Personal profile
Research Interests
James Elser investigates the theory of biological stoichiometry the study of the balance of energy and multiple chemical elements in living systems. He and his international team of collaborators seek to understand how the coupling of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus shapes the ecology and evolution of living things. To do so, Elser and colleagues work with a diversity of ecosystems (from lakes and deserts, to hot springs and grasslands), biota (plankton to insects, and pandas to tumors), and approaches (laboratory chemostats, field experiments and mathematical models). As director of the Flathead Lake Biological Station, this work now heavily features work in mountain lakes in western Montana but also mountain lakes in other regions, such as Qinghai (China) and Patagonia (Argentina).
Elser played a major role in establishing ASU's Sustainable Phosphorus Initiative and is now the lead investigator for an NSF Research Coordination Network on Phosphorus Sustainability. Through these efforts, he seeks to help create a sustainable food system by closing the human P cycle.
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, University of California at Davis
Bachelor, University of Notre Dame
Master, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
External positions
Research Professor, Arizona State University
Free-text Keywords
- limnology
- ecology
- evolution
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Interpretable data-driven modeling of total phosphorus dynamics from 2005 to 2024 in a large shallow lake
Lin, W., Zhou, Y., Ren, Z., Zou, W., Guo, H., Li, N., Zhang, Y., Elser, J., Woolway, R. I., Shi, K., Zhu, G., Qin, B. & Xue, Y., Mar 1 2026, In: Water Research. 291, 125169.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Scopus citations -
Patterns of Nutrient Limitation of Phytoplankton in Mountain Lakes Using a Hierarchical Modelling Approach
Vanderwall, J., Little, N., Turner, H. & Elser, J. J., Jan 2026, In: Freshwater Biology. 71, 1, e70173.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Scopus citations -
A critical eutrophication–climate change link
Scholz, M. J., Obenour, D. R., Morrison, E. S. & Elser, J. J., Jan 17 2025, In: Nature Sustainability. 8, 3, p. 222-223 2 p., 1375.Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
16 Scopus citations -
Community-driven variations in snow algae color modulate snow albedo reduction
Almela, P., Elser, J. J., Zmuda, A., Niehaus, T. & Hamilton, T. L., Nov 25 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: New Phytologist. 249, 4, p. 1739-1752 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Editorial: Advances in ecological stoichiometry
Meunier, C. L., Buchkowski, R., Elser, J. J., Laspoumaderes, C., Metson, G. S., Sethna, L. R. & Boersma, M., Jun 8 2025, In: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 13, 1632107.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial
Open Access