Emory University • Department of Environmental Sciences

09/02/2026

We kicked off ENVS Waffle Wednesday with a new tradition this year, the Bug Toast! Thanks to Dr. Pynne, some entomophagy (the practice of eating insects) was enjoyed (?) by some intrepid ENVS students and Professor Saikawa.

Others just enjoyed the homemade waffles and Vermont maple syrup!

As always, everyone is welcome at Waffle Wednesday throughout the semester. Waffles start at noon and usually last until 1:00. Join us and bring a friend (5th floor, MSC, ENVS office suite).
Emory College of Arts and Sciences Emory University

09/01/2026

This summer, ENVS senior Colby Feldman traveled to Corrientes, Argentina as a Halle Institute Undergraduate Global Research Fellow (in partnership with Emory Pathways). At the Estación Biológica Corrientes , she learned about ongoing One Health research conducted by Dr. Gimena Illia on the transmission dynamics of antimicrobial resistance across interconnected host populations and their environments. While working as a field assistant, Colby followed and collected samples from Black and Gold Howler Monkeys, connected with the local community, and refined her laboratory skills.

This fall, she will continue her work in the Gillespie Lab - conducting an independent research project using Black and Gold Howler Monkey samples!

Emory College of Arts and Sciences

08/18/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Alex Baecher to Emory's Department of Environmental Sciences! Dr. Baecher joins ENVS as an Assistant Professor in Applied Ecology.

Dr. Baecher’s Qμest Lab is an applied quantitative ecology research group studying the processes that govern the distribution of biodiversity across space and time — from beneficial species to invasive and disease-vector species alike. His research integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, large observational datasets, modern statistical and forecasting tools, and high-performance computing.

Dr. Baecher is currently recruiting undergraduate students to his research group - make sure to check out his faculty page on ENVS and the lab website: https://questlab.eco/

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr. Baecher!

06/12/2026

One of the hallmarks of the ENVS experience here at Emory is taking your classroom learning into the field.

In spring, students in ENVS 242: Modern & Ancient Tropical Environments Field Course (San Salvador Island, Bahamas) and ENVS 372: Ecology of the Tropics Field Course (Peru) spent a week engaged in a fully immersive field experience.

The ENVS department offers field course scholarships to support these experiences for ENVS students through the Lester Field Course Scholarship.

https://emory-envs.blog/2026/06/10/envs-in-the-field-spring-2026/

05/12/2026

We had THE BEST day celebrating the ENVS class of 2026 on Friday! To the ENVS grads, enjoy this time together and thank you for spending some time with us this afternoon. Remember to keep in touch and come for Wednesday Waffles when you are in town.

05/06/2026

A most heartfelt congratulations to Sonya Doubledee C'26 and Madelyn Hill C'26 for being the ENVS Hickcox (Sonya) and ENVS Wegner (Madelyn) award recipients!

The Hickcox Award represents an ENVS graduating senior who displays significant leadership, presence and service within the ENVS department and Emory community.

The John Wegner Award is given annually in recognition of achievement by an ENVS student who has conducted applied research around themes of environmental conservation, campus sustainability or field ecology.

The list of accomplishments for both Sonya and Madelyn cannot be contained in an online post! We have linked the article below to read about these OUTSTANDING ENVS students. We are so honored that they have called ENVS home for the last four years!

HICKCOX AWARD The Hickcox Award represents an ENVS graduating senior who displays significant leadership, presence and service within the ENVS department and Emory community. The Hickcox Award is n…

04/17/2026

We had THE BEST afternoon celebrating Professor Lance Gunderson's retirement! Thanks to everyone who joined us to honor the founding chair of the Department of Environmental Sciences!

While we cannot officially re-name the department, we are unofficially calling ourselves the Gunderson Department of Environmental Sciences :)