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2025 Graduate Student Research Award Recipients

Graney-Zhu Ecosystem Science Graduate Research Award

Gretl King, PhD Student, Department of Earth Sciences

 

“Tracking the Environmental Signatures of Marine Plankton Macroevolution”

Gretl’s project uses 15-million-year-old microscopic fossils, recovered from the ocean floor, to try to understand how large-scale climate change drives the evolution of marine plankton. Looking at an area off the coast of New Zealand, subjected to frequently changing winds and ocean currents, the goal is to track the size and geochemical makeup of thousands of these microfossils across more than 500 intervals of time to better quantify how life evolves and adapts to changing climates.

Tasneem Tawalbeh, PhD Candidate,
School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering

“Toxic Bubbles: A Spatial Study of PFAS-Contaminated Foam in the Finger Lakes”

Tasneem’s project examines foam formation on the surface of New York’s Finger Lakes, which may contain harmful “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS. These chemicals can accumulate in the foam, posing risks to people and wildlife along the lake shores. Tasneem’s research will examine foam, surface water, and the uppermost layer of the lake to better understand where PFAS accumulates and the extent of the problem. The results will help local communities and environmental agencies protect drinking water and public health while offering new insights into the impact of pollution on lake ecosystems.

NATCHANGE Graduate Research Award

Chris DeAngelis, PhD Student, Department of Biological Sciences

“Variation in cuticular hydrocarbons in a keystone seed-dispersing ant complex – a trait linking climate adaptation to behavior that impacts ecological communities”

Chris’s research investigates how variation in cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) – the waxy chemicals on insect exoskeletons – links climate adaptation to behavior in a keystone seed-dispersing ant in eastern deciduous forests. CHCs serve dual functions, providing desiccation resistance and mediating social behaviors. Chris will measure CHC variation across a latitudinal gradient and test how profiles relate to desiccation and behavior. By linking climate adaptation to ecological function, this study provides insight into how climate-driven trait shifts could alter forest plant communities. This project is a collaborative effort among three NATCHANGE lab groups with expertise in Chemical Ecology, Community Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology.

The 2025 EcoBlitz,  sponsored by Binghamton's NATCHANGE Center, will be taking place from Saturday April 26th until May 11th. The biodiversity festival will begin on Saturday April 26th with a Kickoff Event from 10 AM to 3 PM, where students, classes. researchers, and local conservation organizations will be coming together to collect data and raise awareness of local biodiversity and environmental systems. 
At the event there will be a variety of nature themed activities including: Tours led by students and faculty, activity and informational tables from local organizaitons, labs, and clubs, as well as opportunities to log data collected with the INaturalist app.

For more information on the event and the scientific significance of events such as Binghamton's EcoBlitz:
Visit the

Sign up for the

Or email questions to - binghamtonecoblitz@gmail.com

���ϲ����� Ecoblitz Three Kickoff Event Informational Flier:

"Ecoblitz three kickoff: Saturday April 26th open to all. ���ϲ����� Nature Preserve Lot M from 10 AM to 3 PM. A Biodiversity festival with nature tours and prizes. "

Graduate Research Grants 

Graney-Zhu Ecosystem Science Graduate Research Award

This award acknowledges the contributions of previous directors of the CIWS (Center for Integrated Watershed Studies), which was a precursor to NATCHANGE. The award will be given to students engaging in research related to ecosystem science, including but not limited to biogeochemistry, related to environmental change impacts and solutions. Students performing research highlighting collaborations between biological, earth, and environmental sciences that Joe Graney and Weixing Zhu exemplified will be prioritized. Funds come from NATCHANGE and the Earth Sciences and Biological Sciences Departments. The award is for up to $6000 and is biennial, and funds can be spent over two years. The full amount will be awarded to one student, or the amount will be split between two students.

NATCHANGE Graduate Research Award

This award will support one graduate student and will be given to students engaging in research on collaborative environmental change impacts on natural or coupled human-natural systems. Priority will be given to students working on collaborative projects between two or more affiliated mentors who are NATCHANGE members. This annual award ($3000) will support one graduate student. More information on how to apply can be found in this document.