Hello students, faculty, and friends of the Environmental Sciences Program!
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Happy Monday! Take this last full week of classes to rejoice in the knowledge this quarter has brought you and feel powerful for overcoming the challenges it has presented. Spring is almost here!
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Our growing list of USEFUL ENVR SCI links!
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This Week's Email
On-Campus
- Kate Marvel's Talk "Understanding Climate Change Past, Present, and Future: New Methods for Signal Detection and Attribution"
- Northwestern Sustainability Lecture Series
- One Earth Film Festival Screenings at Northwestern
Beyond College
- Job-searching Professional ENVR SCI group for those entering the workforce
- Grad School Application for Underrepresented Geoscience Students
- NCEAS and the Arctic Data Center Fellowship
Previously Announced and Still Relevant
- Field Museum Women in Science Internship
- Director of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike at Loyola's 2020 Climate Change Conference
- New Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES)
- Getting Involved Around Evanston
- NSF REU Opportunities
- Apply for SIGP!
- Fulbright Information Sessions
- NU Splash
- Evanston Environmental Association's Wild & Scenic Film Festival
- One Earth Film Festival
- Workshop to improve diversity in Climate and Space Sciences
- Loyola's Job Searching Site
Seminars
- Wil Burns: "Scrubbing the Skies? An Overview of the Promise and Perils of Carbon Dioxide Removal/Negative Emissions Technologies To Combat Climate Change"
- Weekly and Regular Seminars
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Kate Marvel - "Understanding Climate Change
Past, Present, and Future: New Methods for Signal Detection and Attribution"
Join the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences on Friday, March 6th at 10am in Seabury Hall, TGS Commons for a talk given by Dr. Kate Marvel, one of the world’s pre-eminent climate communicators and an Associate Research Scientist at NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Columbia University where she studies Earth’s climate system, forcings, and feedbacks
Here is more about the talk:
"How is climate change affecting aspects of the Earth system beyond global average temperature? And what can we expect in the future? Currently, the detection of a human fingerprint on many variables is complicated by several factors: methodological uncertainties, large internal variability, errors in the computer models used to estimate natural climate variability and future climate trajectories, and fundamentally unresolved science questions. In this talk, I’ll explain how new methods can help to identify clear signals amidst the noise. I’ll begin in the past, using tree-ring reconstructions of last-millennium hydroclimate to show that humans were very likely influencing global drought risk as early as the first half of the twentieth century. Moving to the present, I’ll show how improved fingerprinting techniques reveal a detectable human influence on global and regional precipitation patterns. I’ll end with a cautionary tale for the future, showing that estimates of future warming or “equilibrium climate sensitivity” inferred from recent observations are likely biased low, because the cloud changes we've experienced are not necessarily predictive or reflective of the cloud changes expected in the future. This means that conclusions inferred from past and present data cannot be simply extended to the future, but this improved understanding can help to narrow uncertainties in future climate projections."
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Northwestern Sustainability Lecture Series
The Northwestern Sustainability Lecture Series is a 1-day summit here at NU wherein world-renowned experts will discuss “Earth-Human Interactions: Sustainability and Development.” In this annual event, six Northwestern Sustainability Lecturers will be selected to talk about critical challenges and advances related to energy, climate and the environment, and urban transformations, as well as to be recognized for their prominent contributions in these fields. The following experts will contribute to the first edition of this event, which will take place on April 8th, 2020 at the Norris University Center:
Energy
- Lynn Loo, Ph.D. - Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University
- Lyesse Laloui, Ph.D. - Professor of Geo-Energy and Geo-Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, EPFL
Climate and the Environment
- Ruth S. DeFries, Ph.D., N.A.S. - Professor of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University
- Mary K. Firestone, Ph.D., N.A.S. - Professor of Soil Microbiology, University of California Berkeley
Urban transformations
- Carlo Ratti, Ph.D. - Professor of Urban Technologies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT
- Jan Carmeliet, Ph.D. - Professor of Building Physics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, ETHZ
The aim of this event is to expand the educational and cultural experience of a large audience: from the undergraduate and graduate students of Northwestern to its faculty members, to industry and other stakeholders. Conceived within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University, this event is sponsored by The Alumnae of Northwestern University, the Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience, and the Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern. Its ultimate goal is to inform and inspire present and future leaders, while recognizing excellence across the fields of applied sciences and engineering, physical sciences, social sciences and architecture. More information about the event can be found and will be updated at this link.
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One Earth Film Festival screenings at Northwestern
Hosted by sustainNU, the One Earth Film Festival will have two screenings of a film on Northwestern campuses!
On the Chicago campus: Right to Harm will be played on March 9, 6:30 p.m. at the Simpson Querrey Auditorium 1-230, 303 E Superior St.
Here's more about the film:
Through the riveting stories of five rural communities, Right to Harm exposes the devastating public health impact factory farming has on many disadvantaged citizens throughout the United States. Filmed across the country, the documentary chronicles the failures of state agencies to regulate industrial animal agriculture. Known formally as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations – or CAFOs – these facilities produce millions of gallons of untreated waste that destroys the quality of life for nearby neighbors. Fed up with the lack of regulation, these disenfranchised citizens band together to demand justice from their legislators.
On the Evanston campus: Thirst for Power will be played on March 10, 6:30 p.m. at the McCormick Foundation Center Forum, 1870 Campus Drive
Here's more about that film:
Water and energy are the two fundamental components of a society, and they are interconnected. Thirst for Power, shot on location across France, California, and Texas, explores the history of civilization’s quest to procure abundant water and energy — from ancient Roman aqueducts in Europe to modern America’s vast hydroelectric infrastructure. The film explores our dependence on water for energy as well as vulnerabilities in our current systems. Changing the way we think about water and energy can secure the long-term sustainability of both precious resources.
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Job-searching Professional ENVR SCI group for those entering the workforce
Are you graduating this year? Looking for a job or internship related to environmental science? You aren’t alone! It can be difficult to find a first position after your undergraduate years, so let’s come together and explore some opportunities. We are looking to form a job-searching group that meets occasionally to have discussions with alumni, venture into the city to visit employers, workshop resumes, and pool job hunting information. If you are interested in finding a job together, or have other ideas for our environmental job hunt group, please feel free to reach out to Professor Beddows (p-beddows@northwestern.edu) or Casey Beidelman (caseybeidelman2020@u.northwestern.edu).
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Grad School Application for Underrepresented Geoscience Students
The AGU Bridge Program, part of the Inclusive Graduate Education Network, is an effort to increase the number of underrepresented students in geoscience graduate programs. The AGU Bridge program provides students, who have not previously applied or have applied but were unsuccessful, an alternative pathway to graduate school admission by giving them access to a common application system. They hope to increase diversity and support inclusive practices through this program.
The student application can be accessed by visiting the AGU Bridge Program website. Students are encouraged to complete their application by April 1, 2020, to allow recommenders time to submit their letters of support before the application closes on April 15, 2020.
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NCEAS and the Arctic Data Center
Do you have a passion for open science? Interested in Arctic research? Excited to engage with the broader research community? Consider joining NCEAS and the Arctic Data Center.
The National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis invites applications for a pool of qualified temporary Data Fellows (Junior Specialist positions) to engage in data science projects relating to environmental science. These projects will be based in Santa Barbara, CA, and may include organization and analysis of data sets, developing software and libraries in support of ecological synthesis and data science projects, and/or creating learning curricula for enhance data literacy across the community. The Fellows will work closely with Project Data Coordinators, Scientific Programmers and/or Community Outreach leads to identify and scope project activities; will work with other members of the data support team members, with scientists from targeted projects, and working groups conducting research in support of project goals; and will gather and analyze data and document processes and results.
For a list of example activities demonstrating the breadth and scope of work undertaken by Data Fellows please visit this page!
Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) in ecology, environmental science, computer science, or a related field is required at the time of application, and stronger applicants will demonstrate a familiarity with ecological or environmental science research, experience in data management and/or analysis, experience building structured metadata Proficiency in a scientific computing language (R, MATLAB, Python), and experience or comfort with training others.
The department is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching and service.
Apply by March 31, 2020 through this link for primary consideration; however, applications will be kept active for consideration within the department through October 31, 2020. Screening of applicants is ongoing and will continue as needed. Applications should include a CV, a Cover Letter (including a description of your experience in data management and analysis, and a statement indicating which example research activity aligns most closely with your interests and expertise), and Names of 3 References (contact information only).
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Previously Announced and Still Relevant
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1. Field Museum Women in Science Internship
Field Museum Women in Science (FMWIS) and the Women's Board are proud to offer the Women in Science Internships. This program aims to build a foundation and set the standard for diversity across the museum and within the sciences through student internships.
Interns work in departments throughout the museum. They gain knowledge and experience in the sciences by engaging in collections-based research and communicating science to a broader community. The program hosts five high school and five undergraduate paid interns for six weeks in the summer each year.
All interns work full-time, five days per week, 8:30am to 4:30pm (unless otherwise arranged with the supervisor). Applicants must be a Chicagoland or Northwest Indiana resident.
The program runs from Monday, June 22, 2020 through Monday, August 3, 2020.
Applications are due Monday, March 2, 2020. All applicants chosen to be a 2020 Women in Science intern will be notified the week of March 30, 2020.
For more information on the projects available and access to the application, visit this website!
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2. Executive Director of the U.S. Youth Climate Strike, Felíquan Charlemagne to speak at Loyola's 2020 Climate Change Conference
Be inspired by youth activists Felíquan Charlemagne, Tokata Iron Eyes, and Kelsey Juliana during our Keynote Conversation at Loyal's 2020 Climate Change Conference on Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m, with the conference lasting from March 12-13.
For more information about the conference, reference this website!
Registration is Now Open!
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3. Consider the new Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES)
Northwestern Engineering and ISEN recently launched a Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES) degree program. They are currently recruiting students and are hosting one more info session online. The final application deadline is April 15, though it is encouraged that students to apply earlier for financial aid consideration.
UPCOMING MSES INFO SESSION
Online Webinar
- Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2020; 12:00 - 1:00 pm (CST) — REGISTER
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4. Getting Involved Around Evanston
Did you know there's an indoors farmers market every Saturday? Check it out at the Evanston Ecology Center, 8am-12pm!
Additionally, the City's Affordable Housing Plan Steering Committee wants to know your thoughts on local housing needs and ideas on how to address them. Whether you're a renter, a homeowner, a longtime resident, or a recent transplant, they want to hear from you!
Affordable Housing Community Workshop: Share your feedback about housing affordability solutions in Evanston and exchange ideas with other community members on Thurs., March 5, 7 p.m.
Check the City of Evanston website to stay up to date on the local happenings!
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5. NSF REU Opportunities
Check out the National Science Foundation – Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) – The NSF supports 100’s of paid summer research focused opportunities on a HUGE range of topics.
They are typically 10 weeks long and provide some form of travel/accommodation/food support and then ALSO $4000-$6000 OF STIPEND in addition.
Yes these are competitive – but often the competition is based on how to make aspiring students grow more. GPA is often NOT the selection criteria. Of course only some of them fit with our NU quarter calendar, which cuts many of them out, but still leaving a great number accessible to you!
This year we have launched a national effort to create a directory of the key details of all the NSF REU’s by polling the program directors. They have richly responded and we now have 172 listed. Of these, 82 may be fully or perhaps accessible depending on your spring quarter exam schedule. This tabulation does not include the cash stipend since that should not be your primary selection criteria, but almost all of them have rewarding stipends.
Webpage link - https://www.envsci.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/nsf-reu.html
*** You will find the "Download the Directory" link, that may be best for your working and editing the list to your interests
*** we are updating this regularly as new entries arrive!
With nearly 200 entries, that still leaves 400 additional NSF REU sites. You can search by topic area in the NSF directory (https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp). If you have some keywords though, that may be a good option for you, even if slow and tedious. Search *broadly* - you will find some very relevant opportunities even under the DOD listing, or under physics and math, etc.
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6. Apply for the Summer Internship Grant Program
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7. Fulbright Information Sessions
There are amazing opportunities with Fulbright for students invested in environmental knowledge and concerns - and our future on this planet!
Come to an information session to learn more about the application process, deadlines, campus resources, and how you can be involved in this amazing opportunity. Fulbright funds students in many different areas, including science and math, humanities, fine arts, journalism, and the social sciences.
Contact Stephen Hill @ s-hill@northwestern.edu for more information about Study/Research awards
All meetings will take place in the conference room at the Office of Fellowships, 1940 Sheridan Rd. No RSVP required
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8. NU Splash - Teaching Opportunity
If you could talk for an hour about anything, what would it be? Splash at Northwestern is a one day event where you get to teach local high school students anything you want, right on Northwestern’s campus!
Recruitment for teachers for the 2020 event has begun! A wide variety of classes will be offered on academic and non-academic subjects, ranging from the physics of black holes to salsa dancing. Undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff can all participate! There is a stipend allocated for class supplies, so designing an engaging course that reflects your passions is encouraged!
The deadline for registering as a teacher is April 3rd and the event is held on May 23rd in Tech. You are welcome to attend one of the info sessions (with free food!) to learn more about Splash:
- Info Session: Tues, Feb 25th at 5:00PM in Tech LR5
For more information refer to this flyer. Please fill out this form if you are planning on attending: http://bit.ly/nusplash2020. Additional information about Splash can also be found on their website. If you have any questions please reach out to splash@u.northwestern.edu!
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9. Evanston Environmental Association's Wild & Scenic Film Festival
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is a two-day event presented annually by the Evanston Environmental Association (EEA) and the city of Evanston. Different movies are shown on the two different Fridays of the festival. This is the festival's ninth year. It was initially held at the Evanston Ecology Center, but in more recent years has been presented at One Rotary Center to take advantage of the larger capacity of that building's theater.
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is organized and produced by SYRCL (the South Yuba River Citizens League), and was started in part to help environmental organizations like the EEA grow their membership.
The festival offers a line-up of the best in environmental and adventure short films covering a variety of topics relevant to those concerned about the future of our planet. Check out this link for this year's films!
The festival takes place in the 3rd floor theater of the One Rotary Center building; 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201.The event on March 13 still has tickets available!!
Here is a link with more information and how to buy tickets!
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10. One Earth Film Festival
One Earth Film Festival is a Chicago area film festival that creates opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of human involvement through sustainability-themed films and facilitated discussion. With a mission statement of "Through sustainability-themed films and facilitated discussion — educate, raise awareness, and inspire the adoption of solution-oriented sustainable actions," this festival is an awesome chance for people to see some world changing films.
This year, with over 30 screenings, films will begin being shown February 18th, but the majority of films will be shown March 6-12!
Check out their website for a specific schedule of the films, when they will be, and where they will be screened!
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11. Workshop to improve diversity in Climate and Space Sciences
Attend this one-day workshop offered by the Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering Department of UMich, and learn about grad school application processes, typical grad school experiences, and how to get the most out of post-grad opportunities! The workshop will be held on April 17th, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
For more information, visit their website, check out the flyer below, and reach out to jbassis@umich.edu with any questions.
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12. Loyola's Job Searching Site
Loyola's Institute of Environmental Sustainability has a very useful and expansive job searching page, which can be found here! On their site, they have listings for internships and jobs in a whole array of environmental fields including academic, environmental consulting, climate and energy, conservation, governmental, and more!
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Seminar with Wil Burns: "Scrubbing the Skies? An Overview of the Promise and Perils of Carbon Dioxide Removal/Negative Emissions Technologies To Combat Climate Change"
Wil Burns holds a PhD in international law from the University of Wales-Cardiff School of Law. He is a Professor of Research and Co- Director of the Institute for Carbon Removal Law & Policy at American University. He is currently teaching at Northwestern University. He has published over 80 articles in law, science, and policy journals and has co-edited four books. His current areas of research focus are climate geoengineering and the role of loss and damage in international climate regimes.
He will be giving a talk on March 3rd, 4-5pm in Tech LR4 on the future of technologies and ideas aimed at removing CO2 to combat climate change
Click here to register!
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Weekly and Regular Seminars
Colloquia with Institute for Policy Research
- Check website for location and times
Earth and Planetary Sciences Seminar Series
- Check website for location and times
Civil and Environmental Engineering Seminars
- Environmental Engineering & Sciences Seminar Series: Fridays at 2pm in Tech A230
- Coming Up: Mar 13th, Linking Dissolved Organic Matter Composition with Photoreactivity Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
- Science for Protection of Engineered Environments Seminar Series: 11am in Tech A230
- This week: Mar 4th, When Topology Met Phononics: Wave Manipulation on Edges and Interfaces
Plant Biology and Conservation Seminars
- Usually held weekly, Friday mornings at 10am, at the Plant Conservation Science Center within the Chicago Botanic Gardens - 1000 Lake Cook RD, Glencoe, IL 60022
- Coming Up: March 6th, PhD Student Speakers Seminar: Lea Richardson and Justin Bain
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