Dr. Lesen's work focuses on the relationship between ecological processes and human social dynamics in coastal cities and coastal communities and how those systems are influenced by climate and environmental change; her current projects are primarily situated in New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana. Dr. Lesen's research program spans multiple academic disciplines including the sociological aspects of biophysical science practice, scientific public engagement, science communication, participatory research, and interdisciplinarity. Dr. Lesen's past research addresses marine fisheries biology and management, as well as marine microbial ecology and food web dynamics focusing on both benthic and planktonic marine protists.