Institute professors receive Junior Faculty Development Awards

March 31, 2016

Three faculty members from the Institute for the Environment were chosen as recipients for Junior Faculty Development Awards this academic year. The awards were selected by an interdisciplinary committee chaired by UNC-Chapel HIll’s executive vice chancellor and provost, James W. Dean, Jr. Each professor received $7,500 to be used for their individual projects in 2016.

“It is rare for one academic unit to receive three faculty development awards,” said IE Director, Larry Band. “We are pleased to have our junior faculty recognized in this way. It is a testament to the innovative work they are pursing and will advance their endeavors in improving environmental research, education and outreach.”

Jordan Kern (pictured left), research assistant professor. Kern’s award will allow him to develop a new energy course for Carolina undergrads. The course will include lectures on topics such as the electricity industry, analytics, and energy policy. In addition, it will require students to immerse themselves in a semester-long research project on an energy topic of high importance to the state of North Carolina. The class also will offer Carolina students an opportunity to develop the in-demand skills of data management and coding.

Jared Bowden (pictured middle), research assistant professor. Bowden plans to use his award to build on his ongoing research to understand and project the impacts of climate change on the Southeastern region of the U.S. The research will provide information for decision-makers on how climate change impacts in the region may impact human health. Bowden will earmark part of the award for a workshop for climate and environmental scientists to collaborate on future research in this area.

Jon Duncan (pictured right), research assistant professor. Duncan’s funding will be used to conduct water quality monitoring in urban watersheds. His current research studies the sources of nitrogen pollution and its impacts on ecosystems. These new studies will inform watershed management practices, such as developing and implementing stream restoration practices.