Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University

02/01/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Amy Fowler!

For today's , we congratulate Amy Fowler, Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, for earning the Dean’s Emerging Leader Award. 🌟 Fowler is an expert in aquatic invertebrate ecology, with a focus on biodiversity, phenotypic plasticity, and invasive species. She currently leads a laboratory studying host-parasite interactions, invasion dynamics, and the management of commercially and recreationally important aquatic invertebrates. Fowler's research spans freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems, both in the U.S. and internationally.

In addition to her research, Fowler served as interim chair of her department for a year, successfully managing daily operations while launching initiatives aimed at strengthening the department's future, all while maintaining her teaching load and research productivity. She is also the associate director of the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center and has gained attention for her "Zombie Crab" research in the Chesapeake Bay. In 2024, Fowler received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to conduct research in Finland on invasive crab species in the Baltic Sea, further expanding her global research impact.

Learn more about Fowler and all our Dean's Award winners: science.gmu.edu/celebrationofsuccess2024

01/30/2025

Call for Judges for the Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
Please register by March 14, 2025. Register as a judge: https://tinyurl.com/FCPSJudge
Science Fair Website: https://fcps.edu/sciencefair
Fairfax County Public Schools

01/24/2025

Prof. Cindy Smith and her Biomes and Human Dimensions students visited a composting facility last fall to give them a front-row seat for food and yard waste recycling.
College of Science at George Mason University
Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center
George Mason University
Convertus

Cindy Smith, a professor in George Mason University's Department of Environmental Science and Policy, took her EVPP 302 Biomes and Human Dimensions students to a composting facility last fall to give them a front-row seat for food and yard waste recycling.

01/20/2025

The Rachel Carson Council RCC National Environment Leadership Fellowship (NELF) Program is designed to identify outstanding students with a passion for environmental education, organizing, and advocacy and provide them with financial support to carry out valuable projects and campaigns on behalf of the RCC. To apply to the program, students propose projects that are focused on sustainability and environmental justice to be carried out from their campuses and their communities. Individuals considering applying to the program may consider a wide variety of potential projects. Former fellows have run projects ranging from divestment campaigns to podcasts on environmental justice issues to campaigns for renewable energy infrastructure.
https://apply.workable.com/rachel-carson-council/j/F988C1A688/
***The deadline to apply for the 2025-2026 NELF program is April 15, 2025***

01/20/2025

For those of you who are applying to Virginia Sea Grant fellowships, please take note of the upcoming (Jan-Mar) deadlines.
See this link for fellowship descriptions, deadlines, and application instructions: https://action.vaseagrant.org/v.pl?6da0da7cbddcb29971fc0d90701164d5b3d921f22de163af

12/19/2024

Professor of environmental science and policy Younsung Kim was at the COP29 Azerbaijan conference last month where she spoke about carbon markets.
https://science.gmu.edu/news/younsung-kim-speaks-about-carbon-markets-korea-pavilion-event-cop-29-baku-azerbaijan

College of Science at George Mason University
George Mason University

12/19/2024

The Final Gunston Cove Report for 2023 is officially available! You can view it now on the PEREC website under "Research" or by clicking the link in our bio. 🌊🦀🌿
🏷: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University College of Science at George Mason University

12/05/2024

Professor of environmental science and policy Younsung Kim of the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University was invited to moderate the 8th APEC Energy Efficiency Policy Workshop in Tianjin, China on Nov 5., 2024.
https://science.gmu.edu/news/8th-apec-energy-efficiency-policy-workshop-moderated-younsung-kim

12/04/2024

Congratulations to assistant professor Ted Chen and his collaborators!

George Mason University researchers are conducting a groundbreaking social network analysis of organizations committed to environmental and climate justice. Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University assistant professor Ted Chen, along with College of Education and Human Development - George Mason University faculty members Sammie Powers, Hung-Ling Liu, and Ellen B. Drogin Rodgers, received $300K from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to map these networks, helping identify key partnerships for advancing climate adaptation and conservation. Their work will inform both national and regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers.

Learn more about their research: https://science.gmu.edu/news/researchers-conducting-social-network-analysis-environmental-justice-and-climate-justice

11/26/2024

Reel No. 2 in a series of reels produced by the amazing team at Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center introducing our new department chair Dr. Gad Perry.
Welcome to Dr. Perry!

11/25/2024

The application window for the Virginia Sea Grant Graduate Fellowship and the Hanbury - VASG Research Fellowship (established in 2023) is currently open.
For more information, deadlines, and to apply, see:
https://action.vaseagrant.org/v.pl?acbcaead893867b1cbad53710e6ece1b5b8a96df2578035c

11/22/2024

Here's the first video from a series being produced for the social media feeds of the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center which features our new department chair, Dr. Gad Perry.

11/21/2024

Congratulations to Dr. R. Chris Jones on being awarded the Environmental Science Award during the Scientists Awards Program 2024 ceremony at the Virginia Academy of Science in Richmond on November 14, 2024.

"The awardee is a person who in the last five years has worked in Virginia and the science community accomplishing outstanding research or environmental science practice that has benefited the Commonwealth of Virginia."

Also present at the ceremony in Richmond was ESP department chair Dr. Gad Perry and COS interim dean Dr. Cody Edwards.

Dr. Richard Groover of VAS presented the awards. He is an ESP alum and adjunct.

College of Science at George Mason University
Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center

See the FB post from VAS: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaacademyofscience/posts/pfbid02qjbvGXtsLj4sZg2rfe25xiYd2Ro4ACby8cbw2hbPwhyAJy5Gjw3N2mwHsAJWytUel

10/29/2024

Offered in spring 2025:
This course discusses the mechanisms and frameworks steering contemporary international biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.