Students in the Environmental Studies Program have the opportunity to work with faculty on a variety of research projects. These research efforts are often incorporated into a professor's published work, or are part of a Brackenridge Research Scholarship. Some students choose to pursue a separate Bachelor of Philosophy degree through the University Honors College.
Working with Michael Rosenmeier, assistant professor, Department of Geology and Planetary Science
Marion Sikora's research has focused on Central Asian climate change and, more specifically, improved understanding of the environmental context in which the nomadic pastoral economies of Mongolia evolved. Marion participated in field research in Mongolia during the summers of 2004 and 2006 and completed field research in Kazakhstan and Greece in 2005.
Working with Michael Rosenmeier, assistant professor, Department of Geology and Planetary Science
Thomas Galligan is examining a collection of sediment cores from lakes in northern Kazakhstan. Thomas has also participated in a research project aimed at reconstructing the environmental history of northern Mongolia from lake sediment cores. He has also worked toward the integration of GPS and environmental data sets within geographic information systems.
Working with Rosemary Capo, associate professor, Department of Geology and Planetary Science, and Sandy Olsen of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Tonya Brubaker is using geochemical signatures to identify horse migration patterns and domestication in Kazakhstan. She is carrying out sequential leaching and ICP-AES analysis of soil and plant material from six sites, to be compared with signatures from modern and archeological horse teeth.
Working with Mark Collins, lecturer, Department of Geology and Planetary Science, and Peter Quinby, Director, Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology, Linesville, Pennsylvania
Using water and sediment measurements, historical documents, photographic evidence, and interviews, Sarah Presogna is investigating the natural history and expansion of the American lotus (N. lutea) in Pymatuning State Park reservoir, as well as state policy issues regarding the plant's management.
Environmental Studies and Political Science
Working with Mark Collins, Lecturer, Department of Geology and Planetary Science
Topic: "'The Donora Wife': The Dramatization of a Forgotten Environmental Tragedy"
Environmental Studies, Political Science, and Chinese
Working with Wen Fang Tang, Department of Political Science, School of Arts and Sciences
Topic: "Environmental NGOs in China: Laying the Foundations for Democratic Institutions"