Leaders in the areas of environmental change initiatives, climate vulnerability and energy infrastructure will present their research and findings at the 2019 Sustainability Seminar Series. The series is hosted by the University of Notre Dame's Office of Sustainability and is co-sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies and the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.
The series opened with Professor Jennifer Tank’s presentation on "The Indiana Watershed Initiative: Fighting for Freshwater Using a Translational Approach." Tank’s extensive research experience aims at better understanding the role that small streams play in removing nitrogen from the water near agricultural land, which could otherwise pollute downstream ecosystems. Her research was featured on the University’s “What Would You Fight For” series. Tank is an international authority on the cycling of nutrients in freshwater ecosystems and has published more than 160 peer-reviewed journal articles on nitrogen and carbon cycling in streams and rivers.
Remaining sessions will take place on Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. The events are free and open to students, faculty, staff and the public. Beverages and light desserts will be provided, and we encourage you to bring your lunch and reusable beverage container.
Remaining scheduled seminars are as follows:
March 22, 1050 Jenkins Nanovic Hall: “Climate Vulnerability: Measurement and Implications for Knowledge,” featuring Patrick Regan. Regan is a professor of political science and peace studies and the associate director of the Environmental Change Initiative for ND-Gain, a University effort that seeks to understand the effects of climate change through a lens of human social adaptation.
April 5, C-103 Hesburgh Center: “Notre Dame Goes Greener: An Energy Infrastructure Update,” featuring Paul Kempf, who received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Notre Dame in 1980. He began his career at the University in 1989 and is currently serving as the senior director of the utilities and maintenance departments. These two departments are responsible for the operation of the campus’s combined heat and power plant, distribution of all centrally produced utilities, and the maintenance of more than 11 million gross square feet of campus facilities. Kempf oversees a staff of over 100 University employees as well as another 100-plus contract employees involved in projects, operations, maintenance and repairs. Kempf is also a registered professional engineer in the state of Indiana.
Originally published by at green.nd.edu on March 7.