News & Events

• Food & Water Watch's Wenonah Houter to speak Feb 27

  Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch, has worked extensively on food, water, energy, and environmental issues at the national, state and local level. Foodopoly: The Battle Over the Future of Food and Farming in America examines the corporate consolidation and control over our food system and what it means for farmers and consumers. Ms. Hauter is experienced in developing policy positions and legislative strategies, and she is also a skilled and accomplished organizer, having lobbied and developed grassroots field strategy and action plans. She has an M.S. in Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland.

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• New JD/PhD program launched

  The University of Miami has become only the third school in the nation to offer a doctoral degree in environmental science alongside the Juris Doctor degree. Catering to those looking to pursue careers in environmental policy, science, law, or government, the degree will be offered as an interdisciplinary program between the School of Law and Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy.

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• Dr. Dale Jamieson to speak on environmental ethics January 29

  "Is there a future for environmental ethics?"  Dr. Dale Jamieson, Professor of Environmental Studies and of Philosophy, Director of Environmental Studie and the Center for Bioethics,  and Affiliated Professor of Law at New York University will discuss the current state and prospects for environmental ethics.

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• Dr. Dale Jamieson, Professor of Environmental Studies and of Philosophy, Director of Environmental Studies and the Center for Bioethics,  and Affiliated Professor of Law at New York University will deliver a kickoff lecture in honor of the new J.D./Ph.D. program in Environmental Science and Policy, a joint program between the School of Law and the Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy.  The talk begins at 5 p.m., Monday, January 28, in the 4th floor faculty meeting room at the School of Law.

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• Dr. David Letson featured as hurricane expert on leading personal finance website Read more…
• Advancing Careers in Interdisciplinary Research: A SEEDS sponsored workshop

  

  A SEEDS sponsored workshop to explore the dimensions of interdisciplinary research and give students and faculty insights into developing diverse careers.  Join us for research presentations, discussions, and  networking. Special attention will be given to issues for women and minorities.

  February 11, 2013  Ungar 230 C

  Spaces are limited, so please register by Feb. 5, 2013 at http://bit.ly/VG0olP

  Want to share your research at this forum? Submit an abstract by Jan. 25, 2013 at http://tinyurl.com/submitabstract

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• Abess Center debuts new brochure Read more…
• Dr. Kenny Broad on FORA.tv Read more…
• Dr. Neil Hammerschlag speaking on TEDx Miami Read more…
• Dr. Zen Faulkes to speak on "Girl Panic! How female crayfish clones can conquer continents" Nov. 14

  Dr. Zen Faulkes, Associate Professor of Biology at University of Texas Pan American will speak Wednesday, November 14 at 3:30 p.m. in Ungar 230 C on, "Girl Panic!  How female crayfish can conquer continents."  The marbled crayfish is an all female, asexually reproducing crayfish. This relative of the Floridian slough crayfish was discovered in Germany, and native populations are still unknown in the wild. Today, marbled crayfish are sold as pets around the world, and introduced populations have been established on two continents, probably from release from aquariums. Past introductions of non-native crayfish have caused large and unwanted consequences. Combining monitoring of the popularity of marbled crayfish in the pet trade and ecological modelling of potential habitat can help determine what areas face the biggest risk from introductions of this clone species.

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• Dr. Kenny Broad part of esteemed panel on "The Future of Exploration in NYC" to celebrate upcoming 125th anniversary of National Geographic

  

  Top photo, L to R: Bob Ballard, oceanographer who found the Titanic; Stephanie Sinclair, Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist; Ann Curry, moderator and humanitarian journalist; Dr. Kenny Broad; and Chris Johns, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Magazine

  

• Environmental Travel Grant winner David Weinstein's Mesophotic Geology website Read more…
• Prof. Josh Eagle to speak on "Making the Public Whole After an Oil Spill" Nov 9, 10 am, Ungar 230C Read more…
• Dr. Kenny Broad discusses "Blue Holes and Dark Energy: Mapping the Unknown" with Adam Reiss, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics

  

• Fish biologist Dr. Steve Cooke to speak October 29, 11 a.m., Ungar 230 C Read more…
• Doug Fuller quoted in NPR story on new method of tracking malaria via cellphone Read more…
• Post Carbon Institute's Michael Shuman leads workshop at CAS Gallery Oct. 24

  The Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, with the College of Arts & Sciences and the UM Office of Civic & Community Engagement, is pleased to is pleased to support a workshop with Michael Shuman of the Post Carbon Institute on Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in the CAS Gallery on UM campus.  This event is part of the Greater Everglades Community Food Summit, organized by EarthLearning and taking place at various locations throughout South Florida from Oct. 19-24.   

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• Wharton School's Professor Robert Meyer to discuss new study of hurricane preparedness

  Robert Meyer, Gayfryd Steinberg Professor of Marketing and Co-Director of the Risk Management and Decision Processes Center, joins us from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  He will be speaking on "Misperceiving the storm: biases in coastal residents' decisions to prepare for hurricane threats."  He will report the findings of a 3-year program research measuring coastal residents' perceptions of hurricane threats and their preparatory actions during actual storm events.  Among the major findings is a systematic tendency for residents to over-estimate the likelihood that their homes will experience conditions, but un-prepare for storms given those beliefs.  In addition, the data provide new insights into the dynamics of how residents learn about storm threats, with a major finding being that word-of-mouth and social media play relatively minor roles in information diffusion compared to television.  Implications of the findings for hurricane risk communication are explored.  The talk will be in Ungar Building 230 C from 2:30 to 3:30, Monday, October 15.  More information: 305.284.8519.

• 3rd Annual Greater Everglades Community Food Summit to hold events at Abess Center on Oct. 22 and 23 Read more…
• Rick Counihan, EnerNOC VP for Government Affairs to talk on energy careers Oct. 18 Read more…
• Rick Counihan, EnerNOC VP for Government Affairs to talk on demand response Oct. 18

  Rick Counihan has held positions in local, state, and federal government, as well as the electric industry, working with utilities (Southern California Edison), research organizations (EPRI), and start-up companies (Green Mountain Energy, EnerNOC).  He will be speaking on voluntary demand-side energy efficiency programs at 3:30 in Ungar 230 C.  For further information, 305.284.8519.

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• Dr. Kenny Broad to share stage with Nobel-prize winning physicist at National Geographic Read more…
• ECS PhD student Austin Gallagher's new short film, "Coastguards"

  Third-year ECS student Austin Gallagher describes his fears and fascinations associated with sharks. Click on "Read more" to open the YouTube link.

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• ECS PhD student Caitlin Augustin in State Magazine

  Caitlin August, second-year PhD student in the Abess Center, did a Virtual Foreign Service Internship in 2012, and her work is described in State Magazine. Click on "Read more" to download a .pdf of the article.

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• William Rogers, Trust for Public Land, to speak at School of Architecture

  

  William B. Rogers, President and CEO of the Trust for Public Land (TPL) will discuss “The Healthy Human Habitat,” in Glasgow Hall on Thursday October 11th at 12:30 pm, in the School of Architecture’s Architecture and Environment Class. After the talk there will be a reception and opportunity to meet with Mr. Rogers.

  
  Below is a description of Mr. Rogers from the TPL website:
  Will Rogers is President and CEO of The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, playgrounds, community gardens, farms, historic places, and wilderness.  Will Rogers is a nationally recognized advocate for land conservation and has given major addresses or interviews to the Urban Land Institute, the National Smart Growth Conference, the National Brownfields Conference, and Talk of the Nation, among others.
  
  Before joining TPL, Will Rogers managed infill urban redevelopment projects for a Chicago-based real estate development company, managing both new construction and the rehabilitation of vacant industrial buildings for commercial, office, and residential use. Before becoming a developer and then an "undeveloper" Will was a commercial beekeeper, founding and managing a commercial honey production company in Bogotá, Colombia. He is a graduate of Stanford University and received his MBA from Harvard University. He lives with his family in Kensington, California, and continues to keep honeybees in his back yard.

• RJ Dunlap's Neil Hammerschlag blogs for NatGeo's Ocean Views Read more…
• Abess Center to co-sponsor talk by Dr. Arnold Stancell on the BP oil tragedy, Monday, Sep 10, 3:30, McArthur Engineering 202 Read more…
• The Abess Center introduces its new Director of Education, Dr. Keene Haywood Read more…
• Dr. Kenny Broad in Slate on the cone of uncertainty and hurricane forecasts Read more…
• The Abess Center and Orion Herbs announce the Orion Herbs Fieldwork Grant Read more…
• Turning to Africa, Drs. Fuller and Beier extend their work on land cover and mosquito distribution

  Having used similar methods to predict how changing land use patterns could effect the spread of mosquitos in the Caribbean and Latin America, Dr. Douglas Fuller, of Geography and Regional Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, and Dr. John Beier, of the department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, take a look at the Sudan and Egypt.  In the latest issue of Malaria Journal they deploy spatial modeling to examine how the expansion of irrigated cropland could lead to a re-invasion of malaria-bearing mosquitoes from the Sudan into upper Egypt.

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• TOMS teams with RJD on "The Shark Shoe"

  

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• Jim Abernathy video of Neil Hammerschlag shark work in Bahamas Read more…
• Kenny Broad to speak at AZ's Desert Botanical Garden NOV 28 Read more…
• The Abess Center and Orion Herbs announce the Orion Herbs Fieldwork Grant Read more…
• Architecture professor Joanna Lombard talks about urban satisfactions Best Block contest Read more…
• Drs. Fuller and Beier predict malaria-spreading mosquito distributions using climate information Read more…
• The Abess Center is co-sponsoring UM's 6th annual Hug the Lake event, in conjunction with Earth Week, on Friday, April 20, at 12 p.m. around Lake Osceola. Read more…
• ECS student Chris Sanchez named a 2012 Barry Goldwater Scholar. He was one of only four UM students recognized. Read more…
• ECS grad student Katie Crosley receives 2012 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship; ECS grad student Catherine Macdonald receives Honorable Mention
• Ecologist Peter Sale to speak on "Our Dying Planet" Mar 29 Ungar 230 D, 5-6:15 pm Read more…
• RJD's Neil Hammerschlag on shark ecotourism, msnbc.com Read more…
• ECS grad student David Shiffman interviewed in Scientific American Blog Read more…
• From Inspiration to Real-World Action for the Ocean: Drs. Broad and Hammerschlag in NatGeo blog Read more…
• Chris Maxey of the Cape Eleuthera Institute speaks on RSMAS Coastal Sustainability Master's

  Monday, February 21, 12pm-1pm, Ungar 230D. 

  Are you interested in a career in sustainability? Are you concerned about coastal and marine management issues? Would you like to redesign the possibilities for small island lifestyles?

  Chris Maxey of the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) of The Bahamas and RSMAS graduate will be speaking about the Institute and the RSMAS Professional Masters track in Coastal Sustainability. 

  The track consists of a semester abroad at CEI in Eleuthera, Bahamas, a semester at RSMAS and UM, and a summer project or internship.  The track has been designed to provide students with marketable skills in sustainable coastal systems management and design including coastal permaculture, aquaculture, aquaponics, island alternative energy systems, waste and water management, and more. 

  Please attend if you are considering graduate school.

  The MPS in Coastal Sustainability is currently accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year.  http://mps.rsmas.miami.edu/degree-program/coastal-sustainability/

• "Human Impacts on Reefs": A talk by Kasey Cantwell, Abess Center/Citizens Board travel winner Read more…
• "Geology in the Twilight Zone": A talk by David Weinstein, Abess Center/Citizens Board travel winner Read more…
• Abess Center PhD student David Shiffman speaks on social media and science Read more…
• ECS undergrad Claire Bailey's work gets top honors fromSouth East Asian Institute of Global Studies Read more…
• Autonomous Net-Zero Water Dorm at UM launches redesigned website Read more…
• Dr. Keene Haywood to speak on Tues., Jan 31, 2:30 pm Ungar 230-C Read more…
• New degree in Coastal Sustainability Science & Practice launched by RSMAS & Cape Eleuthera Inst. Read more…
• Dr. Kenny Broad gave talk on Bahamas blue holes expedition as part of the Explorers Club Sea Stories series November 19 in New York City
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• RJDunlap facebook page featured among top educational users in Mashable post Read more…
• Dr. Masahisa Nakamura to speak on lake management Jan. 20, 11 a.m., Ungar 230C Read more…
• Washington Post story assessing ecological accuracy of "Finding Nemo" quotes RJ Dunlap scientist Read more…
• "The Secrets of a Shark Attack" in Smithsonian covers Dr. Neil Hammerschlag's work Read more…
• Climate change and framing: a panel discussion with Dr. Kenny Broad Read more…
• Dr. Neil Hammerschlag on sharks and seal predation in Epoch Times Read more…
• Dr. Kenny Broad and Abess Center featured in fall 2011 issue of Miami Magazine Read more…
• ECS Graduate Student Katie Crosley recruited to Dr. Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Read more…
• Dr. Kenny Broad featured in President Shalala's 2011 Report Read more…
• Submission period open for film festival founded by ECS grad student Austin Gallagher Read more…
• RJ Dunlap scientists applaud new Florida shark ban Read more…
• Dr. Elliott Norse speaks on evolution of marine protected areas, Nov. 11, 2 p.m. Ungar 230 C Read more…
• Dr. Elliott Norse speaks on sustainability and deep-sea fisheries, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. RSMAS Read more…
• Abess Center and Biology dept. sponsor talk by Dr. Matt Potts, Nov. 9, 1:30 pm, Ungar 230 C Read more…
• Abess Center and Journalism program to sponsor talk by Dr. Maxwell Boykoff: "Making sense of media reporting on climate change," Nov. 14, 2-3 p.m., Ungar 230-C Read more…
• Abess Center to sponsor nuclear energy forum on Nov. 10, 5 p.m. at Shoma Hall, School of Comm Read more…
• RJ Dunlap in the news: Forbes magazine, "It's The Green Economy, Stupid" Read more…
• 21st Annual Society of Environmental Journalists Conference in Miami, October 19-23 Read more…
• Journalist Juliet Eilperin, author of "Demon Fish," to speak at RSMAS Oct. 19, 6 pm Read more…
• Austin Gallager one of three winners for best presentation at Conservation Science conference

  ECS graduate student Austin Gallagher, who is working with Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, presented "Stressed Sharks: Modeling Better Catch and Release Fishing," a talk based on his PhD research, October 13 at the Student Conference on Conservation Science-New York 2011.  Gallagher was one of three presenters receiving recognition for best presentation.  The annual conference is sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation in collaboration with the Yale School of Forestry, Columbia University Earth Institute, Fordham University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Princeton University, and the University of Cambridge. 

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• Art and conservation were themes at fundraising premier of "This Is Your Ocean: Sharks" Read more…
• ECS Graduate Students Austin Gallagher & Karlisa Callwood at NYC Student Conference on Conservation

  Austin Gallagher will speak Thursday, October 13 at 3 pm, and Karlisa Callwood will present a poster at 5 pm at the New York City Student Conference on Conservation Science.

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• RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation receives Disney Worldwide Conservation Award Read more…
• ECS undergraduate Brett Abess and co-director Gina Maranto on Food Day panel, October 24

  At the College of Arts & Sciences Gallery, 5-6:30 p.m.  

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• Dr. Shahzeen Attari to speak on "Human behavior and energy consumption" Oct. 20, 12-1 p.m.

  The Abess Center , the Department of International Studies, and The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science are pleased to present a talk by Dr. Shahzeen Z. Attari, Assistant Professor, School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University:  "Human behavior and energy consumption: Understanding decisions about energy."  Dr. Attari will speak at RSMAS campus in the SLAB Seminar Room from 12-1 p.m. on Thursday, October 20.

• PhD student Austin Gallagher's column in Coastal Angler magazine

  Austin Gallagher, a PhD student in the Abess Center who is working with Dr. Neil Hammerschlag in the RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation program, will be writing a monthly column for Coastal Angler magazine.

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• Abess Center a co-sponsor of College of Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series Read more…
• Richard Dawkins to speak on "The Magic of Reality" September 30 at 5 p.m., Storer Auditorium

  Ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins to speak  on "The Magic of Reality" at UM's Storer Auditorium on Friday, September 30 at 5 p.m.

• Carbon Farming: An Appetizing Strategy for Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Change

  Earth Learning, Abess Center, and UM Ethics Program host a workshop on wide-spread, small-scale sustainable farms as a strategy for Everglades Restoration and Climate Change reduction.  The workshop takes place Friday, September 30, 2011 at the Whitten Learning Center, Room 140, University of Miami, 5150 Brunson Drive, Coral Gables, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  The event requires registration and the fee is $15 for the general public, $10 for students.  Register Here.  For more information, phone: (305) 323-8858.
  
   

• ECS Graduate Student Austin Gallagher to give talk on catch and release fishing September 23, 10:30 a.m., at the Rosenstiel School SLAB-103
• Dr. Kenny Broad, National Geographic Explorer, to speak at UC San Diego on his expedition to the Bahamas Blue Holes

  Dr. Kenny Broad, National Geographic Explorer, to speak at UC San Diego on his expedition to the Bahamas Blue Holes

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• ECS Graduate Student David Shiffman on Dr. Kiki's Science Hour Read more…
• R.J. Dunlap hosts only So. Fla. screening of "This is Your Ocean: Sharks" October 13 Read more…
• Dr. Kenny Broad on Capitol Hill to showcase NSF-sponsored hazard research Read more…
• ECS undergraduate major Christine Shepard featured in O magazine and blog Read more…
• Dr. Kenny Broad on National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation

  Dr. Broad was on Talk of the Nation in the segment, "Explorers Push the Limits, Despite the Risks."  A podcast can be downloaded here.

• ECS Graduate Student Austin Gallagher Receives Award from Florida Sea Grant, Florida Outdoor Writers Read more…
• Society of Environmental Journalists Annual Conference Wednesday-Sunday, October 19–23 2011 Read more…
• Reitmeister-Abess Center Environmental Stewardship Award Ceremony Award to be presented to author Carl Hiaasen More details TBA
• Talk by Dr. Maria Claudia Lopez March 22, 2011 — Seminar room 103, RSMAS Read more…
• Talk by Dr. Emilio Moran March 21, 2011 — Seminar room 103, RSMAS Read more…
• All of us at the Abess Center would like to wish everyone a very happy holiday season! Best wishes for a wonderful 2011.
• The 2011 PhD in Environmental Science and Policy application is now available! Read more…
• The Abess Center's PhD program in Environmental Science and Policy featured in Miami Today! Read more…
• The National Geographic Young Explorers Grant Workshop and evening program took place on Saturday, September 25. Both events were a huge success! Read more…
• Dr. Emilio Moran, an environmental anthropologist recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences, gave a presentation on Friday, September 3, at 3:30 p.m. at the School of Communication. Read more…
• Dr. Kenny Broad's research on the blue holes of the Bahamas is National Geographic's August issue cover story. He was also featured in USA Today for his Bahamas blue holes research. Learn more. Read more…