John Lawrence, Outstanding EnvS Faculty 2011-2012

John Lawrence has been at the University of Idaho since 1993, and has been working with the Environmental Science Program since 2004. He came to us because, in the true spirit of interdisciplinarity, he wanted to make sure that Business students graduated with at least one class addressing environmental and sustainability issues. He has been an active member of our faculty ever since, not only mentoring and supporting students but also serving on the core faculty and curriculum committees where he can always be counted on to provide thoughtful and creative insights. In addition, he was integral to the creation of the Sustainable Idaho Initiative in 2006 and the Professional Science Masters Program in 2010. He is core faculty for the PSM. It is our pleasure to present John with the 2011-2012 Outstanding Faculty Award.

Arjan Meddens, Outstanding Ph.D. Student 2011-2012

Arjan’s Ph.D. research explored the advantages and disadvantages of multiple types of satellite remote sensing in detecting and mapping bark beetle tree mortality in the western United States. Arjan has published papers in several leading journals of his field, including Ecological Applications, Remote Sensing of Environment and Global Change Biology. His products are being used by several other scientists in the USFS, NASA and DOE Los Alamos National Laboratory. As his major professor Jeff Hicke explains, “His skills are so good that he is an important resource to my laboratory. All of my other graduate students have learned various techniques from him. He is the most senior lab member, and other students look to him for help in solving problems or learning methods. He has even assisted my postdoctoral scientist in his research. I value and appreciate his leadership in assisting other students.”

Cindy Adams, Outstanding M.S. Student 2011-2012

Cindy exemplified interdisciplinary research with her M.S. thesis, "Phosphorus, Daphnia, and the recreating public: A multi-discipline study of Willow Creek Reservoir, Heppner, Oregon" (Frank Wilhelm, major professor). She tackled the complex topic of lake management, including aspects of animal ecology, catchment hydrology and nutrient budgets, and social science. This research will be useful for the US Army Corps of Engineers in the development of management strategies for reservoirs in the PNW. In addition, Cindy wrote two grants in support of her research, mentored students through teaching assistantships, and was an active participant in the American Fisheries Society and Soil Stewards clubs.

Danie Merriman, Outstanding Undergraduate Student 2011-2012

In May, Danie completed three courses of study – B.A. degrees in International Studies and Spanish, and a B.S. in Environmental Science – with a GPA approaching 3.5. She worked as a research assistant on a geomorphology project on the Salmon River in central Idaho, and was so successful that the research lead, Dr. Elowyn Yager, took her to Switzerland to do similar research for several months in the Swiss backcountry. She followed this up with a third research internship through the National Science Foundation, this time in rural Ecuador in 2011. Her leadership activities have included the directorship of ASUI Sustainability efforts, the co-chairmanship of UNITY and the International Student Council, and the presidency of the International Affairs Club. Her commitment to service is evidenced by her work with the University Judicial Council, in her collaboration with the national Energy Action Coalition, in her organizing role in the International Affairs Club Hunger Banquet, in her commitment to the Environmental Science Club and the Stateline Wetland Revitalization Project, and in her participation – twice – in Sustainability Center discussion panels. Add to this service on the President’s Diversity Council, work as a Peer Mentor, contributions to living groups, and regular participation in various days of service in Moscow, and you begin to get a picture of her efforts.

Grace Gardner, 1st Place in EnvS Poster Competition

Grace worked with Dan Strawn to complete a study entitled "Reduction of Pb Availability in Trap Range Soils with Phosphate Amendment." Her research explored the processes by which lead availability in shooting range soils around Craigmont, Idaho could be reduced using phosphorous amendments to decrease solubility, thereby preventing contamination of soils and groundwater.

Tessa Scott, 2nd Place in EnvS 497 Poster Competition

Tessa submitted a poster entitled “Interactive effects of Mecinus janthiniformis herbivory and varying soil resource conditions on the performance of Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria dalmatica”. She worked with Mark Schwarzlaender and a team of students to develop a presentation for the 96th Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting, March 25-28, 2012 in Portland, Oregon, where she took 2nd place in the undergraduate student poster competition.

Jess Inskeep, 3rd Place in EnvS 497 Poster Competition

Jess' senior thesis research is entitled "Influence of varying soil nutrient conditions on the population dynamics of Mecinus janthiniformis, a stem-mining weevil of Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica).” Jess worked with Mark Schwarzlaender and a team of students to develop a presentation for the 96th Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting, March 25-28, 2012 in Portland, Oregon, where he won the undergraduate student poster competition.