North Omsted Student Gets $2,500 EPA Scholarship

From Ohio EPA: Ohio EPA is awarding $30,000 in scholarships to 12 environmental science and engineering students attending Ohio’s colleges and universities. Three of the students are from Northeast Ohio and will each receive $2,500 from Ohio EPA’s Environmental Education Fund.

“These scholarships will allow some very accomplished students to complete their degrees and join the ranks of scientists dedicated to understanding and enhancing the environment,” said Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler.

Scholarship winners from Northeast Ohio include:

• Kateline Peck, Austinburg Majoring in Biology and Environmental Science at Heidelberg University
• Victoria Roeder, North Olmsted Majoring in Zoology at The Ohio State University (OSU)
• Andrew Shea, MedinaMajoring in Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability (EEDS) and Philosophy at OSU

The remaining recipients of $2,500 scholarships are:

• Mitchell Dever, Ashland Majoring in Environmental Science and Biology at Ashland University
• Emily Smith, MansfieldMajoring in Environmental Biology at Mount Vernon Nazarene University
• Erin Graves, Bowling Green Majoring in Geology and Environmental Science at Miami University
• Tara Lay, Cincinnati Majoring in Environmental Studies at the University of Cincinnati
• Margaret Maloney, Dayton Majoring in Environmental Biology at the University of Dayton
• Rosa Tweed, West Milton Majoring in Biological Sciences at Wright State University
• Mathias Wagner, Cincinnati Majoring in Evolution and Ecology at OSU
• Chelsea Steffes, Moon Twp., PA Majoring in Environmental Science and Economics at Wittenberg University
• Levon Bajakian, Ringwood, NJ Majoring in Environmental Science at OSU

This year’s recipients have completed research or environmental work experience with projects focusing on:

• Testing lead levels in the soil of community gardens
• Storm water management plans for new campus buildings
• Zooplankton diversity in storm water retention ponds
• Impact of invasive plants on salamander populations in headwater streams
• Coastal communities’ resilience to natural hazards
• Designing a sling for injured birds at wildlife rehabilitation facilities
• Cleanup and restoration of property damage from fire, mold, and sewage
• overflows
• Surveys of consumer behavioral response to recycling incentives
• Coral adaptation to elevations in temperature and pH

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on aquatic organisms Since 2000, $817,450 has been awarded to 332 students at 46 Ohio colleges and universities. Funding comes from civil penalties collected by Ohio EPA for violations of air and water pollution control laws. The scholarship program is administered by the Ohio Academy of Science.

The next application deadline for scholarships is April 15, 2018. Additional information is available by calling Ohio EPA’s Office of Environmental Education at (614) 644-2873 or visiting www.epa.ohio.gov/oee. To learn more about the Ohio Academy of Science, call (614) 488-2228 or visit www.OHIOSCI.org.

Image Via Shuttershock