Professor O’Leary is interested in environmental issues, natural ecosystems, and the interactions between the human race and the natural environment. Her major research interests include sustainable agriculture, water quality, and watershed pollution. She is also interested in the relationship between agriculture and the environment and the links between land use and water resources.

Education:
1990     B.S. University College of Cork, Ireland
1995     Ph.D. Cornell University

Select Publications:
O’Leary, N., Vawter, A.T., Wagenet, L.P., Pfeffer, M.J. “Assessing Water Quality Using Two Taxonomic Levels of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Analysis: Implications for Volunteer Monitors.” Journal of Freshwater Ecology 19:4 (2004): 581-586.

O’Leary, N. & Smith, M.E. “Uncovering Corn Adaptation to Intercrop with Bean by Selecting for System Yield in the Intercrop Environment.” Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 24:3 (2004): 109-121.

Courses Taught:
Environmental Science I & II
Sustainable Agriculture
Microbes and the Environment