2017 News

Erin Danford first student named to IE Board of Visitors

Junior UNC-Chapel Hill student Erin Danford has been named to the UNC Institute for the Environment Board of Visitors—the first student board member in its history. Danford joined the Board at the October meeting and offered input from the student … Continued

Student Spotlight Erin Danford ’19

Name: Erin Danford Hometown: Waxhaw, North Carolina Major: Environmental Science Minor: Geography Expected Graduation: May 2019 What drew you to your major? I decided to become an environmental science major because I wanted a career that allowed me to make … Continued

Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster second fastest growing cluster in the world, says Abele

By Cinnamon Moore Earlier this semester, UNC Institute for the Environment hosted a Clean Tech Luncheon seminar with speaker Matt Abele, communications and events manager at the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC). The innovative organization was established more than five years … Continued

UNC launches innovative Center on Financial Risk in Environmental Systems

Extreme environmental events, such as floods, droughts, wild fires, winter storms, hurricanes, and other disasters, can wreak havoc on society. From detrimental environmental impacts, to financial loss and destruction of engineered systems, a new University of North Carolina at Chapel … Continued

IE scientists to present at 2017 AGU Fall Meeting

Several scientists from the UNC Institute for the Environment will be presenting at the 50th annual AGU Fall Meeting Dec. 11-15 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Fall Meeting is the largest worldwide conference in the geophysical sciences and attracts more … Continued

From the Blog: Financing Nutrient Management in the Jordan Lake Watershed

Erin Riggs, legal advisor with the UNC Environmental Finance Center, blogs about financing nutrient management in the Jordan Lake watershed. In 2016, the NC legislature commissioned a six-year nutrient management study to be done through the University of North Carolina … Continued

In the News: Go with the Flow

One of IE’s IDEA undergraduate student’s, Savannah Swinea, is featured in a UNC Research Endeavors article “Go with the Flow.” Swinea is paired up with Kaylyn Gootman, a Ph.D. candidate in the Curriculum in Environment and Ecology, to study stream beds. “I was looking … Continued

IDEA 2.0 students stand out at Undergraduate Pipeline Research Symposium

By Rachel Greene On July 28, 2017 hundreds of people filed into the Sonja Hayes Stone Center at UNC-Chapel Hill for the annual Undergraduate Pipeline Research Symposium. Nearly 150 undergraduates from UNC and universities around the country presented posters at … Continued

Postcard from the Field: OBX – Bianca Gartner ’18

What is your name: Bianca Gartner Major: Environmental Science Expected graduation date: May 2018 Why did you want to go to the OBX Field Site? Many reasons! First off, I wanted to do a semester off campus. Same state – … Continued

Meet the 2017 Duke Energy Faculty and Graduate Fellows

The Duke Energy Fellows program, administered by the UNC Institute for the Environment, is funded by a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to develop leaders in the energy sector. The Duke Energy Faculty Fellowship supports one faculty member per … Continued

Scientists explore new approaches to air quality modeling and health applications at 16th Annual CMAS Conference

Highlights from the 2017 CMAS Conference More than 260 air quality modeling scientists gathered Oct. 23-25 at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Friday Center for the 2017 Community Modeling and Analysis System (CMAS) Conference. The CMAS Center has been hosted by the UNC … Continued

From the Blog: Measuring Eastern North Carolina’s Lakes

By Grant Parkins Grant Parkins is the Watershed Education Coordinator with the UNC Institute for the Environment. The UNC Environmental Resource Program (ERP) has teamed up with a UNC researcher on a NASA-funded project designed to better understand how the … Continued

In the News: Turbine Power!

The Energy Literacy, Engagement and Action Program, Energy Leap, and IE’s K-12 Science Education Manager Dana Haine were featured in a video and story on the BeAM: Be A Maker Web site. The Energy Literacy, Engagement and Action Program, Energy … Continued

In the News: For Algeria’s struggling herders, “drought stops everything”

Less rain and higher temperatures means herders in Algeria are increasingly struggling to make ends meet Adel Hanna, director of IE’s Center for Environmental Modeling for Policy Development and research professor is quoted in this article from the Thomas Reuters … Continued

UNC-Chapel Hill to Host 16th Annual Community Modeling and Analysis System Conference

Highlights from the 15th anniversary conference and celebration. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Institute for the Environment is hosting its 16th annual Community Modeling and Analysis System (CMAS) Conference Oct. 23-25 at the university’s Friday Center. The … Continued

Postcard from the Field: Highlands – Forest Schweitzer ’19

Name: Forest Schweitzer Major: Environmental Studies Expected Graduation Date: May 2019 Why did you want to go to the the Highlands? I was interested in immersing myself in an environment that challenged me both intellectually and physically, and which I thought would … Continued

Coastal retreat kicks off 2017-18 ExPLORE NC program

The 2017-2018 ExPLORE NC program kicked off July 17 with a four-day-long retreat in Morehead City, NC. ExPLORE NC, which stands for Experiencing Place-based Learning Outdoors in Rivers and Ecosystems of North Carolina, helps elementary school teachers develop creative and … Continued

In the News: UNC researchers receive $61M grant to identify effective treatments for asthma

IE’s interim director, David B. Peden, MD, MS, is a co-principal investigator of a new study that will use precision medicine and “big data” analysis to identify more effective treatments for asthma attacks. The five-year study is being led by Anastasia … Continued

Harnessing the Ocean for North Carolina’s Energy Future

Lindsay Dubbs, research assistant professor and co-director of the Outer Banks Field Site recently hired two research technicians to assist with her part of the NC Renewable Ocean Energy Program grant. Ted West III and Claire Johnson will help with data collection … Continued

FROM THE BLOG: Solar Financing in a Changing Renewable Energy Landscape

By Heather Payne Assistant Director for the Center for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Economics (CE3), and Adjunct Professor at UNC School of Law In late June as the legislative session was winding down, the North Carolina General Assembly approved a … Continued

Meet a Student: Steven Tulevech ’19

Name: Steven Tulevech Hometown: Morehead City High School: North Carolina School of Science/Math Major: Environmental Science Minor(s): Information Science (and maybe English!) Expected Graduation: May 2019 What drew you to your major? I started at UNC with plenty of issues … Continued

IN THE NEWS: Solar kickoff at East Chapel Hill High

Under a sunny sky on the freshman hill at East Chapel Hill High, students gathered to celebrate the hard work and risk-taking by four of their fellow Wildcats. The Solar Kickoff on Wednesday, September 13 represented the official announcement of … Continued

Former board member DeSimone named recipient of 22nd Heinz Award

Joseph DeSimone, the Chancellor’s Eminent Professor of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill and the William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University, and former board member of the Institute … Continued

Postcard from the Field: 3rd Annual CMAS South America Conference

The 3rd annual CMAS South America Conference was held Aug. 28 to 31 in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The conference explored micro and meso-scale air quality modeling applications in the southern hemisphere and was organized by the Federal University of Espírito Santo … Continued

Characklis discusses hydropower live on CGTN

CGTN’s Rachelle Akuffo speaks to IE’s Greg Characklis, Philip C. Singer Distinguished Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, at UNC-Chapel Hill, about the future of hydropower. Characklis is featured in the second video. Read the full story below. … Continued

Teachers examine the future of the electric grid

By Cinnamon Moore Twenty science teachers from across North Carolina gathered at UNC-Chapel Hill from June 20-22 to participate in a workshop that helped them learn about new energy technologies and the future of the U.S. electric grid. The teachers … Continued

NASA-Funded Lake Level Monitoring Project Web Site Launched

The Lake Level Monitoring Project is an effort to better understand how the volume of water in lakes is changing over time. This NASA-funded project is a collaboration between the Department of Geological Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill, the UNC Institute … Continued

Meet a Student: Samantha Haughton ’19

Name: Sammie Haughton Hometown: Severna Park, MD Major: Environmental Science BS-Quantitative Energy Systems Track Minor: Computer Science Expected graduation: May 2019 What drew you to your major?  I came into college undecided, but have always been interested in the Environment, … Continued

Visiting air quality scientist to collaborate on R-LINE

While researching tools to help solve Barcelona’s air quality issues, Jaime Benavides came across a promising open-source modeling program called R-LINE that could help him forecast air quality in his home city. Benavides, an environmental engineering Ph.D. student focusing on … Continued

UNC researchers awarded National Science Foundation grant to study coastal development

By Rachel Greene In 2017, the words “bipartisan environmental legislation” may seem like an oxymoron. However, in 1982 when Congress passed a bill called the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), a bipartisan solution to environmental issues was not so far-fetched. … Continued

Inaugural IDEA 2.0 midsummer retreat hosted in Morehead City

On June 27-29, ten undergraduate geoscience students from IE’s IDEA program (Increasing Diversity and Enhancing Academia) traveled to Morehead City with program coordinators Megan Hoert Hughes and Kathleen Gray to participate in the first annual midsummer retreat. The IDEA 2.0 … Continued

Peden named interim director of UNC Institute for the Environment

Dr. David B. Peden, an expert on the human health effects of air pollution, has been named interim director of the UNC Institute for the Environment. His term begins July 1. Peden replaces Lawrence E. Band, who recently accepted the … Continued

Meet a Student: Will Hamilton ’19

Name: Will Hamilton Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC Major: Environmental Science (BS) Minor: Computer Science Expected graduation: May 2019   What drew you to your major? When I was in high school, I went to a semester school (Conserve School) that … Continued

Postcard from the Field: Thailand – Alfre Wimberley ’17

What is your name: Alfre Wimberley Major: B.S. Environmental Science, Minor Chemistry Expected graduation date: August 2017 Why did you want to go to the Thailand? I wanted to go to Thailand to explore a developing country also trying to … Continued

IE to assist Chapel Hill Public Library with creation of outdoor environmental learning opportunities

By Cinnamon Moore At a press conference at the Chapel Hill Public Library (CHPL) on June 8, North Carolina’s First Lady Kristin Cooper announced that the CHPL was among a select few to receive grants from the federal Institute of … Continued

Scientists discuss findings at annual Duke Energy Foundation meeting

By Rachel Greene Five UNC scientists connected to the Institute for the Environment presented their recent findings at an annual meeting with Duke Energy Foundation on Thursday, June 8, 2017. The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support for groups and … Continued

Binkowski celebrates 80th birthday with colleagues

By Cinnamon Moore A profile of Francis “Frank” Binkowski Over 80 years of his life, Francis (Frank) Binkowski has become a man of many titles—student, researcher, father, veteran, adventurer, among others—a reflection of how he has managed to pack his … Continued

IE Partner in New Statewide Water Quality Initiative

Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation awarded a $160,000 two-year grant to support a statewide citizen science water quality monitoring project to New River Conservancy on behalf of multiple non-profits and agencies across the state. Agencies participating in the formative stage of … Continued

Postcard from the Field: Galapagos – Emma Josephine Karlok ’19

What is your name: Emma Josephine Karlok Major: Environmental Studies Expected graduation date: May 2019 Why did you want to go to the Galapagos? I was really led to go to the Galapagos because of its notability as an ideal … Continued

IDEA Undergraduate Geoscience Students Present at Celebration of Undergraduate Research

On April 27, six undergraduate geoscientists presented posters at the 18th annual UNC Celebration of Undergraduate Research. The students – Karylle Abella (Mentor: Carol Arnosti and JP Balmonte, Marine Science), Ricardo Garcia (Mentor: Joel Hudley, Geology), Will Larsen (Mentor: Xiaoming … Continued

Area experts share perspectives on climate change post-election

By Cinnamon Moore In today’s heated and polarized political climate and a new presidential administration creating uncertainty, the 4th annual Climate Change Symposium convened four experts from the Triangle-region to discuss their perspectives on what a new presidency could mean … Continued

Arter wins Joseph A. Hartman Student Paper Competition

Calvin Arter, a first year Ph.D. environmental sciences and engineering student in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and research assistant to IE’s Sarav Arunachalam, recently won the Federal Aviation Administration ASCENT’s Joseph A. Hartman Student Paper Competition. Arter’s … Continued

IE exhibit teaches community about toxins in food and water

By Alexandra Grant UNC’s Institute for the Environment taught children and their parents about environmental toxins in food and water and how to make healthier food choices during Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s annual UNC Science Expo on Saturday, April … Continued

UNC students produce video for ENEC 259 in U.S. Virgin Islands

Fourty UNC-Chapel Hill students got first-hand experience in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet – coral reefs. As part of their Coral Reef Ecology and Management (ENEC 259) course, students learned about basic reef ecology, threats to … Continued

Arctic river ice deposits rapidly disappearing

Changes could impact wildlife that depend on Arctic rivers IE affiliate faculty member and UNC-Chapel Hill hydrologist Tamlin Pavelsky is the lead author of a new study published in Geophysical Research Letters, a journal of the American Geophysical Union, which … Continued

Postcard from the Field: Thailand – Emily McCrorie ’17

  What is your name: Emily McCrorie Major: Environmental Health Science Expected graduation date: May 2017 Why did you want to go to the Thailand Field Site? I wanted to participate in the Thailand Field Site in order to study … Continued

Postcard from the Field: Morehead City – Rachel Quindlen ’17

Name: Rachel Quindlen Major: Environmental Science, B.S., Marine Science minor Expected graduation date: August 2017 Hometown: Wilmington, NC Why did you want to go to the Field Site? It came highly recommended to me by my peers and professors. I … Continued

Postcard from the Field: Galapagos – Tia Decker ’17

Name: Tia Decker Major: Environmental Studies Expected graduation date: May 2017 Hometown: Jacksonville, NC Why did you want to go to the Galapagos Field Site? I wanted to go to the Galapagos Field Site because not only did I know … Continued

New Climate Stories NC video features poet

  Climate Stories NC seeks to capture the voices of ordinary North Carolinians—farmers, hunters, beekeepers, fishermen, Christmas tree growers and others whose lives have been affected by changes in the climate. The project, run by the Institute for the Environment … Continued

Band named joint distinguished professor at the University of Virginia

Lawrence E. Band, director of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Institute for the Environment, was named Ernest H. Ern Professor in Environmental Sciences and Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Virginia. He will step down after nine years as … Continued

UNC students study coral reefs while in U.S. Virgin Islands

Fourty UNC-Chapel Hill students got first-hand experience in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet – coral reefs. As part of their Coral Reef and Ecology and Management (ENEC 259) course, students learned about basic reef ecology, threats … Continued

Postcard from the Field: STFS – Morgane Pérez-Huet ’17

  What is your name: Morgane Pérez-Huet Major: Environmental Studies Expected graduation date: July 2017 Why did you want to go to the STFS? I wanted real-life experience. I wanted to use what I learned in class and apply it … Continued

Folt leads panel on public-private partnerships to enhance innovation at UNC Clean Tech Summit

By Alex Grant At the 4th Annual UNC Clean Tech Summit, Chancellor Carol L. Folt used her extensive background in education and biology to moderate a panel on ways to advance innovation through partnerships between universities and the private sector. … Continued

FAA awards grant to IE to examine air quality impacts of commercial air craft emissions

The Institute for the Environment will continue to study air quality impacts from commercial aircraft emissions with extended funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This grant provides $424,988 for the next year and charges IE to use its sophisticated … Continued

Gona ’16 uses writing to bring awareness to environmental issues

By Cinnamon Moore For many, finding a perfect career isn’t always straightforward. When Ashita Gona graduated from 2016 with a degree in journalism and was considering her career options, she thought it would be impossible to find anything that would … Continued

High school students from IE’s science enrichment program bring solar panels to East Chapel Hill High School

By Dana Haine The Duke Energy Carolinas/NC GreenPower Schools Going Solar grant program recently awarded a 5 kW solar photovoltaic system to East Chapel Hill High School (ECHHS). The grant application submitted by ECHHS was driven by student interest and … Continued

‘Triple bottom line: economy, quality of life, and the environment, will make communities more resilient,’ says Clements

By Cinnamon Moore UNC’s Institute for the Environment hosted Trevor Clements, president of Tetra Tech Engineering, P.C., for its Jan. 24 Clean Tech Luncheon. Clements discussed the history of the water system in the U.S. and what his company is … Continued

Duke Energy grant to enhance energy education; develop leaders

Vice Chancellor for Research Terry Magnuson (left), Institute for the Environment (IE) Board of Visitors Chair Reggie Holley, and IE Director Larry Band accept a check from Duke Energy’s Amy Strecker at the UNC men’s basketball game on Feb. 18. … Continued

High School Climate LEAP and IDEA Geoscience Students Meet Elected Officials at Saturday Academy

On Sat., Feb. 25, forty high school students from IE’s Climate Leadership and Energy Awareness Program (Climate LEAP) and the Increasing Diversity and Enhancing Academia Geoscience Program (IDEA), along with Action Fellows with the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE), joined … Continued

IE’s Environmental Resource Program wins NSF grant to enhance program for underrepresented minority students in geosciences

For the last five years, IE’s Environmental Resource Program has received funding from the National Science Foundation to administer high school and undergraduate programs that promote, encourage and support underrepresented minority students to pursue careers in the geosciences. The program … Continued

New NASA grant enlists North Carolinians to help measure water stored in NC lakes

Tamlin Pavelsky, an associate professor of global hydrology in the UNC Department of Geological Sciences and an affiliate faculty of the Institute for the Environment, has built a career on measuring rivers and lakes. Until now, he has used satellite … Continued

Workman joins IE at Highlands Field Site

By Alex Grant Sarah Workman, IE’s new site coordinator of the Highlands Field Site and associate director at the Highlands Biological Station, traces her love for the environment back to her roots. Workman grew up between Tennessee and North Carolina … Continued

IE’s Tony Reevy featured in APNEP Q + A

To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Albemarle-Pamlico Sound Estuary Partnership (APNEP) is highlighting its history by featuring various partners throughout 2017. In the latest installment, IE’s Senior Associate Director Tony Reevy shares his reflections as a former chair and policy board … Continued

Gov. Roy Cooper (’79, ’82) and others to headline UNC Clean Tech Summit in March

The UNC Clean Tech Summit convenes professionals in business, policy and academia for two days of problem-solving to foster leadership and growth in the Southeast’s clean tech industry.  The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) will host its fourth … Continued

Dr. Jason West welcomed the New Year with a candid talk on climate change

On January 4, more than 100 UNC students, faculty, staff, and community members joined Dr. Jason West, Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at UNC Chapel Hill, in a Carolina Science Café conversation about global climate … Continued

IE’s IDEA program featured at AGU

By Alexandra Grant IE’s IDEA Program (Increasing Diversity and Enhancing Academia) was well-represented at the 2016 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall meeting in San Francisco. This NSF-funded program provides undergraduate research experiences to underrepresented minority students in the geosciences through … Continued

Student Profile: Michael Muoio

Name: Michael Muoio Hometown: Cary, NC High School: Green Hope High School Major(s)/Minor(s): B.S. Environmental Science: Concentration in Renewable Energy, Business Minor, Chemistry Minor Expected Graduation: 2017 University highlights, achievements, awards: Dean’s List, 2015 NextEra Energy Resources Fellow, 2015 National … Continued

UNC Chapel-Hill receives RAPID funding from NSF to study water quality in aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

A team of researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University are studying contaminants in the waters near the Lumber River and its tributaries after heavy rains from Hurricane Matthew caused extreme flooding and impacted a large swath of eastern … Continued