Steve Jankoski will never forget the extremely hot 1977 commencement ceremony in New Brunswick when he and his brother, Frank, were the first in their family to receive college degrees. “I thought ‘Wow! I made it! I graduated from Rutgers University,’” says Jankoski, who studied agricultural economics at Cook College, while Frank studied chemical engineering […]
SEBS
New Arctic Bacteria Could Help Us Understand Climate Change’s Impact on Carbon Release
In a recent study published in ISME Communications, researchers discovered five brand-new species of cold-loving bacteria in the Arctic tundra of northern Finland. Lee Kerkhof, professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, and Max Häggblom, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology—both affiliates of the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute—are co-authors on […]
When It Comes to Breastfeeding, Study Shows Timing Is an Important Consideration
Rich in nutrients, immune-boosting proteins and beneficial bacteria, breast milk has long been hailed as nature’s perfect food for babies. Now, a Rutgers University-led study suggests that breast milk is more than just nourishment. Breast milk also is a biological clock, sending time-sensitive signals to help guide a baby’s development. With breast milk, timing might […]
Stable at -450°F: Why These Rare Earth Materials Matter for Clean Energy Tech
Rare earth elements (REEs) play a big role in modern technologies, including electronics, magnetics, and systems that generate clean energy. A new study explores the stability of some rare earth materials—specifically, rare earth oxychlorides—which is crucial for their future applications in clean energy and advanced electronics. Richard Riman, an affiliate of the Rutgers Climate and Energy […]
Josuel Barrios SEBS’29 – Raised on Rutgers Pride
Rutgers University welcomed more than 15,233 first-year and transfer students this fall, among them Josuel Barrios, a first-year student at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), who was raised on Rutgers Pride. “I grew up with a lot of Rutgers spirit, going to the football games and Rutgers Day,” said Barrios, whose mom, […]
Smarter Microgrids Could Make Clean Energy More Reliable
Keeping the lights on during storms, blackouts, or equipment failures is a growing challenge as we shift toward renewable energy. A new study published in Computers & Industrial Engineering explores how advanced artificial intelligence (AI) can help design microgrids—localized energy systems that combine solar, wind, batteries, and other sources—to be both cost-effective and highly reliable. […]
Early-Career SEBS Faculty Forge New Connections at Back-To-School Retreat
“My biggest takeaway was that your Rutgers experience is what you make of it.” This comment from Meishka Mitchell, a new lecturer in the Department of Human Ecology, came after attending the SEBS Early Career Faculty Retreat in late August. In this event coordinated by the SEBS Office of Research and hosted at Rutgers Gardens, […]
Tagging Fluke through the FiTREP Program Managed by Rutgers
The original article, “Tagging Fluke,” is reprinted, with permission, by On The Water magazine. Paul Ziajski, owner of Great Bay Outfitters, is the primary author of this article. Chase Wunder, the Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellow at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, who is pursuing a master’s degree in Ecology and Evolution at […]
New Way to Keep the Power On: Smarter Use of Local Energy
As we use more electricity for things like cars and heating, power distribution systems are becoming more stressed—especially as our electric grids get older—and power outages are becoming more impactful. But what if the local solar panels, batteries, or even electric cars and heaters themselves could help keep the lights on? That’s the big idea […]
How Nature Can Make Urban Dwellers Healthier
A study by Rutgers ecologist Myla Aronson and colleagues has found “overwhelming” evidence that increasing biodiversity in cities – establishing parks, installing native plants and encouraging sustainable landscaping – can significantly improve human health. Reporting in the science journal People and Nature, Aronson and coauthors described conducting a systematic review of more than 1,500 studies to synthesize […]
