The GCC WEEKLY | March 26, 2024 | |
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Free Film Screening at the Lyric
Together with the Town of Blacksburg, the Global Change Center's Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC) is hosting a film screening of “Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species” on Saturday, April 20th from 2-4 PM. Uninvited introduces the concept of invasive species and explains how diverse partnerships and strategies can be used to prevent the spread of harmful species. Following the screening, a panel of invasive species professionals will be on hand to answer audience questions, including:
- Eric Day – Virginia Tech Insect ID Lab | Manager
- Nicole Hersch - Local landowner & Plant SWVA Natives | Campaign Coordinator
- Ryan Klopf – DCR Natural Heritage Program | Regional Supervisor (Mountain Region)
This is free and open to the public, so bring along family, friends, and neighbors!
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Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Advisor
USAID's Bureau for Global Health is hiring a Water and Sanitation Advisor for the Environmental Health Team. The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Advisor will primarily support the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Office and the extended WASH team as a PHI Institutional Support Contractor (ISC). In this role, the selected candidate will provide USAID with programmatic and technical expertise in water, sanitation, hygiene, and other areas of environmental health as these relate to public health, and particularly to child survival.
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FREC 6984: Tree Defense Mechanisms
Carrie Fearer, a GCC faculty affiliate, will teach FREC 6984: Tree Defense Mechanisms in the upcoming fall semester. In this course, students will learn about the chemical and biological functions involved in the deployment of woody-plant defenses and host resistance against common stressors, such as insects, pathogens, and herbivores. Topics will include the current methods and applications of using host resistance and defense mechanisms to protect tree health from nonnative, invasive pests and pathogens, including phenotyping, genotyping, and breeding technologies.
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Restoration Funds Available for Remediation
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is offering approximately $1.3 million in Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program (WCAP) grants to support acid mine drainage remediation projects by non-profit organizations, with grants capped at $100,000 per project. Projects may include water treatment system installation or land reclamation efforts aimed at restoring local streams and providing recreational opportunities.
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Tropical Forest Landscapes Certificate
Yale University's online certificate program on Tropical Forest Landscapes is now accepting applications until April 5, 2024. This interdisciplinary program offers a dynamic online experience, teaching core concepts and practical tools for effective conservation and restoration initiatives, with benefits including access to a world-class institution, connections with environmental professionals globally, and flexible learning schedules.
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Frank Aylward
Biological Sciences
| A new paper co-authored by GCC faculty affiliate, Frank Aylward, discusses a method called TIGTOG (Taxonomic Information of Giant viruses using Trademark Orthologous Groups), which employs machine learning to classify giant virus genomes based on their protein family content. Giant viruses are widespread and have complex genomes, making their taxonomic classification challenging. The authors trained a model using a diverse set of giant virus genomes and achieved high accuracy in predicting their taxonomic classification at both the order and family levels. This approach provides a fast and accurate way to classify giant viruses. Additionally, Aylward was recently elected to the executive committee of the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses. Congratulations! | |
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Indigenous Fellow in Residence for Spring 2024
Marcus Briggs-Cloud (Maskoke) will be visiting Virginia Tech from April 8-12. This program brings respected elders to campus to mentor Indigenous students, offering academic, social, and spiritual support. During their week-long visit, fellows engage with students through office hours, discussions on Indigenous issues, collaborative projects, classroom involvement, and public speaking engagements.
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'Seiva Bruta' Documentary Screening and Webinar Discussion
Celebrate International Women's Month with FAWNS as we explore the narratives of women shaping conservation in the Amazon. Join us on March 29th from 12-1pm (EST) at Latham Hall, 311, or via Zoom for a screening of the documentary "Seiva Bruta," followed by a webinar discussion with women leaders and the director. Produced by Fernanda Preto, "Seiva Bruta" delves into the lives of women in the Middle Juruá, highlighting their roles in sustainable practices and the challenges they face.
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The Impact of Climate Change on Vulnerable Populations
The Maury Strauss Distinguished Public Lecture presents Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta discussing "The Impact of Climate Change on Vulnerable Populations: What Can Be Done?" on April 4, 2024, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Dr. Bhutta will delve into the effects of climate change, particularly heat, on vulnerable populations, and explore potential adaptation measures and community responses, shedding light on strategies to address the challenges faced by the most marginalized communities globally.
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3D-printed Skeleton of Teleocrater rhadinus
A recent project, funded by an Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology grant and led by GCC faculty affiliates Sterling Nesbitt and Michelle Stocker, utilized technology to bring ancient organisms back to life. In collaboration with the University Libraries’ Prototyping Studio and utilizing 3D scanners and printers, the project created a strikingly realistic replica of the extinct Teleocrater rhadinus, utilizing ancient fossils dating back more than 240 million years.
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Podcast Episode Focuses on Air Pollution
Gabriel Isaacman-VanWertz, a GCC faculty affiliate, recently discussed air pollution on Virginia Tech's 'Curious Conversations' Podcast. He highlighted his current research in Ecuador, focusing on air quality with an emphasis on climate change impacts on the Amazon rainforest and its feedback on the atmosphere, while also expressing growing optimism for positive changes amidst increasing awareness of environmental issues.
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Leading the Circular Revolution
Research led by GCC faculty affiliate, Jennifer Russell, aims to catalyze a circular revolution in industry by transitioning from linear extraction and waste processes to a circular economic model emphasizing value retention and reuse. Russell also works to connect researchers worldwide to advance systemic solutions for sustainability challenges and facilitate discussions on sustainable progress, net-zero waste, and more.
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Do you have an opportunity or announcement you'd like to share with the GCC community? Send us an email!
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