Author: jcoker

Categories
Uncategorized

“Flip-the-Fair” science fair event scheduled for Saturday, February 5th!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

January 12, 2022

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

A group of Interface of Global Change Fellows will hold an innovative “Flip the Fair” public outreach event as part of their IGC Capstone Project!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”59810″ img_size=”large” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The Flip the Fair event, organized and facilitated by VT graduate students, and sponsored by the Center for Communicating Science, Global Change Center, Communicating Science Club, and the Roanoke City Public Libraries, will be held on February 5th from 1-3pm at the Melrose Branch Library in Roanoke, VA. This event is a science fair for VT graduate students to present their research on tri-fold posters, and be judged by 3rd-5th grade elementary students from the Roanoke area.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Calling All 3rd-5th Grade Judges! 

Organizers are in the process of recruiting child judges from local Roanoke schools, and wanted to extend the invitation to all VT faculty and staff who have children within these grade levels. All child judges must be registered in advance (deadline January 19th). Please fill out the this form (and circle the time frame, 1-2pm or 2-3pm, that your child will be attending), and return the form to any of the Roanoke City public libraries or to the contact emails listed on the form.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]**This is a mandatory-mask-wearing event, and all COVID safety guidelines will be followed to protect all presenters, volunteers, judges, and their families. There is no cost to register, but there is an expectation of having a lot of fun learning about scientific research at VT!

Questions about the event can be directed to IGC Fellow Amanda Hensley at amandaah@vt.edu.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Announcements Blog GSO IGC Interfaces of Global Change IGEP

IGC Fellows enjoy coffee and a chat with GCC Affiliate Dr. Ryan Calder

[vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”58735″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]

December 14, 2021

It was quite the blustery morning for three IGC fellows, Jennifer Brousseau, Tyler Weiglein, and Isaac VanDiest, to grab a coffee with GCC Affiliate and Assistant Professor of Environmental Health and Policy Dr. Ryan Calder. It was a delightful time that covered topics such as where you can find a warm place in Canada, how to tailor work to various audiences,  and how the science-policy relationship varies greatly by field and location. As this was the last IGC coffee conversation before the semester ends and we all were gearing up for conferences, reflection on the past year and our desire to get back to presenting work in person were also topics of conversation.

Dr. Calder’s work was of particular interest to the three of us, each of who has a desire to use science to inform public policy. The story of Dr. Calder challenging the science of government reports on the impacts of hydroelectric power was not only inspirational but a great starting point for discussions on how to use good science to support a conclusion that could have real world implications. This also led us into discussions of how to effectively message important scientific principles so that action can be taken (e.g. how might you convince a local coastal government that investing in raising roadways is worthwhile as a form of climate adaptation?).

Our discussions ranged a number of subjects in our hour together, but as the time flew by and we headed our separate ways I left with a renewed sense of excitement for my work and future directions as a scientist.

Written by Isaac VanDiest, IGC Fellow and PhD student in Biological Sciences[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”59313″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]If you are an IGC fellow or GCC affiliate faculty interested in participating in an upcoming CoffeeConvo, contact Caleb O’Brien at calebo@vt.edu.  This is a great opportunity to strengthen the GCC community![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Announcements Blog GSO IGC Interfaces of Global Change IGEP

The IGC DEI committee has recently received funding from the GCC to open a new DEI library in the GCC Steger Hall Office

[vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”59352″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]

December 14, 2021

What? The Global Change Center Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Library.

Who? Available to all GCC affiliates, including faculty, staff, and IGC fellows.

Where? Books can be checked out (max 30 days, if there is a waiting list) by coming into the GCC office in Steger Hall. Members can check book availability or add themselves to the waiting list using the book availability sheet HERE. If a GCC member needs access to Steger Hall to check out a book, please reach out to Lara hopkinsl@vt.edu or Jess at jcoker@vt.edu (after Jess returns in January).

Why? The goal of the GCC DEI library is to encourage GCC members to continue their DEI education by providing free access to relevant books. We also hope that we can use the knowledge we gain from these books to plan DEI initiatives and foster a more inclusive GCC community.

Winter break would be a great time to do some reading! The library currently includes 2 copies of the following books:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”59347″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The IGC DEI committee organized a DEI reading group, and all IGC fellows are welcome to attend! During the past three semesters, they have covered a wide range of topics, notably How to be an Antiracist and Braiding Sweetgrass (two books that are now available in the GCC DEI library). Next semester they plan to host invited speakers and discuss more DEI topics, including building inclusive communities and developing strong diversity statements. Fellows should look out for an email from Lauren Maynard in January for scheduling the bi-monthly meetings for the spring semester. Also, if you’re interested in joining the IGC DEI committee, reach out to Lauren (ldmaynar@vt.edu) or any of the other committee members.    

Written collaboratively by the IGC DEI Committee.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Blog News Newsletter

GCC undergraduate grant awardees team-up to take down invasive mosquitos

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”59229″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”59241″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

December 7, 2021

Mosquitoes are responsible for the loss of thousands of lives each year as carriers of deadly pathogens such as malaria, dengue virus, and West Nile virus. Because treatments and vaccines remain unavailable for many of mosquito-vectored diseases, especially in less developed nations, mosquito control is one of the main strategies to limit populations and consequently pathogen transmission. Methods of mosquito control can include removing breeding habitats, introducing predators, or use of insecticides. Unfortunately, many of these methods can have negative impacts on non-target species that are ecologically important and beneficial to society. For example, insecticides used in mosquito control can also kill dragonflies who are themselves predators of mosquitos. In order to address this wicked problem, the World Health Organization has urged for the development of novel control strategies that are cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The lab of GCC Affiliate Dr. Chloé Lahondère focuses on studying insects that vector pathogens including multiple mosquito species that are in need of better control strategies. This is of particular importance in the face of climate change. Global changes in weather patterns and increased extreme weather events can facilitate mosquito species invading new areas along with the diseases they may carry. In order to tackle this growing issue, Lahondère enlisted the efforts of two previous recipients of the GCC Undergraduate Research Grant– Lauren Fryzlewicz and Ashlynn VanWinkle. Fryzlewicz, a 2020 award recipient, and VanWinkle, a 2021 award recipient, teamed up to study the invasive mosquito species Aedes j. japonicus, a potential vector of West Nile virus. Aedes j. japonicus was introduced to the U.S. in the mid-1990s, and now ranges from the American Midwest to the eastern seaboard.

“With warming climates,” VanWinkle said, “the active range for mosquitoes is growing, and we hypothesize that drier climates will encourage more mosquito activity.”  Using the GCC grant funds, Fryzlewicz and VanWinkle addressed this problem by creating and testing novel attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSBs) for mosquito control. ATSBs are composed of three elements: an attractive odor to draw mosquitos into a container, a sugar solution, and a toxic chemical. Containers can be fashioned out of old plastic bottles making them an economic and sustainable choice with readily available resources.

While ATSBs have been shown to be successful methods of control in other mosquito species, they have yet to be tested in Aedes j. japonicus. To assess this, boric acid, which is lethal to mosquitoes but low in toxicity to most fish, birds, and honey bees, was mixed with various fruit solutions to use in feeding assays. Fryzlewicz and VanWinkle found that, regardless of the fruit used, mosquitoes who fed on solutions containing boric acid died within 48 hours, proving the efficiency of ATSBs in this invasive species.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”40291″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”59244″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A recently published Journal of Medical Entomology article showcases their work and is an important milestone for both Fryzlewicz and VanWinkle. “This project gave me so much experience with the process of research, and it’s ultimately what influenced me to pursue my master’s degree at Virginia Tech” VanWinkle said. “This is the first paper I’ve been a part of so it’s a huge milestone to see it published!” But this isn’t only an important triumph for the Lahondère Lab. Developing an effective mosquito trap has global benefits as Aedes j. japonicus has become an invasive species in Europe as well. “The impact of this paper is that it is providing an inexpensive option to trap insects” remarked Fryzlewicz. “Many traps are very expensive and complicated to use, while this bait is easily accessible and very easy to produce.”

After completing her MS in Biochemistry this year, Fryzlewicz is now a staff Scientist in the Biomarker and Flow Cytometry Department at PPD Bioanalytical Lab in Richmond, Virginia. “It is a very different type of science than what I was doing in my Masters,” she said.  “But the multi-disciplinary research approach of Dr. Lahondère really taught me how to learn and shaped me into a better scientist. She helped me see a new side of Biochemistry.”

As for the future of the project, the next steps will be optimizing the ATSB and testing it in local areas. Carrying on the legacies of Fryzlewicz and VanWinkle, Helen Oker was recently awarded a 2021-2022 GCC Undergraduate Research Grant to do just that. “I am really grateful to the GCC for supporting undergraduate research and for supporting this project in particular,” Lahondère remarked. Inspired by her work in the Lahondère lab, VanWinkle started her MS in the Biochemistry program this semester, and is currently rotating in different labs to get more experience before deciding on which lab to join for her thesis.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Global Change Center at Virginia Tech, with support from the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, is proud to sponsor undergraduate students and their research projects that align with our mission for advancing collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to address critical global changes impacting the environment and society. Supported projects address basic and/or applied aspects of global change science, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities and are sponsored by a GCC Faculty mentor.

Read more about the GCC Undergraduate Research Grant program here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Blog News Newsletter

Thank You Matt!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”59158″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

After 16 years of service and leadership at Virginia Tech, Matt Hulver is leaving next week for a tremendous opportunity to serve as the Vice President of Research at Arizona State University.

During Matt’s tenure as the Executive Director of The Fralin Life Sciences Institute (FLSI) he worked tirelessly to develop strategic direction for the new Institute after the merger of University resources from the former Fralin Life Science Institute and the Biocomplexity Institute. Over the last two years, he was instrumental in facilitating the charters of two new centers, The Center for Zoonotic, Emerging, and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens and The Center for Translational Plant Sciences. Formation of these new centers was part of a larger strategy to bring cohesiveness and visibility to one of Virginia Tech’s greatest strengths, the environmental-related sciences. Matt also effectively worked with his leadership team to support and develop cross-campus initiatives to make Virginia Tech a more diverse and inclusive community, including new partnerships with the Graduate School, the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program, the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, and the Virginia Tech Recovery Community. Matt’s efforts improved operations of Virginia Tech Core Services, created new communities of collaboration in Steger Hall, provided support and infrastructure for a new NSF-funded center and multiple training grant programs, created several new live animal research facilities, and generated new collaborations with the Institute of Society, Culture, and Environment that benefit the entire University. Matt regularly worked cooperatively with academic units to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, and to acquire new state-of-the-science equipment to foster team science and innovative research.

In a short time, Matt’s accomplishments, vision, character, and thoughtful approach to leadership garnered the attention and respect of faculty, University leaders, and key external stakeholders around the Commonwealth. Matt, thank you for providing FLSI with a strong foundation and launch-point for a vibrant future! We will miss you, but your legacy will live on and we wish you well with your exciting new endeavors.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Blog News Newsletter

Faculty Spotlight: Jeff Walters

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”59119″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”59135″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

November 30, 2021

Jeff Walters joined the Virginia Tech community in 1994 as the Harold H. Bailey Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. He has served on the editorial boards of multiple journals and has published more than 150 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters on subjects pertaining to conservation biology, behavioral ecology and population biology.  Walters received the 2002 Elliott Coues Award from the American Ornithologists’ Union, the 2013 Virginia Tech Alumni Research Award for Research Excellence, the first annual Global Change Center Faculty Service Award in 2019, and two awards from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for his conservation and teaching activities. Walters acts as the graduate director for the Department of Biological Sciences and is a member of the Integrative Organismal Biology group.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Walters is also a founding member of the Global Change Center. Helping to lay the framework of what is now an 80+ faculty-strong program in 2014, he remains an integral leader in the community. He currently advises Interfaces of Global Change (IGC) Fellows David Millican, Noah McNeill, Leah Novak, and Amber Wendler and advised Alumna Fellow Maya Wilson. Drawing from his own experiences, Walters is also an active contributor to the IGC curriculum, to include leading Fellows through science arbitration exercises.

Specializing in the behavioral ecology and conservation of birds, Walters has worked effectively with government agencies, NGOs, and the public to achieve and promote conservation of bird populations. His research of endangered birds has taken him across the world from the pine forests of the Bahamas to Namibian Dry Savanna. And while his research has taken him to far lands, much of his efforts have been closer to home with the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. Walters has studied populations of red-cockaded woodpeckers in the North Carolina Sandhills since 1980, and in Florida since 1995. His work has provided  insight into the species’ unique cooperative breeding, allowed him to develop science-based population management strategies, and has emphasized the impact of climate change on the species’ survival.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”59124″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”59123″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Along with his research, Walters is also actively engaged in the science-policy interface, frequently serving on panels that evaluate relevant science to inform important policy decisions and in management applications of research. He has served on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Committee on Everglades Restoration Progress six out of nine times that the committee has convened since 2004. As part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan seeks to return the Everglades to its natural beauty and create a water system that serves both the natural and the human needs of South Florida. The most recent report, Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Eighth Biennial Review – 2020, was made public in August. More about his work with the committee can be read in this recently published article.

For more information about Walter’s research and engagement in science policy, please visit the Walters Lab Website.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Blog News Newsletter

IGC Fellows meet with climate scientist Dr. Jeremy Hoffman

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”58997″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]

November 23, 2021

Earlier this month, the Department of Geography in the College of Natural Resources and Environment invited climate advocate Dr. Jeremy Hoffman to take part in their Geography Diversity and Inclusion lecture series. Dr. Hoffman is a climate scientist and resilience specialist at the Science Museum of Virginia, and affiliated faculty in the Center for Environmental Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University. His lecture, “Mapping climate inequity and fostering climate action,” focused on the effect of climate change on vulnerable populations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58995″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58994″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]During his visit, seven Interfaces of Global Change (IGC) Fellows had the opportunity to meet with Hoffman and discuss climate change in the Old Guard Room at Preston’s Restaurant. Over a steaming cup of coffee and a warm breakfast, the Fellows shared their research interests, experience in science advocacy, career goals, and more. In turn, Hoffman was able to share his unique perspective and experience at the interface of society and science.  Dr. Hoffman has interacted with our global change community multiple times over the years, including a jointly sponsored public lecture by the GCC and Hahn Garden, and a guest appearance in one of our IGC seminar courses.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Professional development experiences such as this are an important part of the IGC IGEP and all Fellows are encouraged to participate in future events. Reach out to the IGC Graduate Student Organization for more information.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Announcements Research Undergraduate Experiential Learning

GCC Undergraduate Research Grants awarded to eight students for 2021-2022

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”57227″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

November 23, 2021

This year the Global Change Center continued to support the research efforts of our undergraduate students through our Undergraduate Research Grant program. From mosquito control, to a shark identification phone app, to how landowners perceive conservation efforts and more – this year’s GCC undergraduate research grant recipients are conducting impressive work with GCC faculty. This year’s research grants, totaling ~$7,500 in funds, support projects led by eight outstanding undergraduate students spanning seven undergraduate majors.

Congratulations to the following students awarded this year’s GCC undergraduate research grants! Read more about their research projects below.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator style=”dashed”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

The impact of microplastics on crayfish and branchiobdellidan annelids symbiosis

Tyler Allen, Biological Sciences

Working with Drs. Austin Gray and Bryan Brown

[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Although an estimated 80% of coastal plastic debris comes from inland areas…” tab_id=”1612293290617-6f7b2fb9-3309″][vc_column_text]Although an estimated 80% of coastal plastic debris comes from inland areas, work on their adverse effects on freshwater organisms lags behind those reported for marine life. Tyler will work to determine how different microplastics sizes and polymer types impact their ecosymbiotic relationship between crayfish and branchiobdellidan annelids. He hopes that the results will provide information on an aspect of microplastics pollution that remains unexplored.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”58939″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border” css=”.vc_custom_1637079675791{margin-bottom: 5px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Projecting species distribution models under different climate scenarios for conservation

Victorjose Catalan, Wildlife Conservation

Working with Drs. Meryl Mims and Traci DuBose[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Shifts in temperature due to climate change will alter the distribution of species and increase global biodiversity loss…” tab_id=”1612297277623-b2f6f3b6-8c8b”][vc_column_text]Shifts in temperature due to climate change will alter the distribution of species and increase global biodiversity loss, requiring predictions of climate vulnerability for sensitive species. However, the effects of climate change vary spatially and temporally, and vulnerability is not the same for all species. Victorjose will build species distribution models that predict the range of anuran species across space in relation to their environment by using occurrence and climate data to predict responses of individual species to climate change and their vulnerability.  His research will help advance ongoing efforts funded by the U.S. Geological Survey to evaluate the sensitivity of frogs and toads across the United States to climate change.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”58938″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Assessing urushiol’s contribution to poison ivy evolutionary fitness

Amy Fiorellino, Environmental Science

Working with Dr. John Jelesko[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Understanding the evolutionary trajectory of chemical defenses is relevant to understanding how plants…” tab_id=”1612297224175-e1b38224-b112″][vc_column_text]Understanding the evolutionary trajectory of chemical defenses is relevant to understanding how plants adapt to the extinction of antagonistic species during the Anthropocene.  Amy’s research will examine whether urushiol levels quantitatively promote the evolutionary fitness of poison ivy.  Amy will pair fitness data (number of offspring and germination rate) from individual plants with their urushiol levels to determine whether these chemical defenses are correlated, as well as whether they are related to environmental factors such as distance to surface water.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”58954″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

The effects of engagement in research on landowner perspectives on science and conservation

Anna Klewicki, Environmental Conservation and Society

Working with Drs. Ashley Dayer and Bill Hopkins & IGC Fellow Rebecca O’Brien[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Although most United States’ land is privately owned, these areas…” tab_id=”1612294574054-6ff00c84-33d5″][vc_column_text]Although most United States’ land is privately owned, these areas have continually been understudied in the field of conservation. Anna’s project will examine how landowners’ interactions with biologists impact their perceptions of research and will help inform best practices to leverage access to private lands to support conservation outcomes. Through a series of interviews with landowners who interacted with researchers, Anna aims to better understand the role these interactions played in landowners’ subsequent conservation activities and their perceptions of science and an imperiled wildlife species.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”58945″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Adverse birth outcomes associated with proximity to poultry animal feeding operation in
rural Eastern Shore, Virginia

Antonia Maria Mendrinos, Clinical Neuroscience

Working with Dr. Julia Gohlke[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Animal feeding operations (AFOs) emit ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds…” tab_id=”1612294975335-ebb3aea2-aaca”][vc_column_text]Animal feeding operations (AFOs) emit ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter into the air. Air pollution from animal feeding operations has been implicated as a contributor to adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birth weight.  Using birth records through the Virginia Department of Health and poultry records from the Virginia Department of Environment Quality, Antonia aims to estimate pollution from the poultry farms on the Eastern Shore, Virginia and determine its effect on birth outcomes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”58942″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

 Developing a shark identification app for online citizen science 

Lauren Morris, Biological Sciences

Working with Dr. Francesco Ferretti[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”SharkPulse, a crowdsourcing initiative that mines shark sightings from images…” tab_id=”1637077733872-b60d6e91-2940″][vc_column_text]

SharkPulse, a crowdsourcing initiative that mines shark sightings from images shared on social networks, stored in online portals, and submitted through mobile and web apps, uses citizen science to gather data to monitor global shark populations. Lauren will develop an interactive taxonomic identification web app that helps users identify sharks from collected images. The App will make shark identification more accessible for users, increase global shark data for future research, and expand public engagement with the SharkPulse initiative.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”58959″ img_size=”300×300″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1637598463906{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”]

Optimization of an attractive toxic sugar bait trap to control Aedes j. japonicus invasive mosquitoes

Helen Oker, Biochemistry

Working with Dr. Chloé Lahondère[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Aedes j. japonicus is an invasive mosquito in the USA that is a known vector of pathogens…” tab_id=”1612294740181-e03b4626-6707″][vc_column_text]Aedes j. japonicus is an invasive mosquito in the USA that is a known vector of pathogens. Helen plans to optimize Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSB) for mosquito control by determining factors influencing their attractiveness to the mosquitoes. To do this, she will use a combination of field and laboratory experiments to test the efficacy of various odorant components emitted by the ATSB. Ultimately, this project will provide an efficient alternative and sustainable control method to reduce mosquito populations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”58958″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Plant functional and morphological traits impact carbon transport to aquatic ecosystems

Aaron Price, Crop and Soil Environmental Science

Working with Dr. Brian Badgley & IGC Fellow Stephanie Duston[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”How specific plant traits impact the flux of carbon from soil is poorly understood…” tab_id=”1637077846138-b7e9bbb0-d5d8″][vc_column_text]How specific plant traits impact the flux of carbon from soil is poorly understood. In greenhouse experiments, Aaron will test the relationship between root traits of different plants and concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leaching from the soil system. Aaron will calculate the percentage of carbon transferred between the soil and water and how those relate to plant characteristics and soil carbon cycling. Determining how plant traits drive carbon exchange will improve carbon accounting in existing models of coupled soil and hydrologic systems.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”58940″ img_size=”300×300″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612284837166{padding-top: 12px !important;padding-right: 12px !important;padding-bottom: 12px !important;padding-left: 12px !important;background-color: #4c89bf !important;}”]The Global Change Center at Virginia Tech, with support from the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, is proud to sponsor undergraduate students and their research projects that align with our mission for advancing collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to address critical global changes impacting the environment and society. Supported projects address basic and/or applied aspects of global change science, engineering, social science and the humanities and are sponsored by a GCC Faculty mentor.

Read more about the GCC Undergraduate Research Grant program here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Blog News Newsletter

Build a Stream activity teaches local students about our watersheds

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”58861″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]

November 16, 2021

The Virginia Tech Science Festival has returned to campus this year with free hands-on learning interactive booths and activities that showcase dozens of science education and research programs throughout the university. Once again, IGC Fellows volunteered to teach local students important lessons in global change science. This year, Gaëlle Blanvillain, Sam Lane, Chloe Moore, Melissa Burt, (pictured above) and Alaina Weinheimer teamed up to help 3rd graders from Gilbert Linkous Elementary understand what a watershed is and what happens to the rain that falls on the mountainous land around us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58851″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58850″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The educational activity, created by Expedition Northwest, allowed students to visualize how water travels through an ecosystem similar to our own. During the activity, students crumpled pieces of paper to simulate the surface of an ecosystem with a mountainous terrain and then drew a river with water-soluble markers. After completing their drawing, they sprayed the piece of paper with water to simulate rain and watched the colors bleed in a way that resembles how water and its particulates (e.g. soil particles, pollutants, etc.) move.

“The students were about to hypothesize where they thought the water would flow if it rained, and then test their theory in real-time” Alaina Weinheimer said. “The activity is a great opportunity to build discussion of potential issues that global change (e.g. habitat loss, pollution, etc) might cause by using watersheds as a starting point,” added Melissa Burt.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58845″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58847″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58849″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58856″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thank you Gaelle, Melissa, Sam, Chloe, Alaina, and the IGC Graduate Student Organization for representing the GCC with another superb Science Festival exhibit![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Blog News Newsletter

IGC Fellows promote science communication in workshop and community outreach

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”58590″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]

November 16, 2021

Graduate students from across the Virginia Tech community recently gathered for the opportunity to improve their science communication and poster-making skills. IGC Fellows Abby Lewis, Amanda Hensley, Heather Wander, and Emma Bueren partnered with the Virginia Tech Center for Communicating Science to organize this event in anticipation of their upcoming IGC capstone project: Flip the Fair.

Flipped science fairs literally flip the traditional science fair format on its head by having elementary school student judges evaluate graduate students presenting their research. Local elementary students learn about important scientific concepts from real scientists in a small-group setting, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and participate in hands-on demonstrations. The presenters, in turn, learn to tailor their research pitch to a general audience, with emphasis on keeping things exciting, understandable, and relevant.

In order to prepare the graduate students for the fair, two workshops were held simultaneously at the Blacksburg and the Roanoke campuses. Training focused on building skills for presenting to broader audiences, which is easier said than done. “Human beings gain ability and confidence by practicing difficult skills,” said Patty Raun, Director of the Virginia Tech Center for Communicating Science. “Too often in higher education we are expected to learn how to do challenging things by reading about them or listening to lectures. The communicating science experiences we provide in our workshops allow participants to expand their comfort zones and develop confidence by practicing communication skills in a safe and creative way.  Participants don’t have to imagine it . . . they do it!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58838″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”58837″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Initial funding for the idea came from an American Geophysical Union Sharing Science Grants awarded to Lewis earlier this Fall. It has since grown to a large collaborative project with stakeholders including the Global Change Center, The Center for Communicating Science, the Virginia Tech Communicating Science Club, The Center for Educational Networks and Impacts, and the Roanoke Public Libraries.

“Our Flip the Fair event is an opportunity for graduate students to practice science communication and receive feedback from the toughest audience—children,” said Lewis. “At this initial workshop, participants received training in science communication, started thinking about how to design posters for the event, and discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion with assistant director for the Graduate School Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion Justin Grimes,” she added.

Initially anticipating 25 participants, interest in the workshop was so great that organizers had to find larger accommodations for the 34 in attendance. For Abby and the other fellows, it was a moment to savor. “After months of planning, it was so exciting to finally meet all of our participants!” Abby shared.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”58834″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The flipped science fair will be held Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 1-3 p.m. at the Melrose Branch Library in Roanoke and is open to the public. The event will require registration and more information will be available in the coming months.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]