

  • Council on Undergraduate Research 2020-09-01 - Present
  • Ecological Society of America 2015-05-01 - Present

    • Awards and Honors

  • Moore Research Award, UVA Department of Environmental Sciences
  • Graduate Achievement Award in Ecology, UVA Department of Environmental Sciences
  • Ellison-Edmonson Award, UVA Department of Environmental Sciences
  • Mathes Award, College of William & Mary Biology Departmetn
  • Elizabeth Gardner Norweb Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship, Garden Club of America
  • Honors Fellowship, College of William & Mary

    • Scholarly Contributions and Creative Productions

    Journal Articles

  • Haynes, K. J., Miller, G. D., Perez, M. C., Hey, M. H., Emer, L. K. (2023). Artificial light at night increases the nighttime feeding of monarch butterfly caterpillars without affecting host plant quality. Basic and Applied Ecology, (72) 15-Oct.
  • Hey, M., Epstein, H. E., Haynes, K. J. (2021). Artificial Light at Night Impacts the Litter Layer Invertebrate Community With No Cascading Effects on Litter Breakdown. FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, (9)
  • Hey, M., DiBiase, E., Roach, D. A., Carr, D. E., Haynes, K. J. (2020). Interactions between artificial light at night, soil moisture, and plant density affect the growth of a perennial wildflower. OECOLOGIA, (193) 2 503-510.
  • Kula, Abigail A. R., ., Hey, M., Couture, J. J., Townsend, P. A., Dalgleish, H. J. (2020). Intraspecific competition reduces plant size and quality and damage severity increases defense responses in the herbaceous perennial, Asclepias syriaca. PLANT ECOLOGY, (221) 6 421-430.

    • Digital and Electronic Media, Social Media, Blogs, Podcasts

  • 2024. "AI in Academia: Navigating the Future"

    • Other Scholarly Work

  • Divekar, R., Aljanaideh, A., Hey, M.Designing Experiential Learning in the classroom with Generative Artificial Intelligence. 7 Experiences Summit 2024 .

    • Presentations

  • Hey, M., Divekar, R. (2025). “Designing Experiential Learning in the classroom with Generative Artificial Intelligence​” Presented at the AIxEd Boston MA (Link)
  • Aljanaideh, A., Hey, M., Divekar, R. (2024). “AI in Higher Ed: Preparing the Next Generation” Presented at the Bentley Center for Health & Business, Future Talent Council, Altruistic AI Global AI Summit on Life Sciences Waltham, MA
  • Divekar, R., Hey, M., Aljanaideh, A. (2024). “Designing Experiential Learning in the classroom with Generative Artificial Intelligence” Presented at the 7 Experiences Summit Bentley University (Link)
  • Hey, M., Haynes, K. (2020). “Multi-trophic effects of light pollution in a Virginia grassland” Presented at the Virginia Astronomical Society Virginia Astronomical Society Chapter Meeting Charlottesville, Virginia
  • Hey, M., Haynes, K. (2019). “Effects of light pollution on common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca” Presented at the Virginia Native Plant Society Virginia Native Plant Society Chapter Meeting Charlottesville, Virginia
  • Hey, M., Cullaty, B., Raines, T. (2019). “Promoting self-reflection by faculty in an undergraduate research program: mentor and student outcomes” Presented at the Council on Undergraduate Research CUR URP Conference
  • Hey, M., Haynes, K., Epstein, H. (2018). “Light pollution and faunal community effects on litter decomposition” Presented at the Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) International Conference
  • Hey, M., DiBiase, E., Haynes, K. (2017). “Testing the effects of light pollution on growth and intraspecific competition in common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca” Presented at the Council on Undergraduate Research CUR REU Symposium
  • Hey, M., Okafor, L., Haynes, K. (2017). “Arthropod responses to artificial light at night from two different types of LED bulbs” Presented at the UVA Committee on Sustainability Committee on Sustainability Research Symposium
  • Hey, M., Dalgleish, H., Couture, J. (2015). “Consequences of plant density and natural versus simulated herbivory for common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca” Presented at the ESA ESA Annual Conference

    • Service

    Service: Public

  • Committee Member for Environmental Technology Program Advisory Committee - New Waltham High School 2023-10-16 - Present

    • Service: University

  • Committee Member for Delongchamp Fund Committee Member - Present
  • Committee Member for Context & Perspectives Review Committee - Present