Department of Environmental Science & Technology - University of Maryland

08/31/2026

Welcome back, Terps! 🐢❤️💛
A new semester is here, and we’re so excited to have our students back on campus. Wishing everyone a great first day and a successful Fall 2026 semester!

Let’s make it a great one. Go Terps! 🐢✨

08/21/2026

Newest minor!

New Chesapeake Bay Minor offered by University of Maryland 🌊

Department of Environmental Science & Technology, in partnership with the Department of Geological, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, is introducing a new minor this fall titled "Chesapeake Bay: Watersheds and Water Resources."

Available to all Terps, the new Chesapeake Bay minor will provide students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ecosystems and watersheds that are vital to the Bay's health, providing a strong foundation for estuarine work anywhere in the world.

https://go.umd.edu/2d6x Chesapeake Bay Foundation

08/20/2026

🌱 Meet Eni Baballari! 🌎

As a Lecturer and Academic Advisor in ENST, Eni brings her passion for soil science, environmental sustainability, and student success into everything she does. 🌎🌱

Thank you, Eni, for being such an important part of our ENST family!

Interested in Environmental Science and Technology at UMD? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us to learn more about ENST, our programs, and opportunities to get involved. 💚

08/18/2026

Field research in action!🌱

ENST students Tyler Kirk and Sarah Spicer are working with the Wiles Soil Quality Lab at CMREC Beltsville to study how salicylic acid may help soybeans resist drought stress.
Using Brix and SPAD meters, they’re measuring sugar content, chlorophyll, nitrogen, and temperature to compare treated soybean plots with untreated controls. 🌿🔬
Research like this helps us better understand how crops respond to environmental stress and how we can support more resilient agricultural systems.

08/10/2026

Ever wondered why PFAS are called “forever chemicals”? 💧

These widely used chemicals can persist in the environment for a long time and have been found in products such as nonstick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, water-resistant clothing, cosmetics, and firefighting foam.

Because PFAS can move through water, soil, food systems, and ecosystems, researchers continue to study their environmental and human health impacts.

Swipe through to learn what PFAS are, where they’re found, how exposure can happen, and why this research matters. 🌱

08/03/2026

Meet Dr. David R. Tilley, Associate Professor in ENST, and an innovator at the intersection of ecology, engineering, and technology. 🌿🤖

His work combines nature, technology, and AI to create smarter, greener solutions for a more sustainable future. 🌍✨

07/29/2026

Meet Christopher Hernandez, a second-year ENST student at the University of Maryland conducting research in Dr. Lansing’s lab. 🔬

Christopher’s work explores the biochemical methane potential of dairy food waste and its potential as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion. He also helps operate a 40-liter fermenter, feeding it twice a week and analyzing pH, VFAs, and SCOD.

His research is helping advance sustainable solutions for converting food waste into renewable energy. 🌱⚗️

07/24/2026

🌊 Look who we ran into near National Harbor—ENST student Amy Lee!

This summer, Amy is volunteering with the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, helping collect water quality data to monitor and assess the health of the Potomac River.

The PRKN boat serves as a floating mobile laboratory, where samples collected across the watershed are processed and data is tracked to help identify potential sources of pollution. PRKN is also leading a pilot program focused on increasing freshwater mussel populations in the river—an important step toward supporting a healthier aquatic ecosystem.

Stay tuned during the coming academic year for more volunteer opportunities with the Potomac Riverkeeper Network!

📍 Potomac River
🔬 Water quality monitoring
🐚 Freshwater mussel restoration
💧 Hands-on environmental experience

Potomac Riverkeeper Network

07/21/2026

Plan ahead for future research and professional development opportunities 🌿✈️

The Dr. David F. Ludwig Memorial Student Travel Scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing ecology-related research.

The award provides up to $1,000 per student to help cover eligible research travel, conference registration or travel to present research, and professional development expenses.

Preference is given to students conducting or presenting ecology-related research. ENST students, especially those in the AENR concentration, may find this opportunity particularly relevant.

The deadline for the 2026 cycle has passed, but students are encouraged to save this opportunity and prepare for a future application cycle.

Learn more: aehsfoundation.org/drdavid

07/09/2026

Research goes beyond the lab! 🦟🌿

Morgan Hawkins, a first-year master’s student in Dr. Paul Leisnham’s lab, shares a glimpse into fieldwork focused on community ecology, EcoHealth, and mosquito research.

Today’s work included sampling and collecting Anopheles mosquitoes in real-life systems — an important part of understanding the connections between ecology, health, and the environment.