We are now accepting applications for Fall 2025 admission to Team-TERRA (NSF NRT)
For students entering the Team-TERRA program for fall 2025 (existing UConn students), applications will be reviewed starting on February 1st, 2025, with priority given to those applications that are received prior to February 1st, 2025. Rolling admission will continue until April 1st, 2025. Click Trainee Information to learn more.
Welcome to Team-TERRA - Building Resilient Landscapes for Food, Energy, Water, and Ecosystem Services in America’s Original Megalopolis. Team-TERRA is a transdisciplinary training program in the Center of Biological Risk at the University of Connecticut. The training program consists of a 2-year sequence of coursework, teamwork, a real-world internship, and associated workshops. We will use the northeastern US megalopolis stretching from Boston to Washington, D.C. as a living laboratory to understand, predict, manage, and communicate risks to food, energy, water, and ecosystems in the face of global change. As part of the training program, trainees will work in diverse teams to predict and solve complex problems of the future in regions that are urbanizing and stretched to both provide the essentials for human wellbeing while maintaining the many benefits of biodiversity and natural ecosystems.
Team-TERRA Cohort 3 - 2023-2024
Team-TERRA Cohort 2 - 2022-2023
Peter Billman, Ketki Samel, Katja Kwaku, Michael LaScaleia, Erin Dierickx, Durga Joshi, Madeline Kollegger, Bivek Bhusal, Catalina Vasquez, Josué Martínez-Martínez, Makduma Zahan Badhan & Naomi Adler
Team-TERRA Cohort 1 - 2021-2022
News
Congratulations to Adam Gallaher for completing his PhD. Upon graduation Adam will be a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell University under Dr. Steve Grodsky in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment researching solar energy and ecosystem service trade-offs and co-location.
Congratulations to Josue Martinez-Martinez who won the NASA CT Space Grant Fellowship for the next academic year. Josue also joined a startup called Toribio LLC, developing smart clothes to help with the prevention of strokes. In the startup, Josue is tasked with overseeing the artificial intelligence and data management part. They took 3rd place at the UConn Get Seeded event and won $1,000.
Congratulations to Durga P. Joshi for receiving the following awards; Accelerate UConn, Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI), UConn ($2000), February 2023. Second Prize on Get Seeded Pitch Night by Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI), UConn ($750), November 2022. SAF Student Diversity Scholar 2023, Society of American Foresters.
Congratulations to Peter Billman on the publication; Beever, E.A., Wilkening, J.L, Billman, P.D. et al. (+47 authors). 2023. Geographic and taxonomic variation in adaptive capacity among montane mammals: implications for conservation status and actions. Biological Conservation. 282: 109942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.10994
Congratulations to Madeline Kolleger who was awarded the Multidisciplinary Environmental Research Awards for Graduate Students (MERAGS) from the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering and the Institute of the Environment. UConn Today article and for her acceptance to the next cohort of AGU Science Communicators through the Voices for Science program
Congratulations to Adam Gallaher, whose proposal "Walking the walk: An analysis of the drivers, barriers, and directions of the Connecticut EV market, 2012-2021" was funded by the MERAGS program. He collaborated with Dr. Carol Atkinson-Palombo (Geography) and Dr. Lyle Scruggs (Political Science) on this project.
Collaborative Partner Organizations
We are excited to collaborate with these partner organizations:
- The premier ecosystem research institute, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. Together, we will study the risks to the urbanizing landscape of the northeastern U.S
- UConn Institute of the Environment has a mission to advance research, education, and engagement concerning the environment and sustainability at the University of Connecticut.
- UConn Center for Biological Risk seeks to improve the capacity to assess, manage, and communicate biological risks of global change through research, teaching, and community outreach. The Center focuses on risks that affect, originate from, or are mediated by biological systems.
Curriculum
Year 1 - Fall:
- EEB 5872 Environmental Risk Assessment (3 credits), Tuesdays 1:00-4:00, Bamford, TLS 171B-Dr. Mark Urban
- EEB 5882 Environmental Risk Practicum 1 (3 credits), Thursdays 2:00-4:00, Bamford, TLS 171B-Dr. Mark Urban
- EEB 5895 Section 018, Environmental Risk Communication (1 credit) - Thursdays TBD, Room TBD-Dr. Margaret Rubega
- EEB 5480 Science Communication I: Writing for Public Audiences, (3 credits) Tuesday/Thursday, 11:00-12:15, CHM T114-Dr. Margaret Rubega
Year 1 - Spring:
- EEB 5882 Environmental Risk Practicum 2 (3 credits)
- GIS course elective (3 credits)
Year 2: Workshops, Internship, Mentorship
Values Statements
Cohort 3
- We treat people with respect
- Compromising and communication are essential to working in a group
- Our projects will be practical, achievable, and provide growth
Cohort 2
- Conservation - We commit to conservation of harmony between humans & nature
- Communication - We hold communication as a necessary component of transdisciplinary work
- Curiosity - We value and promote curiosity to drive learning
- Cooperation - We believe success will come through cooperation with each other and the community
- Compassion - We strive to think and act with compassion
Cohort 1
- Open-mindedness
- Give and receive support to create an equitable, empathetic, inclusive environment
- Purpose-driven to improve the world
- Freedom to grow
- Overcome barriers
University Events
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Nov
20
Apply to Become a Pepper Scholar All Day
Apply to Become a Pepper Scholar
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
The Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) at UConn (P30 AG067988; Kuchel, Fortinsky - MPIs) is one of fifteen such centers throughout the United States funded by the National Institute on Aging at NIH. “Pepper Centers” honor Claude D. Pepper, the late Congressman who advocated for senior health and research to enable older adults to maintain or restore their independence. The overarching goal of the OAIC (Pepper) Program is to enhance function and independence in older adults through research. The UConn Pepper Center is pioneering a theme focused on Precision Gerontology, an approach to aging research and the care of older adults that seeks to render interventions enhancing function and independence more effective through an improved understanding of heterogeneity and more precise targeting (https://health.uconn.edu/pepper-center/).
A key component of all Pepper Centers is the Research Education Component (REC), which provides financial support, education, and training to Pepper Scholars who Pepper Center leadership identify as showing particular promise as independent investigators. The REC at the UConn Pepper Center, led by Dr. David Steffens and Dr. George Kuchel, includes senior research leaders at UConn and Jackson Lab who could serve as mentors to Pepper Scholars (https://health.uconn.edu/pepper-center/research-and-education-component-rec/). A mentored research project is a primary focus of being a REC Scholar.
We are issuing this solicitation to early stage faculty with an interest in aging-related research. Individuals with experience in this area are encouraged to apply, as are those with research backgrounds in non-aging related fields whose research might be enhanced with a new aging focus. Physician scientists and clinicians in other disciplines are especially encouraged to apply. We anticipate funding two new UConn Pepper Scholars through this competition. Funding for two Pepper Scholar positions would begin July 1, 2025. Pepper Scholar awards are typically awarded for one year, with a second year of funding based on evidence of progress and need. Since this award is taking place in year 5 of the current UConn Pepper Center funding cycle, a year 2 Pepper Scholar Award will also be contingent upon the parent grant’s successful competitive renewal.
The overall goals of the Pepper Center are focused on improving function and independence among older adults. As such the following criteria for Pepper Scholar Selection were developed to be consistent with these goals:• Trainee potential and commitment to an academic career
• Demonstrated commitment to aging research
• Alignment of proposed training and work with the broader mission of the NIA OAIC Pepper Center Program and the focus on UConn Pepper Center on Precision Gerontology
• Availability and commitment of suitable mentorship
• Ability to benefit from OAIC resourcesAs an initial step prior to submitting a full Pepper Scholar application, we are requesting that potential candidates submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), due by 5 PM on January 17, 2025. The LOI should be one single-spaced page consisting of two paragraphs. The first paragraph should highlight aspects of the candidate’s educational, training, and research background that are most relevant to the Pepper Scholar program, followed by a statement of how the candidate will benefit from the Pepper Scholars program. The second paragraph should include a brief description of the research project that will be supported by the Pepper Center REC.
In addition to the LOI, candidates should submit either an NIH Biosketch (preferred) or a CV.The LOI and Biosketch/CV should be addressed to Dr. David Steffens, REC Core Leader and Dr. George Kuchel, REC Core Co-Leader, and emailed to Ms. Laura Masi at masi@uchc.edu
Selected candidates will then be notified by January 31, 2025 and invited to submit a full application for the Pepper Scholar Program for a March 28, 2025 deadline. -
Nov
20
Art Exhibit in Celeste LeWitt Gallery (North Side of the Food Court) All Day
Art Exhibit in Celeste LeWitt Gallery (North Side of the Food Court)
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
UConn Health
Our latest exhibit in Celeste LeWitt Gallery features “Luminous Pastels” by Jane Penfield and “Reflective Moments” by Paul R. Berger.
(Note new date for reception.)
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Nov
20
KPhiG Dare Board All Day
KPhiG Dare Board
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
Online
We will be collecting money from online dares such as Pieing a sister or doing a Tiktok Dance. All proceeds will go to our philanthropy.
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Nov
20
No Shave November All Day
No Shave November
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
Throughout the entire month of November, Sammy (Sigma Alpha Mu) will be raising money for the Judy Fund supporting Alzheimer’s research. Check our Instagram story for our venmo!
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Nov
20
On the Move: Photographic Interventions in the Future of Parkinson’s Disease All Day
On the Move: Photographic Interventions in the Future of Parkinson’s Disease
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art (Avery Point)
On the Move is a photography exhibition celebrating the completion of an interdisciplinary inquiry at the unexpected intersection of physical therapy, photography, and art history. Awarded a UConn STEAM Innovation Grant in 2020, three early-career UConn professors created a study aimed at using creative movement and long-exposure photography to improve gait-training, motivation, and quality of life for Parkinson’s disease patients. On the Move showcases the photographs created by participants during the study, and points to new horizons for collaborative research in the arts and sciences. The exhibition is funded by a University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts STEAM Innovation Grant to principal co-investigators Clare Benson, Cristina Colón-Semenza and Charlotte Gray.
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Nov
20
On the Move: Photographic Interventions in the Future of Parkinson’s Disease All Day
On the Move: Photographic Interventions in the Future of Parkinson’s Disease
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art (Avery Point)
On the Move is a photography exhibition celebrating the completion of an interdisciplinary inquiry at the unexpected intersection of physical therapy, photography, and art history. Awarded a UConn STEAM Innovation Grant in 2020, three early-career UConn professors created a study aimed at using creative movement and long-exposure photography to improve gait-training, motivation, and quality of life for Parkinson’s disease patients. On the Move showcases the photographs created by participants during the study, and points to new horizons for collaborative research in the arts and sciences. The exhibition is funded by a University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts STEAM Innovation Grant to principal co-investigators Clare Benson, Cristina Colón-Semenza and Charlotte Gray.
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Nov
20
On the Move: Photographic Interventions in the Future of Parkinson’s Disease All Day
On the Move: Photographic Interventions in the Future of Parkinson’s Disease
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art (Avery Point)
On the Move is a photography exhibition celebrating the completion of an interdisciplinary inquiry at the unexpected intersection of physical therapy, photography, and art history. Awarded a UConn STEAM Innovation Grant in 2020, three early-career UConn professors created a study aimed at using creative movement and long-exposure photography to improve gait-training, motivation, and quality of life for Parkinson’s disease patients. On the Move showcases the photographs created by participants during the study, and points to new horizons for collaborative research in the arts and sciences. The exhibition is funded by a University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts STEAM Innovation Grant to principal co-investigators Clare Benson, Cristina Colón-Semenza and Charlotte Gray.
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Nov
20
On the Move: Photographic Interventions in the Future of Parkinson’s Disease All Day
On the Move: Photographic Interventions in the Future of Parkinson’s Disease
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art (Avery Point)
On the Move is a photography exhibition celebrating the completion of an interdisciplinary inquiry at the unexpected intersection of physical therapy, photography, and art history. Awarded a UConn STEAM Innovation Grant in 2020, three early-career UConn professors created a study aimed at using creative movement and long-exposure photography to improve gait-training, motivation, and quality of life for Parkinson’s disease patients. On the Move showcases the photographs created by participants during the study, and points to new horizons for collaborative research in the arts and sciences. The exhibition is funded by a University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts STEAM Innovation Grant to principal co-investigators Clare Benson, Cristina Colón-Semenza and Charlotte Gray.