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Weekly Update (04/20/2026)

ESPP News and Events

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Course Announcements

  • AFRE 923: Advanced Environmental Economics

    Dr. Soren Anderson will offer this graduate course on advanced economic theory of environmental management during Fall 2026. The goal is to prepare you to read and write state-of-the-art research papers in environmental economics. This requires both an understanding of the field’s main theoretical concepts and how they have evolved over time, as well as exposure to frontier research papers that explore these concepts using state-of-the-art methods (econometrics and theoretical and numerical modeling) for a range of environmental topics (like air and water pollution). We will learn the theory mainly through lectures and discussion based on textbook readings. We will explore the latest research methods by reading, critiquing, and discussing recent research papers. We will develop our own research ability by writing a detailed research proposal.

  • FSC 843: Exposure Science and Epidemiology

    Dr. Courtney Carignan will teach FSC 843, a 3-credit graduate course on exposure this fall. Student interested in environmental exposure should consider taking this course. It’s a small class with a flipped-classroom design. Students pick a topic of interest for the semester and can even use their thesis topic. Reach out to Dr. Carignan with any questions.

Seminars, Workshops, and Other Events

  • Wege Speaker Series Lecture with prolific author and environmental advocate Audrey Peterman | 4 PM, Thursday, April 23, 2026 | Virtual

    Presenting is Audrey Peterman, celebrated environmental advocate, President and Co-founder of Earthwise Productions and author of several books including From My Jamaican Gully to the World and Back: The Environmental Journey of Audrey Wright Peterman. She will speak about her work across the National Park System and advocacy in helping national parks to actively engage with diverse and underserved communities. Peterman has served on the boards of numerous national conservation organizations and co-founded the Diverse Environmental Leaders Speakers Bureau. Registration at wegespeaker2026.eventbrite.com

  • Thesis and Dissertation Writing Camp | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 11, 2026 | Bessey Hall 330

    Thesis and Dissertation Writing Camp is an opportunity for MSU grad students to have dedicated time to work on writing their theses or dissertations before the hectic semester starts!

  • RU4M Water Quality Workshop at Wayne State | May 12, 2026 |

    As part of The Michigan Water Resilience Research to Action Agenda (RU4M Water Resilience Agenda), Wayne State University will host a full-day workshop on Water Quality on May 12, 2026. This workshop will bring together researchers, policymakers, and community experts to discuss pressing water quality challenges in Michigan. The program will include four panel discussions: Harmful Algal Blooms; PFAS and Emerging Contaminants; Groundwater Contamination; and Water-Intensive Industry. To submit a poster proposal, please send your project title, author names and affiliations, and a short abstract (about 200-300 words) to Prof. Lamine Boumaiza lamine.boumaiza@wayne.edu by April 22, 2026.

  • Wege Prize finals | 10 AM, Friday, May 14, 2026 | Virtual or Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids

    Wege Prize is an annual competition that ignites game-changing solutions for the future by inspiring college/university students around the world to collaborate across institutional, disciplinary, and cultural boundaries to redesign the way economies work. Participants contend for $65,000 (USD) in total cash prizes, all while learning—and helping to show the world—what the future of problem solving looks like. Register to attend.

  • KBS Eminent Ecologist Summer 2026 Seminar Series

    Kellogg Biological Station will be hosting two Eminent Ecologists this summer! Dr. Justin Brashares (University of California-Berkeley, June 1-5) and Dr. Raina Plowright (Cornell University, June 29-July 3) will each be visiting KBS for a week to give seminars and interact with the community. Everyone is welcome to participate (see the attached flyer and our website for details).

    Seminars will take place on Monday and Wednesday. The reception will take place on Thursday. Grad students, please consider enrolling in the course for 1-2 credits (IBIO/PLB/CSS 891). Details about the reception and the meeting schedule will follow. Please feel free to email Ashley Darst with any questions!

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Funding Opportunities

  • Asian Pacific American Studies Graduate Fellowship Program | Deadline April 20, 2026

    The APAS Graduate Fellowship offers MSU graduate students a unique opportunity to develop skills in research, professional development, and community engagement in ways informed by Asian Pacific American Studies scholarship and praxis.

  • DOE Genesis Mission Funding opportunity | Deadline: April 28, 2026

    The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science has announced a $293 million Request for Applications (RFA) titled “The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI” (DE-FOA-0003612). This RFA invites interdisciplinary teams to leverage novel AI models and frameworks to address over 20 national challenges spanning advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear energy, and quantum information science. Review the RFA.

  • Michigan Applied Public Policy Research (MAPPR) Grants | Due June 22, 2026

    The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) is now accepting research proposals for the Michigan Applied Public Policy Research (MAPPR) Grant Program. The program is designed to link faculty research to current state policy discussions in Michigan. Recent topics of focus in Michigan include data centers, local property taxes, housing costs, representation and elections, aging infrastructure, energy use, zoning, natural resource management, fraud, public education, access to health care, economic opportunities, or critical demographic trends.

Job and Training Opportunities

  • Community Outreach and Engagement Expert

    A full-time (40 hours per week) hourly Community Outreach position is available in the MSU Coastal Processes and Geomorphology Lab, part of the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University. This position would be responsible for fulfilling the Community Science and Engagement deliverables specific to a funded project in collaboration with the Michigan Coastal Management Program (MCMP). Contact Dr.Ethan Theuerkauf for questions.

Weekly Update