Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
![Tabitha Ludwiczak, who worked extensively on the project, graduated with a BS in Zoology in Spring 2022 Tabitha Ludwiczak, who worked extensively on the project, graduated with a BS in Zoology in Spring 2022](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/1500wide_0.jpg?VersionId=27OwZp2BjApm1YhP_MIjP474ZqDNcC.C&h=e6f36a9c&itok=oJc8Mj30)
When driving in the rain, it is unlikely that you have thought much about how the environment is affected, let alone how nearby aquatic sources are impacted.
![A close-up shot of a bee on a flower in the Beyer-Murin Gardens on the Kent Campus. Photo by Robert Christy A close-up shot of a bee on a flower in the Beyer-Murin Gardens on the Kent Campus. Photo by Robert Christy](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/20220920_BC_Bee_1500x600_0.jpg?VersionId=WWjKH_Uv2WOkb2L093cTiCdTcbtwSEHp&h=e6f36a9c&itok=etjCGOu7)
Over half of the described species in the world are insects. Although many people think of insects as pests, they play vital roles and have a big impact on our invaluable ecosystems, as pollinators, helping break down wastes, and as an essential food source for many other organisms.
![Melissa Davis leads a group of students through the Herrick Conservatory](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/220916-Greenhouse-Tour_RD-00044_0.jpg?VersionId=2NJzBTdnPiFLJWAmEgajip.OJvaAE7_K&h=787e6ba8&itok=psjzwI3n)
Last Friday, students got a guided tour of the Herrick Conservatory, home to diverse and exotic greenery on the Kent Campus.
![Wharton State Forest coastline](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/2_6.jpg?VersionId=lY2Tn.u00pls9lP0taDnVttY6jz0.ar3&h=0544a951&itok=Iw1RNtwn)
Saying "yes" to everything landed Kathryn Burns in the middle of New Jersey's coastal wetlands
![Kent State Uses Geospatial Technology to Map Violence Kent State Uses Geospatial Technology to Map Violence](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Earth-ka.jpg?VersionId=I729PaVYkVbTjhc3QvniTXdVTV9XvzRL&h=bde28bee&itok=vQ6QqoSy)
Principal Investigator Cameron C. Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Geography (within the College of Arts and Sciences) at Kent State University, was recently awarded a three-year, $387,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Program Office and its Modeling, Analysis, Predictions and Projections Program (MAPP). The project is titled “Excess Heat and Excess Cold Factors: Establishing a unified duration-intensity metric for monitoring hazardous temperature conditions in North America”.
![Metin Eren from Kent State University's Department of Anthropology](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Metin%20Eren_0.jpg?VersionId=TxygtCsowBaWmxb8qFlj6y.lAn_zv1sf&h=f5395998&itok=p49ymAfh)
They have gone above and beyond to keep Kent State University moving forward during the pandemic, and now they are being honored for their dedication and hard work. Kent State President Todd Diacon recently notified nine faculty members and 14 staff members that they have received special awards for their work and service.
![Global Change main image](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Global_Challenge_main_revised_web.jpg?VersionId=fJJ8lHbMMwYUBnZrF2xUZJetoByczp7K&itok=iXbiJG6-)
Climate change is a complex problem with no easy answers—and everything at stake.
![Kent State Expands Solar Installations](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Kent_State_Expands_Solar_Installations.jpg?VersionId=uhN73J1EcjDj5.KTZQBze1wYU3exe7hs&h=1fd4bea1&itok=PnZISLfy)
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![Justin Thompson](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Justin_Thompson_Taking_Action.jpg?VersionId=H0zBpBUo4pvqjlDL0DT2rX3Y90vWrMdu&h=12d66d66&itok=5wJcTUEp)
Environmental student activist Justin Thompson is working to make the world a better place for future generations.
![2022 Biodesign Challenge Group Members](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Biodesign%20Banner_0.jpg?VersionId=.r18SBdu.K.C.4f14pe_VJwibqB6nQTE&h=4a7d1ed4&itok=cV4vAYYJ)
Two significant environmental issues our nation faces today include invasive plant species and a lack of sustainable materials. Invasive plant species are detrimental to host environments for multiple reasons. Kent State students are working to turn invasive plant species into a sustainable material that can help protect the environment through the 2022 Biodesign Challenge, a course and national competition to create sustainable solutions to real world problems.