Lecture to Emphasize the impact of U.S. Foreign Investment on Environmental Pollution and Health

November 4^th, 7pm

Trustee’s Room - Upper Convocation Center

Perry Gottesfeld

The Ashland University College of Arts and Sciences' Symposium AgainstIndifference: Engaging Latin America and the Caribbean will host a lecture by Perry Gottesfeld, Executive Director of Occupational Knowledge International (OK International).

Co-sponsored by the Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Mr. Gottesfeld will speak on Monday, November 4^th at 7 p.m. in the Trustee’s Room located in the Upper Convocation Center. 
U.S. corporate investment in industrial facilities is often welcomed by countries looking to expand markets, modernize antiquated facilities, create jobs, and improve productivity.  However, such investments are often followed by disappointment as companies continue to operate polluting plants that draw the attention of local regulators. These companies also come under criticism at home for not meeting U.S. standards for emissions and occupational health and safety protections.  This talk will explore two case studies outlining U.S. investments in Peru and Mexico that are resulting in significant environmental and public health impacts.

Perry Gottesfeld has been actively involved in the environmental health field since 1984. He obtained his Masters of Public Health in Biomedical and Environmental Health Sciences from UC Berkeley, and in 1988 started Occupational Knowledge, Inc., to offer training and consulting services in the environmental field. In this capacity, Mr. Gottesfeld has conducted environmental audits, training and consulting services to businesses, non-profit organizations, government and universities on hazardous materials and solid waste management issues. In 1999, Gottesfeld founded OK International to address environmental health in developing countries. OK International is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health through innovative strategies to reduce exposures to industrial pollutants. The organization seeks to address inequities in environmental standards between developed and developing countries by working in partnership with industry, government and non-governmental organizations. The organization's web site may be found at www.okinternational.org.

Ashland biology major interns at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Mallory with a burmese python

Junior biology major Mallory Balmert spent her summer teaching the public about exotic animals at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  Mallory's paid internship with the education department at the zoo gave her valuable experience in public science outreach and an inside track towards her goal to work in zoo science.  In addition to handling animals and presenting daily to zoo visitors Mallory had the opportunity to see animal care behind the scenes and work with zoo staff.  Mallory told us that:

"Working at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this summer as a Seasonal Education Assistant was such a rewarding experience, not only because I got to learn so much about animal care, but also because I got to teach and encourage others to get involved with wildlife."

Showing off a kookaburra

Fall is a great time to begin investigating internship opportunities for next summer.  Many internships in the sciences are paid.  Keep checking back to this blog and our Facebook page for updates on internship opportunities.  You can get some general tips on finding summer internships here.

Environmental Lecture on Nov.7 to link Environment, Peace, and Security

The second event in this year’s Environmental Lecture Series will be a presentation by Geoffrey Dabelko from Ohio University titled "Environment, Peace, and Security: Lessons from Latin America."  That will be Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 pm in the Ronk Lecture Hall, COE.  This event is being co-hosted by the Ashland Center for Nonviolence.

Dr. Geoffrey D. Dabelko, Ohio University

Dr. Geoffrey D. Dabelko is Professor and Director of Environmental Studies at the George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University in Athens, OH. From 1997-2012, he served as director of the Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP), a nonpartisan policy forum on environment, population, and security issues at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C.   Dabelko continues to work as a senior advisor to the Wilson Center where he helps facilitate dialogue among policymakers, practitioners, and scholars grappling with the complex connections that link environment, health, population, conflict, and security.   Dabelko is also a member of the United Nations Environment Programme's Expert Advisory Group on Environment, Conflict, and Peacebuilding. 

Dabelko is co-editor of the 2002 book Environmental Peacemaking, that describes how environmental degradation can catalyze conflict and violence.  On the other hand, cooperation between adversaries with shared environmental concerns can open up pathways to peace and security, by “enhancing trust, establishing habits of cooperation, lengthening the time horizons of decision makers, forging cooperative trans-societal linkages, and creating shared regional norms and identities.”  Dabelko’s most recent research focuses on climate change and security linkages as well as environmental pathways to confidence building and peacemaking, with a special emphasis on management of fresh water resources.   He is a lead author for the 5th assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II Chapter 12 on Human Security.  He also teaches courses on global environmental politics, environmental leadership, climate change, and environmental peacebuilding. 

   

This year’s Environmental Lecture Series explores “Environmental and Human Health in Latin America,” with perspectives from experts in human ecology, policy, and scientific study related to specific environmental issues.

SCI Scholars: Chemistry Internships for Summer 2014

The SCI Scholars Program is a joint effort of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).  One goal of the program is to introduce chemistry students to careers in the chemical industry.  SCI Scholars receive $6,000-$10,000 for a ten-week internship in addition to funds for travel to a scientific meeting.  Exceptional sophomore and junior chemistry majors with a GPA of at least 3.5 are encouraged to apply.  Applications are due December 14, 2013.

Announcement of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics

A note from Dr. Rodney Michael, Associate Professor of Physics:

 

The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to Francois Englert and Peter Higgs for the theory of how particles get their mass.  The current understanding of the universe is based on the Standard Model of Particle Physics.  This model states that everything in the universe from flowers and galaxies to you is built from a handful of fundamental matter particles and force particles.  This standard model, which explained the world very well, predicted that the particles should have no mass, contrary to observation.  In 1964 Englert and Higgs independently proposed a new quantum field and associated particle.  This ‘Higgs Particle’ provided a mechanism for the fundamental particles to gain mass thus saving the standard model.  On 04 July 2012 scientists at CERN announced the observation of the Higgs particle confirming the standard model and the Higgs Field. For more information see:   http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2013/popular-physicsprize2013.pdf

Ashland University Fall Career Fair is tomorrow

Whether you are actively looking for an internship or job or plan to in the future (hint: this includes all current AU students) you will benefit from attending tomorrow's (Tuesday, October 8th) Fall Career Fair from 1-4 pm in Upper Convo.  You can read the list of companies in attendance at the Fair here, and check out this great blog post from AU Career Services on why you should be there.

Toxicology major Alison Biro went to last year's career fair just to check things out and wound up with a fantastic summer research internship.  Check out the interview with Alison below.  You should be taking advantage of this opportunity to talk with recruiters from companies and graduate schools all throughout our region.

Career services asks that you dress professionally when attending the Fair and bring copies of your resume.  Don't have a resume?  You can work with Career Services to develop a resume for the next fair.  If you are a major in the Department of Biology/Toxicology you will be developing or improving your current resume in our Bio 301 Professional Development course.