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researchers in a wetland

6-Research overview

Impactful research informs sustainability and equity initiatives

SES investigators conduct applied research to help policy makers, land managers, and community advocates make informed decisions about issues impacting sustainability, community health, and equity. These highlights offer a glimpse into their impactful research.

muskrat

The role of muskrats in controlling invasive wetland plants

Shane Lishawa, MS, an SES senior research associate studied how muskrat activities impact wetland habitats. He and his collaborators found that the semiaquatic rodents could play a vital role in managing invasive plants, contributing to efforts to restore wetlands in the Great Lakes region.

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volunteer working in a food pantry

Enhancing collaborations to support food security

Associate Professor Tania Schusler, PhD, and SES graduate program alum Dikshya Dahal (MS' 23) examined how Chicago-area organizations collaborated to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their findings emphasize the importance of relationship-building and equitable resource-sharing in withstanding food system disruptions.

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bikers and joggers on the 606 rails to trails path

Strategies for preventing environmental gentrification

SES faculty members Tania Schusler, PhD, and Richard (Max) Melstrom, PhD, each published research exploring how cities can create a healthier, greener environment without driving gentrification. Their work offers insights for balancing sustainability and social equity.

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Emily Hammermeister

Using birds killed in building collisions to study forever chemicals in wild birds

Scientists recognize the need to understand how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals," impact people and ecosystems. Assistant Professor Gordon Getzinger, PhD, published results from a study that used birds killed in building collisions to understand PFAS exposure in various bird species.

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Red swamp crayfish

Managing the arrival and spread of aquatic invasive species

Invasive species are the most significant driver of biodiversity and economic losses in the Great Lakes ecosystem. The Keller lab, led by Professor Reuben Keller, PhD, published two papers that provide novel insights for managing the arrival and spread of invasive species in the Great Lakes.

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