Category: Blog

Categories
Blog IGC Interfaces of Global Change IGEP Science Communication

How is Amazon Deforestation Related to One Health?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”62294″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

May 25, 2022
A writing assignment from the IGC Seminar, by Caetano Franco

 

The Amazon Rainforest, the world’s largest rainforest, provides ecosystem services, stores carbon stocks, and supports biodiversity. In addition, a fifth of the world’s freshwater is located in this region. This forest is home to 34 million people, many depending entirely on the forest for their livelihoods, and also a storehouse of diseases and pathogens that could lead to another pandemic.

More than half of the Amazon Rainforest is in Brazil. Alarmingly, Brazilian rainforests are subject to rapid and considerable transformations due to agribusiness, implementation of large infrastructures such as roads and dams, mining, and above all, deforestation. These human activities have contributed to the loss of resilience of this forest.

But how is the Amazon related to One Health? For the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, One Health is “an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. One Health is not new, but it has become more important in recent years. This is because many factors have changed interactions between people, animals, plants, and our environment”. In this context, in which the Amazon is home to thousands of people, and represents a region of global importance, the exhaustive deforestation found in the biome can have consequences for different sectors of society around the world.

Recent overview of the situation in the Amazon

In Brazil, 2021 was the worst level of Amazon Rainforest deforestation in 15 years, largely driven by the growth of biofuels, initially sugar cane and more recently palm oil and corn, as well as road construction. The growth of palm oil is worrying as it is extremely harmful to tropical forests, as already observed in other regions, extensive areas of forests have been converted into areas for palm oil plantations. The reopening of the BR-319 highway is one example of increased forest loss due to roads. This highway connects the “arc of deforestation” in the state of Rondônia to Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, cutting through one of the most preserved blocks of tropical forest in the world, home to almost 18,000 indigenous people and 63 official Indigenous Lands. Soy and cattle ranching are expanding around this highway, mostly through the illegal acquisition of land from deforestation. Therefore, this highway has represented the new frontier of cheap land for the expansion of economic activities. If reopened, this road and its side roads could considerably increase the deforested area, and in some places, the landscape has already changed dramatically.

Deforestation and One Health

For researcher and ecologist Lucas Ferrante, deforestation is linked to the emergence of new diseases. According to him, “we have already observed an exponential increase in malaria in the BR-319 region due to deforestation”. However, there are other diseases of global concern. For Ferrante, “the Amazon has the largest stock of betacoronavirus in the world. It is important to mention that before SARS-CoV-2, we already had four [types of] betacoronavirus running in Brazil”. In addition, many types of betacoranavirus are still unknown, as well as large amounts of bacteria, viruses, and prions. Deforestation is altering areas with a high number of pathogens that can lead to zoonotic leaps, from animals to humans. Agribusiness is planning to implement large corn plantations in Indigenous Lands, as new commercial food production chains. These lands and people lack basic social and health assistance and low environmental control. These companies intend to create an animal feed from corn tailings and promote the confined creation of poultry and pigs within these Indigenous Lands, which are places with a high diversity of pathogens. This combination of factors and situations can generate new pandemics, as stated by the researcher. To make this situation worse, deforestation tends to accelerate global climate change and make it increasingly difficult to reach existing international agreements for this purpose.

COVID-19 pandemic, decision making and humanitarian threats

Decision makers are not paying attention in the pandemic situation, in part because of limited capacity of epidemiological alerts that exist in the Amazon region. Four months before the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Amazonas, a scientific alert led by Lucas Ferrante was carried out indicating the catastrophic proportions that the second wave could have. In this alert, although not heeded by decision makers, predicted what happened months later. In addition, the gamma variant (or P.1) was generated in Manaus, mainly associated with the absence of restrictive measures represented by the return of school prior to vaccination and the increase in community transmission of the virus. However, this variant was only identified when it arrived in Japan, illustrating the limited local capacity to assess the emergence of new diseases before they cross Brazilian borders. The Brazilian government, instead of prioritizing the lives of indigenous populations, has prioritized, since the beginning of the current administration in January 2019, economic growth at any cost, violating humanitarian rights. The Brazilian government’s denialism has placed the country into a global epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Agents of transformation of Amazon region

Brazil has suffered a recurrent dismantling of environmental laws, which consequently has compromised ecosystem services of global importance. According to Ferrante, in Brazil there have already been “two new cycles of deforestation generated by the current government”. The current president of Brazil, whose policies tend to support landowners of large holdings and their representatives, has been implementing measures since the beginning of 2019 that directly threaten the environment and the traditional peoples of the Amazon region, as well as the global climate. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brazilian government weakened environmental protection in the country. Therefore, we have, in recent years, as the national and international capital’s greatest ally, the Brazilian government, who has acted for the transformation of the Amazon region and the threat to traditional peoples and global issues, such as health and climate.

 

Perspectives

Solutions are possible to slow deforestation. Ferrante and collaborators are recommending a boycott of Brazilian livestock, soybeans, and beef, mainly by European countries and China. They are also recommending that world banks stop financing projects that could influence the paving of BR-319 or that could influence the expansion of this new production chain based on the creation of animals confined in the Amazon. Another possible situation is to reverse the tax revenue destined for Brazilian science, which since the political coup that removed the last president from power, in 2016, has drastically decreased. Brazilian science is on the verge of collapse, with low manpower and investments, increasing the difficulties for monitoring of deforestation and public health.

A healthy Amazon Forest is possible, but it depends on actions at different levels and coming from different actors. It is necessary for the developed countries that have historically explored the region to change their perspectives. It is necessary for the Brazilian government to reestablish governance and stop being tied to rural interests and big capital. It is necessary that civil society continue to act as possible and denounce the crime that takes place within the Amazonian Forest. Planetary health depends on it.

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator style=”dotted”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1653571700985{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #2d68b5 !important;border-radius: 3px !important;}”]The researcher and expert on the subject, Lucas Ferrante, was interviewed for this blog feature. He holds a degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL) and a Master’s in Biology (Ecology) from the National Institute for Research in the Amazon (INPA). He is currently a PhD Candidate in Biology (Ecology) also at INPA.

Email Dr. Ferrante[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”59694″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]About the author:

Caetano Franco is PhD Student at Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation and a member of Global Change Center. His research interests include co-management and community-based management of natural resources in tropical forests, especially with themes associated with the use of common resources, local ecological knowledge, traditional populations, and protected areas.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator style=”shadow”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Categories
Announcements Blog GSO IGC

Congratulations to new IGC GSO officers for the 2022-2023 academic year

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”62198″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]

May 20, 2022

The Interfaces of Global Change Graduate Student Organization exists to benefit the IGC community as a whole through student contributions to infrastructural, educational, and social investments and activities. The leadership team has grown over the past several years to include a new Sustainability officer, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, and student representatives to the Interfaces of Global Change Curriculum Committee (IG3C).

As we welcome in the newest officers of the IGC GSO, we also want to take a moment to thank all the officers who are finishing up their term.

Thank you, 2021-2022 leaders, for all your contributions this past year. Congratulations to the newest GSO officers!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”47349″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”right” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Melissa Burt
President

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”44800″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Sam Silknetter
Vice President

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”54104″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Tyler Weiglein
Secretary

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”45360″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

 Macy Kailing
Treasurer

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”59876″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Meg Harris
Sustainability Officer

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”47621″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Caleb O’Brien
Professional Development   Co-Chair

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”54106″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Forde Upshur
Professional Development   Co-Chair

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”42008″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Camilo Alfonso
DEI Chair

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”59699″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Prashasti Agarwal
Outreach Chair

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”59816″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Taylor Fossett
Social Chair

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”56077″ img_size=”200×200″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Amanda Darling
IG3C Co-Chair

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”54062″ img_size=”200×200″ style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

Namrata Panji
IG3C Co-Chair

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

Categories
Blog IGC Interfaces of Global Change IGEP Science Communication

How do you achieve effective science communication?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”62088″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

May 13, 2022
A reflection from the IGC Seminar course, by Gabriel Borba

 

Achieving effective science communication is a challenge for most scientists. Yet, communication science is part of a scientist’s everyday life; thus, to be successful, scientists need to learn how to communicate effectively, from a peer-reviewed article to an elevator pitch. I invited Dr. Susan Hassol, a well-known climate change communicator, to share her experience and recommendations for effective climate change communication. As she said, she “translated Science into English”.

Many resources teach skills and ways to communicate scientific results but less often focus on how to communicate science more broadly, especially to a non-academic audience. The challenge becomes complex when the considered research topic is climate change, where disinformation campaigns and scientific jargon are common. However, there are key tools and strategies to follow to help understand your audience and how to communicate your main message. Those main aspects of effective communication are discussed in the following paragraphs. I searched for the most commonly asked questions on the Google search engine about climate change communication, and Dr. Hassol’s answers (noted in quotes) follow:

Why is effective communication important in Science?

“People are making decisions and investments now that should be informed by the best science. If those who know that science is not communicating it effectively to those who are making these decisions, or the decision-makers are not hearing it (due to their own ideological or other filters that prevent their accepting the information), the decisions will be hampered by ignorance.”

How do we communicate Science?

“In plain language, in ways that connect with people on issues, they care about. Simple, clear messages, often repeated, by various trusted sources, such as Edward Maibach (Director of Mason’s Center for Climate Change Communication, says.”

What are some examples of effective communication?

“An example of effective communication is when you talk in clear and simple terms. An example of effective communication is when the person whom you are talking to listens actively, absorbs your point and understands it.

For example, TV weathercasters are trusted sources to local communities; people trust them about how the weather will be. Science communicators are engaged to help them integrate climate change into their weather reporting because they are trusted sources (more information).”

How can we best deal with and avoid disinformation campaigns and fake news?

“Nowadays, the war against disinformation campaigns and fake news has changed. And, as part of the problem, there are denial, disinformation, deflection, division and doomism. For example, the fossil fuel industry focuses on saying that climate change needs to be solved by individual actions. Denial – solution actually can solve the problem. Deflecting – the fossil fuel industry blames ourselves. Division – fossil fuel industry tries to divide the climate movements by having them flights among themselves. Doomism – people are convinced that there is not we can do about it.”

“We can deal with and avoid disinformation campaigns and fake news by talking about it, listening, connecting on values, build trust. Focus on solutions that all of us can agree with it. Explain the choice we face, explaining both urgency and agency of action.”

Overview of Science Communication Tips and Strategies

Good conversation is a conversation, not a lecture. One of the most important things to do is listen. What do people care about? Based on that, you may find common ground, establish trust, and make personal connections with them. For example, during an interview, you get an opportunity to develop a history. You give the reporters more information and help them to see the topic you are discussing in a more scientifically accurate way.

For effective messaging, it is necessary to be clear, concise, and compelling. Also, brevity, a short sound bite. Focusing on what you know about the topic is the most effective way to lead with what is happening. The more you say, the fewer people will hear, be objective and use simple speech. Be creative, use imagery and storytelling, and explore anecdotes. Make sure that you deliver your key message many ways and many times. Simple and repeated messages by trusted sources can be very effective. Be prepared to speak about research findings, considering what is novel and important to know about your findings.

Based on all of the information discussed above, effectively communicating about climate change or any other research topic remains a challenging skill to develop. However, recognizing the importance of communicating results from our research to a broad audience is critical to building a greater public understanding of science. We need to connect with our audience on the basis of their values and things that are most important to them in life. Following these approaches, I believe that we, as academics, will have a real chance to reach a wider audience with science. Effective scientific communication ensures that people understand science and can contribute and be connected to it.

[hr]Additional resources:

  • Communicating Science Effectively: A Research Agenda

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425710/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK425710.pdf

  • Climate Communication is non-profit Science and operates as a project of the Aspen Global Change Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the scientific understanding of Earth systems and global environmental change.

https://climatecommunication.org/

  • TEDx Climate Talk: Science and Solutions by Susan Hassol

  • Susan Hassol website page

https://climatecommunication.org/resources/#articles

  • Susan Hassol “guick facts” page

https://www.sciline.org/resource-list/climate-communication/

  • The New Climate War book by Michael Mann

https://michaelmann.net/books/climate-war

  • Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die book by Chip & Dan Heath

https://heathbrothers.com/books/made-to-stick/

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”55271″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_border”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Written by Gabriel Borba, Interfaces of Global Change fellow and PhD student from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Department at Virginia Tech. A Brazilian native who is studying climate change impacts on river-floodplain fisheries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][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
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]