Department Newsletter: 02-06-2024
EES NEWSLETTER
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6, 2024
Earth & environmental sciences & geographical & sustainability sciences joint seminar
2/9/2024 - 3:30 - 5PM, 106 gilmore hall
please note this week’s seminar is in gilmore hall (If you need directions or have questions, please contact clas-ees@uiowa.edu)
Presenter: Dr. Susan Meerdink, Assistant Professor - GSS - UI
Title: Monitoring dynamics of invasive plants using remote sensing and machine learning tools
Abstract: Invasive plant species remain one of the primary threats to ecosystems because they alter critical ecosystem functions and suppress native species' ability to respond to changes in environmental conditions. Accumulation of invaders is projected to increase over the next two decades. Detection and long-term monitoring of invasions provide valuable ecological information and ultimately guide management decisions. One of the challenges of managing invasives across landscapes is determining where they are located, particularly at the early stages of an invasion, where they occur at low densities mixed with native vegetation. Traditional surveys through ground efforts are often infeasible due to cost and logistics, especially when considering repeat surveys are needed to determine spread. Remote sensing could improve response to invasions by providing accurate and affordable repeat imagery as a more cost-effective way to monitor spread. This research explores our ability to detect invasives using multi-spectral remote sensing and a machine-learning approach adapted to detect invasives at low densities with imprecision in the dataset. Here we show data from the Everglades National Park, which presents an ideal case study for using remote sensing to capture invasive species spread because the majority of the park is accessible only by watercraft or helicopter, making monitoring and managing invasive plant populations exceptionally difficult and costly.
Presenter: Dr. Valerie Payre - Assistant Professor - ESS - UI
Title: Unraveling Mars' Crustal Evolution: Use of Remote Sensing and Experimental Petrology
Abstract: The geology of planetary bodies, especially in the inner Solar System, is mainly studied by remote sensing with mid-infrared (MIR) and visible/near infrared (VNIR) spectrometer onboard spacecrafts. The discovery of complex impacted surfaces, especially in the igneous realm, demonstrated that although spectroscopy allow to decipher the mineralogy of planetary surfaces, many minerals cannot be detected, leading to debates and misinterpretations of the nature of outcrops.
On Mars, the finding of felsic rocks by the Curiosity rover and feldspar-rich rocks from VNIR orbital spectroscopy was an excitement for the planetary community since Mars’ crust, thought to be a basaltic world, might actually be dichotomic with possible felsic and mafic components. The lack of high-resolution images and remote sensing instrument limitations prevent a characterization of these feldspar-rich outcrops, suggested in the literature to be either feldspar-rich basalts, anorthosites, feldspar cumulates, granites, or felsic lava flows. The magmatic implications of each of these rocks are distinct, and unraveling their petrology is therefore essential to untangle the petrology and complexity of the Martian crust. Laboratory analyses on Martian igneous samples, analog samples, and various mineral mixtures are necessary to better constrain the limitations of remote sensing and assess the petrology of igneous terrains, which will be a work presented in the talk. I will present a helicopter concept mission that will be proposed next year to NASA to fly over feldspar-rich outcrops and characterize their petrology. The occurrence of felsic rocks on Mars has been a surprised and even though many igneous processes can explain their formation, an onset of plate tectonic is also a possibility that will be discussed in the talk.
The seminar is a summary of the research conducted by the undergraduate and graduate students of the Planetary Exploration Group in the EES department. Petrography observations, laboratory spectral results, experimental work, as well as orbital VNIR and rover data will be presented to provide insights into the complexity of Mars’ crust and its evolution through time and space.
Reminders:
- Withdraw registration
- 75% tuition + fees: 2/5 - 2/11
- 100 tuition + fees: 2/12
- Final exam schedule published spring 24: 2/12/24
- Degree application deadline: 2/23/24
- Late fee in effect: 2/24/24
- Plans of study - grad students due at grad college: 3/5/2024
- Early registration - summer 2024: 3/4 - 3/8/24
- Spring break: 3/10 - 3/17/24
- Early registration - fall 2024: 4/8 - 4/26/24
- Last day to drop a course - undergrad/grad: 4/15/24
- Last day to withdraw without collegiate approval - undergrad/grad: 4/15/24
- Final exam reports due - grad - 4/16/24
- Single thesis deposit (5pm CST) - 4/23/24
- Close of classes: 5/3/24
- Final exam week: 5/6 - 5/10/24
Students, Faculty, & Alumni: Distinguished Alumni Award nominations!
Since 2019 your Earth and Environmental Science Alumni Board have announced a Distinguished Alumni Awardee. A “Distinguished Alumni” is alumni with a B.S., M.S., or Ph. D. who is recognized from making significant contributions to earth and environmental sciences throughout their careers, and personified service to and passion for the discipline and community, including public outreach. All nominations are kept on file so no nominee is ever “lost” in the review and selection process. The Distinguished Alumni is announced each year at Homecoming.
Please send your nominations to Lee Phillips, EESB Chair (plphilli@uncg.edu), Brian Hartman (brianshartman@gmail.com), Chair of the Alumni Outreach Committee, which oversees this award process, and Amy Sullivan, alumni and Past EESB Chair (cajes@mindspring.com) who coordinates nominee documentation. From that point the Alumni Outreach Committee will move forward with the review and documentation process. Let’s honor our awesome alumni!
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
PROFESSIONAL/POST-GRAD
$97,236 Per Year - Full Time
The Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) performs the critical function of interpreting Wyoming’s geologic history and working to understand its geologic hazards and natural resources, such as water, minerals, and energy. We provide geology-related information needed to navigate the state’s economic and environmental challenges, and to benefit the people of Wyoming. Join our team of talented and dedicated staff to make a difference in a state with an area of 97,000 square miles exposing more than 3 billion years of geologic history, from the Wyoming Craton to Yellowstone Volcano.
This position leads a team of 4–6 staff geologists, as well as conducting independent field and laboratory geologic research in support of agency goals. This position provides project management and technical oversight for more than one-third of the geologic studies produced by the WSGS. This person is responsible for grant writing, budget preparation, and contracting work; they also guide the direction of the division and report directly to the state geologist.
This staff member coordinates with state and federal agencies to execute the mission of the WSGS. A broad range of areas of expertise in the geosciences will be considered for this position. This is an on-site, full-time position based in Laramie, Wyoming.
Chairperson/Professor - East Tennessee State University ATTN: Geosciences - Johnson City, Tennessee
Full Time
The Department of Geosciences at East Tennessee State University seeks an outstanding scholar and administrator for the position of Chair to begin July 2024. The department has ten tenured and tenure-track faculty and two lecturers. Geosciences offers a BS degree with four concentrations: Geography and Sustainability, Geology and Environment, Geospatial Analysis, and Paleontology, a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems, and an MS degree with concentrations in Geospatial Analysis and Paleontology. We serve approximately 110 undergraduate majors, twenty-five master’s degree students, and twenty graduate certificate students per academic year. The department is known for its strong teaching and service record and rapidly growing research effort. We provide students with hands-on experiences and interdisciplinary learning, professional preparation, and opportunities for career advancement. We encourage exploration to further scientific knowledge, foster community partnerships, and develop innovative solutions for problems facing society.
The chair is expected to foster and promote scholarly productivity and the visibility of an active faculty while supporting innovative and high-quality teaching. We expect the successful candidate to prepare our graduates to enter and lead in an increasingly complex and multifaceted world. They should have demonstrated leadership ability and effective communication skills.
The Department of Geosciences is affiliated with the Gray Fossil Site & Museum and the Center for Excellence in Paleontology (www.etmnh.org/). It is also the home of the Tennessee Climate Office at ETSU (www.etsu.edu/tn-climate). We are looking for a scholar who will uphold our commitment to our students, colleagues, and the Appalachian Highlands region we serve, in deep consideration for the diversity of our faculty, staff, students, university community, and region.
ETSU is committed to ensuring that our students, faculty, and staff are valued and work in an environment of openness and acceptance. ETSU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
Required Qualifications:
- Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in a Geosciences related field.
- Applicants should have a proven track record of teaching and research appropriate for a Tenured associate or full professor position.
- History of campus and community involvement beyond the departmental level
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in leadership, supervisory and evaluative duties, and program management.
Review of applications will begin on2/26/2024
Search Committee Chair:
Dr. Daryl A. Carter
Associate Dean/Community Relations & Outreach
(423) 439-7429
To apply for this position, please visit us at: https://jobs.etsu.edu/postings/27597
INTERNSHIP, RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, & GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNSHIP
KGS Geohydrology Internship Program (paid summer research for undergrad or grad students.)
Kansas Geological Survey - Lawrence, Kansas
$15.00 - $18.00 Per Hour - Internship
The Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas is hiring 3-5 interns for summer 2024 to contribute to funded research projects. Projects that may support interns in 2024 include:
- evaluating irrigation management strategies to promote groundwater sustainability
- statistical modeling of water availability and/or water quality
- investigating statewide and regional groundwater quality data
- regional climate change scenario assessment
The positions are available for upper-level undergraduates, recent graduates, or graduate students
with an interest in interdisciplinary water science, including biogeochemistry, ecohydrology, and
hydrogeology. The anticipated internship period is 12 weeks of full-time work with a flexible
start date in May/June. Internships are open to current students (undergrad or grad) and recent
graduates and paid at $15/hr-$18/hr.
More info including eligibility and to apply: https://employment.ku.edu/staff/26967BR
Review begins February 19.
$15.00 Per Hour - Full Time
Our program is designed to provide academic and professional development by equipping interns with the knowledge and resources required to excel in geoscience-related research.
This year, we are planning to hire six interns to join a karst related research team that will investigate a specific section of the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The team will meticulously collect information on the area's karst, geomorphology, and related other features, including terrain characteristics, hydrological patterns, and historical changes. To ensure a valuable learning experience, each intern will be paired with a mentor who will guide them through the 10-week program, which includes a final presentation and poster session. The results of each project will contribute to a better understanding of geological processes in the Red River Gorge.
Eligible applicants are:
- Undergraduate and master's level students enrolled at a higher education institution in Kentucky or surrounding area. This includes but is not limited to the University of Cincinnati, Marshall University, Hanover College, etc.,
- Students interested in geoscience and related field such as environmental science, physics, engineering, public health, or geography.
- Able to commit 40 hours per week for ten weeks.
- Able to attend the program seminars and field experiences.
Apply by February 11!
More info here: https://www.uky.edu/KGS/intern/program2024.php
Green Corps Organizer Program - The Field School for Environmental Organizing
Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day.
The planet needs all the help it can get. To win now and build a strong foundation for lasting progress, we need people who know how to organize: to run organizations and campaigns that will inspire the support and action we need to save our environment. Our program starts with intensive classroom training. You learn about issues and campaigns, organizing theory and principles, and skills from recruiting volunteers to staging a media event. Then, you move to a more hands-on experience. You make a difference on important campaigns to transition our country to clean energy, protect wildlife, and more. For example, Lauren Karpinski, an organizer from the Green Corps Class of 2019, brought together a coalition of 40 groups that helped win a landmark solar energy bill in Arkansas.
We’re accepting the top 20 candidates for our 2024-2025 program. Graduates will join our more than 400 alumni who are leading environmental campaigns and organizations across the country. If you’re passionate about the environment and ready to learn and practice the craft of organizing after graduation, apply today!
Not a graduating senior? Add your name to our list to receive updates about Green Corps including summer internships and jobs in the environmental and broader social change field!
Green Corps’ year-long program begins in August 2024 with introductory classroom training, and continues with field placements in multiple locations across the U.S. Candidates must be willing to relocate. Please contact Margaret Corcoran at margaret@greencorps.org with additional questions.
Green Corps is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit publicinterestnetwork.org to learn more. Green Corps is an equal opportunity employer. The target annual compensation for this position is $32,500 (but compensation may range between $32,500 and $39,000 depending on location). Green Corps' benefits package includes medical insurance for employees and dependents, needs-based student loan assistance, commuter benefit program, sick pay (60-72 hours/year depending on location), and 80 hours (2 weeks) of accrued vacation. We also offer short-term positions, an excellent training program, and opportunities for advancement.
Paid Summer Research Internship at UT Austin - Jackson School Geosciences - Austin, Texas
The Jackson School of Geosciences (JSG) at the University of Texas at Austin invites you to apply to the Research Traineeship Experience (RTX), https://www.jsg.utexas.edu/education-360/programs/research-traineeship-experience-rtx/.
The RTX is a paid summer research and training program for undergraduates and postbaccalaureates interested in careers and graduate study in geoscience, planetary science, Earth resources and the energy transition. All STEM majors are encouraged to apply!
- June 3-August 2, 2024
- 9-week paid summer research & training program at UT Austin
- On-campus housing provided at no expense plus financial support for travel and meal allowance
- Undergraduates and recent graduates engage with JSG researchers in research projects and develop coding and data analysis skills
- Apply by the deadline of February 23
Marine Debris Internship - Delaware Sea Grant - Lewes, Delaware
Closing date: Mar 3, 2024
The Marine Debris Internship is an opportunity to dive deep into MAS programs and play an integral role in their planning and implementation. It will allow the intern to understand the tremendous breadth of topics MAS specialists work in, including coastal hazards and preparedness, coastal ecology, environmental education, fisheries, social science, and climate change, and the required skills to become an effective extension-educator.
The intern will gain hands-on experiences working alongside MAS specialists and University of Delaware scientists to help collect, manage, and communicate data on the Mid-Atlantic region’s marine debris prevention priorities. The intern will investigate derelict fishing gear prevention policies, perform stakeholder analyses, and assist in advancing marine debris prevention technologies through:
- Researching derelict crab pot prevention policies and programs nationwide
- Conducting interviews within Delaware’s recreational blue crab fishery
- Assessing and field-testing novel technologies in derelict gear prevention (e.g. crab pots, fish pots, acoustic receivers, etc.).
- Exposure to current derelict fishing gear removal technologies
- Building their professional network and marine debris knowledge
The intern may also work on a host of Delaware Sea Grant projects to include our submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration projects, coastal stewardship projects, and education programs for K-12 students and teachers, including delivering public presentations.
Qualifications and Requirements: A current or recently graduated undergraduate or graduate student studying natural resources, marine science, earth science, and/or science education is preferred, but all applications will be considered. Experience with or interest in science outreach/education/communication (including public speaking), community engagement, and experimental design are preferred. The intern must be willing to work on boats, lift heavy gear, and potentially get wet/muddy.
Internship Logistics: This is a paid internship. The internship will begin June 3, 2024, and run for 10 weeks. The intern will typically work at least 20 hours per week and up to 29 hours per week, and will be in a hybrid format, where some in-person work will be required at the UD Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes, Delaware or at designated Delaware field sites, and some work can be accomplished virtually. Local and statewide travel, outside of daily commute, may be required and will be reimbursed. Required field gear will be provided if the intern does not have their own.
Application Process: Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to Brittany Haywood at haywoobl@udel.edu by COB March 18, 2024. Selected candidates may be asked to provide additional application materials and participate in a phone/video interview.
For more information about Delaware Sea Grant and the Marine Advisory Service, contact Brittany Haywood (haywoobl@udel.edu) with specific questions.
RESEARCH
Paid Summer Research Opportunity - Atmospheric Sciences, REALM REU
University of Utah, Atmospheric Sciences - Salt lake City, UT
You will get a $6000 stipend for 10 weeks, a $1000 travel allowance, housing is paid for the entire 10 weeks and add research experience on your CV.
The Research Experience in Alpine Meteorology (REALM) will rely on the natural scientific laboratory, provided by the nearby Wasatch Mountains and adjacent urban areas, to enhance student awareness of societal challenges, such as water availability and air quality, that requires an understanding of the influence of alpine terrain on weather and climate processes.
The Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah is the leading program for weather and climate education and research in the Intermountain West and is recognized internationally for its expertise in atmospheric studies related to mountain environments, including measurement, analysis and prediction of orographic precipitation; fire weather applications; and air quality.
The objectives for REALM are to:
- Engage students in full-time active research.
- Provide professional development opportunities for students.
- Motivate students towards STEM careers by constructing an engaging, inclusive, and supportive cohort experience that includes exposing them through site visits to employment opportunities in the weather, water, and climate enterprise.
- Improve students' science literacy and oral and written communication skills.
REALM has been designed to welcome and support underrepresented students from a variety of backgrounds in a highly inclusive environment. Applications from minority serving institutions and 2-year institutions are strongly encouraged.
FELLOWSHIP
GLORIA Great Basin Peak Opportunity Fellowships 2024
GLORIA Great Basin surveys have long been an amazing opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain invaluable field experience in botany and field ecology while making connections with their peers and professionals in non-profits, academia, and in state and federal agencies. However, GLORIA Great Basin also recognizes that there are students from marginalized groups that face barriers which exclude them from research opportunities, especially for opportunities in remote mountains that pose the unique challenges of transportation, field gear, and time. Through our Peak Opportunity Fellowships, GLORIA Great Basin will fully support two students (upper-division undergraduate or graduate students) to join us in our surveys in the White Mountains this summer. We will provide the successful applicants with transportation, field gear, room and board, and wages (totaling up to $2,500 per student), and mentorship (e.g., facilitating networking, providing guidance on job applications, etc.) both leading up to and following the field campaign. Fieldwork will be in the White Mountains on July 15 – 21st 2024. Applicants must be available for the entire field-survey dates.
Fellowships will be awarded on a competitive basis, and we encourage students that self-identify along one or more of the following axes of diversity to apply:
- First-generation college student (neither parent/guardian having completed a baccalaureate degree) or from an economically disadvantaged background
- Member of an ethnic or racial group that has been historically excluded from graduate education and STEM, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous (American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, other Native Pacific Islander) and/or Latinx
- Other groups that have been historically excluded from graduate education and STEM, including but not limited to those who manage a disability, identify as LGBTQ+, military veterans, holders of DACA, TPS, refugee, or asylee status, and single parents.
The awardee will be selected by GLORIA Great Basin Board with the following selection criteria:
- Interest of the student in global change and conservation in mountains
- Overall experiential strength of the application
To apply, please submit a 1) a CV including 1-2 references, and 2) a 1-page statement that describes your current research interests, self-identification of axes of diversity, and how this fellowship will contribute to your future goals to coordinator@gloriagreatbasin.org. The application deadline is April 1, 2024
GRANT
Hawkeye experience grant for summer 2024
For summer 2024, undergraduates can apply for up to $4,000 in funds to support their living expenses while they participate in an experience in one of these categories (Internship at a for-profit, non-profit, or government entity; Internship via the Office of Study Abroad; Service-learning/Community Engagement; Research or Creative Scholarship; or Field Experience).
NASA MSI INCUBATOR Wildfire Climate Tech Challenge - Remote
$100,000 Per Year - Contract
NASA’s Earth Science Division is actively seeking innovative approaches from students and employees of Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) to effectively address both natural and climate change-exacerbated wildfires. The NASA MSI INCUBATOR - Wildfire Climate Tech Challenge invites competition submissions that encompass the entire lifecycle of wildland fires.
The program's objectives are twofold:
1. To identify and potentially augment existing NASA resources to provide added capability to aid wildland fire management by operational agencies. This involves exploring ways to enhance NASA's Earth observation capabilities, refine or adapt technologies, and integrate new machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions to assist fire managers.
2. To guide the winning teams in establishing commercially viable startup businesses in the realm of Wildfire Climate Tech, tailored to meet both
commercial and NASA's specific requirements. The first round of the competition requires a short 5-page white paper and a 2-to-3- minute video.
Submissions are due February 2nd, 2024 (5PM PST)
From the submissions, roughly 6-9 semi-finalists will be selected to present their ideas to a panel of judges who will score their presentations in a business startup pitch format.
Up to three (3) finalists will be awarded an invitation to participate in the incubator program and a prize of $100,000. The prize funding and multi-week startup incubator program will offer winners the unique opportunity to develop concrete business plans, connect with industry stakeholders, and showcase their progress live at a Demo Day in June 2024, at a location (TBD), with travel and accommodations arranged for the participants.
Blue Clarity, has been chosen to administer the program for NASA.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CAMPUS EVENTS
The Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI) at the University of Iowa College of Law is hosting a series of events this spring semester that will explore the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act in Iowa, climate resilience and justice, international environmental enforcement, and land conservation in Iowa and the Midwest region after Sackett v. EPA.
Registration is available for each event at the links below. Each event has a virtual and in person attendance option. All events are free and open to the public.
With questions, contact the HELI team at lawmail-HELI@uiowa.edu.
Feb. 16: 10AM - 4PM: The Inflation Reduction Act in Iowa: Implementing the Clean Energy and Climate Provisions
- The "Inflation Reduction Act in Iowa: Implementing the Clean Energy and Climate Provisions" panel series will be held in the Boyd Law Building on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Join HELI, the UI Labor Center, and the Iowa Environmental Council for a series of panels discussing the Inflation Reduction Act in Iowa. Panels will focus on national trends in the landmark climate legislation, state and local opportunities currently underway, and labor and wages in Iowa.
- Registration for this event is open. Food and beverages will be provided for those who register in advance.
Feb. 23: 12:45 - 1:45P: Rob Verchick: "The Octopus in the Parking Garage: A Call for Climate Resilience" Book Talk
- On Friday, February 23, 2024 HELI will welcome to campus author and leading climate law scholar Rob Verchick. Verchick will give a talk on his new book: The Octopus in the Parking Garage: A Call for Climate Resilience which was recently awarded Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2023. The talk will explore what climate resilience has looked like throughout history, and what society can do to adapt and thrive, while emphasizing why climate resilience is a necessary step towards climate justice.
- Food and beverages will be provided for those who register in advance. Registration for this event is open here
March 18: 12:45 - 1:45PM: International Perspectives on Environmental Enforcement: Plastics, Climate, Monitoring Technologies, Environmental Justice and More
- On Monday, March 18, 2024 join HELI in welcoming LeRoy Paddock (77JD) to campus to reflect on the work occurring at the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, in preparation for the International Summit on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement in Queensland, Australia in November 2024. Lee will focus on plastics, climate, monitoring, and environmental justice.
- Food and beverages will be available for those who register in advance. Registration for this event is open here
- In April 2024, HELI will convene partners from the national, regional, and local scales for a series of panels discussing land conservation in Iowa and the Midwest region after Sackett v. EPA. The exact date is TBA, but will be announced soon.
- Food and beverages will be provided for those who register in advance. Registration for this event is open here
WORKSHOPS
4TH ANNUAL RESILIENT SUPPLY OF CRITICAL MINERALS WORKSHOP - AUGUST 7 - 8, 2024, MISSOURI S&T
Missouri S&T is excited to host the fourth annual workshop on “Resilient Supply of Critical Minerals.” The workshop series brings together interdisciplinary stakeholders from academia, industry, and government. Our goal is to provide a long-term collaborative platform to help implement action and disseminate research on critical minerals.
Registration opens April 2024
2024 Topical Sessions including:
- The Critical Mineral Potential of the US: Evaluation of existing and exploration for new resources
- Critical Minerals Workforce Development: How to grow the US critical minerals workforce
- Mineral Processing & Recycling: Maximizing critical mineral recovery from existing production streams
- Policy & Supply Chain Economics: Reshoring critical mineral production
Workshop sponsor: National Science Foundation
WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING IN THE WEEKLY EES NEWSLETTER?
The EES Department newsletter is published every Tuesday during the academic year, outside of semester breaks. If you would like to add an event, club meeting, or other item of interest, please submit an email to clas-ees@uiowa.edu, with the subject heading "Newsletter Item," on Fridays by noon, and your submission will be added to the following Tuesday's newsletter.