Vol. II - June 2009
In This Issue
About MES
You’ll take courses across the University and collaborate with Penn’s world-class researchers and practitioners in the physical, biological, and social sciences, economics, and other arts and sciences disciplines, as well as professionals in planning, engineering, business, health care, and the law. Gain the breadth needed to address complex issues of the environment while you develop the depth required to provide specific expertise in environmental restoration and protection. More>
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Graduate Student Research Forum 2009
What research paths do graduate students in environmental studies at Penn follow for their final projects? The quick and easy answer is to say that the final projects are as different as the individual students. But the best answer is to attend the annual Graduate Student Research Forum.
The forum offers an opportunity for students, faculty, and the larger environmental community of Philadelphia to come together to learn about the diversity of topics currently being researched by students in the Master of Environmental Studies (MES) and Master of Science in Applied Geosciences (MSAG) programs. Thirty-eight students in the MES and nine students in the MSAG completed or are currently completing Capstone and Project Design Research this year. One student from each program was selected to present their research orally at the forum on May 8.
Michelle Thiboutot, an MES student with an Environmental Biology concentration, presented her findings on the spread and consequences of Chickengunya Virus, which is spread by the mosquito vector and has been reported in the U.S. Michelle’s research investigated the origination of the virus and the mutations that have occurred since it was identified. She followed the spread of the virus worldwide and the occurrences in the US.
Craig Wenger, an MSAG student with a concentration in Hydrogeology, spoke about sediment loads in streams in Puerto Rico during his talk, entitled “Land Use and Suspended Sediment Discharges in Northeast Puerto Rico.” Craig investigated land use changes and topographic differences as they affect the amount of sediment in streams as this impacts water quality. He used data collected along several streams that are routinely monitored for temperature, suspended sediment and oxygen content.
Finally, Reema Walia (MES ’10) spoke about a group of nine MES students who traveled to World Water Forum V in Istanbul, Turkey as part of a class taught by Stan Laskowski on Global Water Issues. Reema gave a report on the activities and research done by students in the class and the two-hour session they hosted at the Forum. Students presented on topics related to Women and Water and Children and Water. The week-long event, which occurs once every three years, was an excellent opportunity to meet with experts and officials from dozens of countries and learn about the major water issues confronting nations now and in the future.
After the oral presentation, students and faculty attended a reception in which student research posters were available for viewing. All students in both programs are required to prepare a poster representing their research and results. Forum participants were able to discuss the student’s research with the student at the reception. Research subjects at the poster session included topics as diverse as Fly Ash Disposal Hazards, Stewardship of Preserved Farmlands, Proper Disposal of Compact Discs, the Greening of Casinos, and an investigation of stream channels on Mars.
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