Hi, Im Blaire Kleiman, PHD Candidate
About
I’m a scientist and PhD researcher at Florida International University, studying plant-insect ecology. My research interests cover plant-insect interactions and ecological interactions among multi-trophic systems. In particular, my research focuses on agricultural systems and using beneficial insects to enhance sustainability of farms, both by assessing ecological interactions and looking at methods of conservation for insect and plant biodiversity. My PhD research studies how climate change and farm management affect insects, particularly pollinators, for vegetable crop production. My work combines field experiments, growth-chamber studies, and grower collaborations to support resilient, sustainable food systems.
I am a PhD candidate in Earth Systems Science, Natural Resources Science and Agroecology at Florida International University, where my research focuses on how heat stress affects zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo) and its pollinators. My dissertation examines how rising temperatures influence plant traits, flower production, pollinator behavior, and overall pollination success in tropical and subtropical agricultural systems.
My research integrates field experiments, growth-chamber studies, and laboratory assays to understand how environmental stress reshapes plant–insect interactions. I am especially interested in how heat alters floral resources and pollinator activity, with direct implications for crop productivity and food system resilience under climate change.
Before beginning my doctoral research, I completed a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Agroecology at FIU, where my thesis examined how weed communities influence crop–insect interactions in South Florida mango farms. This work sparked my long-term focus on beneficial insects, pollination, and applied agricultural ecology.
In addition to my research, I am actively involved in teaching and mentorship at FIU, where I teach laboratory courses in ecology and physical geology and mentor undergraduate students in field ecology, data collection, and experimental design. I also participate in community outreach and environmental education, working with K-12 Food Forest Gardens with Dr. Cara Rockwell, schools, and community partners to share knowledge about pollinators, agriculture, and South Florida ecosystems. I am also involved with the FIU Agroecology Program and the Jayachandran Soil-Plant Lab and the FIU Organic Garden, where I support experiential learning and student engagement in sustainable food systems.
Across my work, I aim to better understand how climate extremes reshape ecological relationships within food systems (see Stacy Philpott's work at UC Santa Cruz, Jake Bishop University of Reading UK, and Neal Williams UC Davis), while contributing to education and public engagement around sustainable agriculture and environmental change.
FIU Organic Garden
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) in a squash blossom
Monarch caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) feeding on tropical milkweed (Calotropis gigantea)
