The Gund Institute for Environment at UVM today announced 14 new community members, including six PhD students, five postdoctoral researchers, a new leadership team staff member, and two undergraduate research awardees.

The 11 incoming PhD students and postdoctoral researchers—all Gund fellowship recipients—come from 5 countries: India, Nepal, Nigeria, the UK, and the U.S., including Puerto Rico. They will pursue transdisciplinary research with Gund Fellows across UVM, targeting urgent environmental issues within five themes: climate solutions, sustainable agriculture, health and wellbeing, equity and justice, and resilient communities.

Also joining the Institute is new Program Manager Aimee Germain, who recently held a similar role at Syracuse University’s Humanities Center, managing the Central New York Humanities Corridor. Aimee holds a Masters in NGO Management and has experience leading diversity and inclusion efforts and coordinating graduate programs. She will provide overall leadership to the Institute, oversee finances and research funding, and engage closely with Gund scholars.

“Research should inspire action—and that’s why I am so excited to welcome this outstanding group to our global research community,” says Gund Institute Director Taylor Ricketts. “They will join a vibrant community that is mobilizing scholars and decision makers to understand and tackle the world’s most critical environmental issues.”

Gund PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships are made possible by support from the Gund Family, the Patrick and Marcelle Leahy Scholars Initiative, the Roger and Victoria Sant Trust, the Medina Fund, the Barrett Family, and research partnerships with Ben & Jerry’s, Johnson & Johnson, Philo Ridge Farm, and USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Gund Postdoctoral Fellowships

Laura Bloomfield (CEMS) will investigate the relationship between people and nature, with a focus on mental and physical health, socio-economic disparities, and how livelihood behaviors interact with natural landscapes. By evaluating how humans respond to varying environmental situations and shocks, Bloomfield’s research will help to guide future environmental and public health policies. Bloomfield will collaborate primarily with Chris Danforth and Taylor Ricketts.

Harold Eyster (CALS) will study the relationship between urban biodiversity—specifically birds and nature—and outdoor recreation and diversity. This research will help cities to better support bird biodiversity, healthy lifestyles and human well-being, as well as improving the understanding of effective conservation in a modern world. Eyster will collaborate with Brian Beckage and Rachelle Gould.

Through a survey of 9 U.S. cities, Mayra Rodríguez González (RSENR) will study tree canopy cover in relation to historical land ownership and socio-economics. Rodríguez González hopes to further our understanding of how urban contexts and forest management strategies affect equity and urban socio-economic resilience. Rodríguez González will work with Jarlath O'Neil-Dunne.

In collaboration with UVM Extension, Bryony Sands (CALS) will study the effects of regenerative agriculture on beneficial insect biodiversity, soil health, and pest and parasite regulation. Sands’ work will help further understanding of the social, environmental, and economic outcomes of regenerative agriculture and promote collaboration across disciplines to work towards large-scale transformation of food systems. Sands will collaborate with Heather Darby, Taylor Ricketts, and Eric Bishop von Wettberg.  

Edward Marques (CALS) will study the effects of a novel soil management system on 16 farms across Vermont, working to evaluate changes in carbon and productivity. He will also develop a model for sequestering carbon from pastures in an effort to advance sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices across the state. Marques will collaborate with Travis Reynolds and Eric Roy.

Gund PhD Fellowships

Previously an environmental consultant for the World Bank, Rubaina Anjum (CALS) will now investigate the relationships between climate change, development, and inequality by applying ecological economics and decolonial approaches. In her research, Rubaina will assess the ways in which climate change impacts populations differently and how environmentally just policies can support vulnerable communities. Rubaina will be mentored by Asim Zia. 

Uyoyoghene Onothoja (RSENR) will examine the environmental impacts of irrigation agriculture on food production in Sub-Saharan Africa. As growing populations and erratic weather increase local interest in irrigation, Onothoja’s research will help improve the efficiency and productivity of irrigated agriculture while reducing its impact on the environment. Onothoja, who is set to arrive in January, will be mentored by Gillian Galford.

Kate Porterfield (Barrett Scholar, CEMS) will work with an interdisciplinary team of stakeholders, farmers, and researchers to investigate how analytical tools can inform policy initiatives surrounding the global challenge of waste and nutrient management. Resting at the intersection of energy, food, and human health, Porterfield’s research seeks to identify strategies to recover and reuse nutrients from waste streams with an emphasis on community and stakeholder involvement. Porterfield will be mentored by Eric Roy.

Shashank Poudel (CALS) will research ecological economics’ potential to shape policy in South Asia. Considering the disproportionate effect that climate change has on rural and marginalized communities, Poudel’s research seeks to involve local communities in critical discussions surrounding the environment and policy. Poudel will be mentored by Joshua Farley.

Drawing on her experiences growing up in rural Puerto Rico, Krizzia Soto-Villanueva (CALS/Institute for Social Justice) will study food sovereignty and agroecology on the island. Her research will focus on the reappropriation of the jíbaro (rural) identity and reclamation of ancestral Puerto Rican agricultural practices as evidence of the global need for equitable, community-based food systems. Soto-Villanueva will be mentored by Teresa Mares and Pablo Bose.  

Shaurya Swami (Barrett Scholar, CEMS) will work alongside UVM scholars studying Earth's critical zone. He will explore how big data approaches can solve environmental challenges, drawing upon his experience in computer science and chemistry. Swami will be mentored by Donna Rizzo and Gund Affiliate Kristen Underwood.

Gund Undergraduate Research Awards

Bryce Carleton (RSENR) will study bioretention systems, a form of green stormwater infrastructure, to learn how soil composition influences nutrient removal from stormwater runoff and supports vegetation health. This hands-on research includes project construction, and the development of monitoring methods for 12 ecosystems. The study will inform the design of future bioretention systems, targeting clean water in downstream ecosystems. Carleton will be mentored by Stephanie Hurley.

Isabella Wolfsdorf (CAS) will study urban tree canopy cover, how these canopies interact with surrounding areas, and the negative effects of decreased canopy cover. Focusing on Louisville, Kentucky, Wolfsdorf’s research will investigate how tree canopy cover is linked to equity and climate change to help guide future projects and research. Wolfsdorf will be mentored by Jarlath O'Neil-Dunne.

Since launching four years ago, the Gund Institute for Environment has awarded 32 PhD and postdoctoral fellowships, and 10 undergraduate research awards. Recipients are mentored by Gund Fellows from across UVM in a range of disciplines.

With over 230 scholars and leaders, the Gund community has tripled in size in three years. The Institute’s global network of researchers and partners hail from 7 UVM colleges and schools, 28 departments, and 50 external organizations in 10 countries, including Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, and World Wildlife Fund.

More news

The Institute seeks proposals for the next round of Gund Catalyst Awards, interdisciplinary research grants valued from $10,000 to $200,000, by October 13, 2021. Applicants can request funding for a postdoctoral researcher.

The Institute is launching a fifth research theme this Fall—Equity and Justice—with multiple events and funding opportunities to bolster research and collaboration, including Gund Catalyst Awards (proposals due Oct. 13), a research symposium, and additional seed grants.

About the Gund Institute at UVM

The Gund Institute for Environment at the University of Vermont is a research center dedicated to understanding and tackling the world’s most critical environmental challenges. Driven by the belief that research should inspire action, the Institute takes a cross-sector approach to solving environmental issues with stakeholders from government, business, and broader society. The Institute focuses on five interconnected research themes: climate solutions, sustainable agriculture, health and well-being, equity and justice, and resilient communities. With over 230 scholars in Vermont and across the world, the Institute brings together a network of internationally recognized researchers from diverse disciplines, including the natural and social sciences, business, health, technology, engineering, and the humanities. 

Learn more at uvm.edu/gund or follow the Gund Institute on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.