Dr. Mark Lara

Associate Professor

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Biography

Mark Jason Lara is an Associate Professor in the School of Integrative Biology at Illinois University. His research focuses on advancing the understanding of Arctic and Boreal ecosystems, particularly how these permafrost landscapes respond to climate change and disturbance events such as permafrost degradation, wildfire, and herbivory. He emphasizes the complexities of ecosystem responses, which can vary dramatically in space and time. His work involves disentangling these ecological puzzles through multi-scale observation and employs a trifecta of methods including ground-based monitoring, aerial and satellite remote sensing, and empirical, machine-learning, and process-based modeling. Lara's contributions to geographic information science and his interdisciplinary approach to studying landscape dynamics are notable.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.