Dr. Lerch's research interests include determination of sorption and transport mechanisms of herbicides and herbicide metabolites in soil and aquatic environments, and determination of parameters controlling herbicide contamination of streams.

Dr. Lerch also serves as a member of MOKEG (Missouri Karst Ecosystem Group) for the research project Water Quality and Aquatic Biological Assessment of Hunter’s and Devil’s Icebox Caves, Boone County, Missouri.