Tag: Environmental Studies

USDA Midwest Climate Hub: An Assessment of Climate Services (Ryan McCoy)

Hybrid: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

Climate services involve the production, translation, and utilization of climate information to aid in decision-making. These services aim to provide timely and tailored information to decision-makers and stakeholders in the face of growing climate variability. In doing so, climate services are a critical resource for bolstering climate resiliency and adaptation. This project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (Grant #5030-21600-001-014-G, PI: Prof. Ryan McCoy, Environmental Studies), will evaluate climate services offered by the USDA Midwest Climate Hub (MCH)–an organization tasked with providing regional-specific climate information to stakeholders in the $76 billion agricultural industry in the Midwest. In doing so, this assessment will provide a baseline measure of the value of these services, including their social, economic, and ecological impacts, as well as identify areas for improvement in service delivery and development. As part of this project, student researchers will work in collaboration with the PI, federal organizations, and other government partners to analyze survey data, as well as produce internal reports and external publications relating to MCH’s climate services. In doing so, students will play a pivotal role in increasing the awareness, accessibility, and usability of climate information for agricultural stakeholders in the Midwest, as well as support climate resiliency in U.S. food systems.

Apply now

Prerequisites

Students should have some experience in mixed methods research and data analysis, and some familiarity with R and similar programs by the project start date. Courses relevant to this position include, but are not limited to, the following: -ENV 390 Topics: Applied Mixed Methods in Environmental Studies -SOAN 111 R for Social Scientists -SOAN 222 Data Science Tools for Social Policy

Special Comments

Research for this project will primarily take place on campus in Lexington, VA, with options for hybrid work. In addition, there is the potential for travel to the USDA Midwest Climate Hub located in Ames, Iowa at the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment.

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: Hybrid

Contact Information: Ryan McCoy (email: rmccoy2@wlu.edu)

Quantifying grassland soil carbon and productivity in Yellowstone National Park. (Bill Hamilton)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

In continuation of a 10-year collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS), we will begin the quantification of the carbon sequestration potential of Yellowstone grasslands by integrating soil and plant measurements with stable isotope enrichment experiments in the field and in the lab. This data will contribute to bison and grassland management decisions as well as ecological knowledge.

Apply now

Prerequisites

ENV 110 or BIOL 111/113

Special Comments

Potential trip to Yellowstone for 2 weeks in July.

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 3

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Bill Hamilton (email: hamiltone@wlu.edu)

Critical mineral (rare earth element and yttrium) extraction by biotic manganese oxides associated with acidic mine drainage (Margaret Anne Hinkle)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/9/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 8/1/2025.

Project Description

With the projected growth in renewable energy and technology sectors along with their increasing reliance on critical minerals such as rare earth elements, yttrium, and manganese, identifying domestic sources of these critical minerals is essential. Large volumes of solid waste containing critical minerals are generated every year as a byproduct of acid mine drainage remediation. Within the United States, acid mine drainage remains an ongoing environmental issue. This research will examine the potential of adapting acid mine drainage remediation systems to produce critical minerals in economically viable concentrations. The research will investigate the impact of a variety of biogeochemical conditions (such as pH, sulfate concentrations, and the presence of microbes) on rare earth elements and yttrium (REYs) uptake by hydrous manganese (Mn) oxide minerals in acid mine drainage remediation systems. These results will help identify the optimal conditions for concentrating REYs in acid mine drainage remediation systems for the recovery of these critical minerals from unconventional domestic sources, while remediating harmful metal-laden acid mine drainage.

Apply now

Prerequisites

None

Special Comments

Part of the research may require travel to acid mine drainage field sites outside of Pittsburgh

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/9/2025

Estimated End Date: 8/1/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 3

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Margaret Anne Hinkle (email: hinklem@wlu.edu)