Why do people trust scientists? A new study from GCC affiliate Dr. Dara Wald found that perceptions of scientists' motivations play a major role in whether people trust scientific information and support science-based policies. Learn More:

Scientists’ credibility depends on audience and perceived motives

A new study identifies five audience "classes" based on people's perceptions of scientists’ credibility.

news.vt.edu

Welcome to the newest Rural Environmental Health cohort! We're excited to welcome Emily Thompson and Mario Rodriguez to the Interfaces of Global Change community as they pursue research addressing environmental health challenges in rural communities. Full Story:

2026-27 Cohort of Rural Environmental Health Participants Announced

The GCC is excited to welcome two new Rural Environmental Health Participants to the Interfaces of Global Change Program!

globalchange.vt.edu

Students in GCC affiliate Dr. Erin Toffelmier's conservation biology capstone course headed to Mill Mountain to survey rare salamanders. By photographing individuals & recording locations, they're estimating population density, identifying individuals, & gaining research experience.

Surveying imperiled salamanders

For their senior capstone project, students in conservation biology are studying a species of endemic salamanders located on Mill Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia.

news.vt.edu

🌊 New research involving GCC affiliates Ben Gill and Rachel Reid found that ancient oceans began losing oxygen nearly 8 million years before the end-Triassic mass extinction. The study provides insight into long-term ocean deoxygenation and climate change.

Ancient oceans began suffocating millions of years before Triassic mass extinction

Oceans began losing oxygen nearly 8 million years before the end‑Triassic mass extinction, according to new research. The findings could offer a road map for today’s warming oceans.

news.vt.edu

Research led by GCC affiliate Dr. Carrie Fearer is shedding light on how forest disturbances are reshaping high-elevation ecosystems in the Southern Appalachians. The project examines the impacts of disease and extreme weather on forest health and vulnerable species.

Studying life at nearly a mile high

Through fieldwork on Virginia's highest peaks, students are helping researchers understand how forest disturbances reshape wildlife habitat and ecosystem health, especially for the rare and…

news.vt.edu

🥬 GCC affiliate Dr. Jingqiu Liao received the Larry Beuchat Young Researcher Award for research that improves food safety by examining how Listeria adapts to survive in food-processing environments. Read More:

From soil to salad: How engineers are tracking the hidden journey of listeria

Jingqiu Liao is uncovering how dangerous bacteria like listeria survive in nature and food-processing environments. This work can help trace outbreaks faster and make fresh foods safer before they…

news.vt.edu

The Urban Evolutionary Entomology Laboratory @vtcals.bsky.social seeks a #postdoc to investigate fundamental questions in population genomics & urban evolution using pest insect systems. Excellent employee benefits & training environment. Apply by August 30th! jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/postdoc...

Postdoctoral Associate - Blacksburg, Virginia, United States

Job Description The Urban Evolutionary Entomology Laboratory at Virginia Tech is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate to investigate fundamental questions in population genomics and urb...

jobs.apply.vt.edu

IGC Coffee Conversations returned this spring, giving fellows the opportunity to connect with GCC-affiliated faculty and discuss research, career paths, outreach, and more. Thanks to Drs. Ryan Calder, Stacy Endriss, and Valentina Gomez-Bahamon! More: linktr.ee/globalchangevt

Global Change Center at VT Official: Instagram, X, Facebook | Linktree

Science is Service

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🦎 Helping Appalachia's hellbenders make a comeback. Research led by GCC Director Bill Hopkins and GCC affiliate Erin Hotchkiss is supporting recovery efforts through captive rearing, habitat restoration, and community engagement.

North America's largest salamanders are in trouble. Researchers in Virginia are helping them survive

The number of hellbender salamanders has been declining for decades, but researchers in Virginia have now made a breakthrough that may help them survive.

wvtf.org

Congratulations to GCC affiliates Alasdair Cohen, Hosein Foroutan, and Landon Marston on receiving Fulbright Scholar Awards for 2026–27. Their projects highlight the power of global research partnerships to address environmental challenges.

Nine faculty members receive Fulbright Scholar Awards

Over the coming year with their Fulbright awards, the nine will conduct research in aerospace materials, artificial intelligence, environmental health, water resources, plastic pollution, sustainable…

news.vt.edu

IGC alum Dr. Gabrielle Ripa is combining her interests in plant ecology, invasive species, and wildlife conservation to help address challenges facing native plant and wildlife communities. Read more about her journey and her next chapter at NC State:

Gabrielle Ripa Reflects on Mentorship, Fieldwork, and Her Next Chapter in Conservation science

As she graduates, Gabrielle Ripa shares how her Virginia Tech training shapes her next chapter in conservation research.

globalchange.vt.edu

🎉 Meet the 2026–27 Global Change Fellows! Every year, the IGC IGEP awards fellowships to PhD students whose interdisciplinary research tackles critical global change issues. Meet the four incredible researchers shaping a more sustainable future!

Congratulations to 2026-27 Global Change Fellowship Awardees!

Please join us in congratulating Atif Ali, Mariana Castaneda-Guzman, Katie Hoffman and Anu Rai – recipients of this year’s IGC Global Change Fellowships!

globalchange.vt.edu

What can fossils reveal about global change? IGC alum Dr. Ben Kligman is exploring that question while leading one of the nation's largest fossil collections at UT Austin. Read more about his journey:

Ben Kligman Leads Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections

Ben Kligman, the curator in charge of the Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections and an assistant professor of practice at the…

jsg.utexas.edu

This spring, more than 100 faculty members and graduate students gathered for the 2026 Interfaces of Global Change Graduate Research Symposium. From disease ecology to energy policy, IGC fellows showcased interdisciplinary research tackling complex environmental challenges.

Interdisciplinary Research Takes Center Stage at 2026 IGC Graduate Research Symposium

The IGC Graduate Research Symposium brought fellows and faculty together to share interdisciplinary research, strengthen collaboration, and celebrate student achievement at Virginia Tech.

globalchange.vt.edu

Big congratulations to 10 GCC faculty affiliates receiving promotion and/or tenure in 2026! These milestones reflect outstanding research, teaching, and service — and a shared commitment to shaping the future of global change science. 🌍

Congratulations to GCC Affiliates Receiving Promotion and/or Tenure in 2026!

Join us in celebrating the GCC faculty affiliates that received promotion and/or tenure in 2026!

globalchange.vt.edu

GCC affiliates Elizabeth Hunter and Haldre Rogers are leading two federally funded projects exploring ecosystem-based approaches to endangered species conservation. Together, the projects received $4M to help improve wildlife management across complex landscapes. 🌿

Researchers receive $4 million to improve endangered species management on military lands

Two projects earned $4 million from the federal government to advance ecosystem-based wildlife management, helping military installations protect endangered species more efficiently.

news.vt.edu

How can agroforestry support food security and environmental resilience? For IGC alum Dr. Sarah Juster, that question has guided years of research and partnership-building in Uganda. Now, she's taking that work beyond academia and into policy and practice. 🔗 Read her story:

Sarah Juster Connects Agroforestry Research with Policy Solutions

As she graduates, Sarah Juster reflects on her doctoral research in Uganda and her next steps translating science into policy and practice.

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💡 Discover AGU travel grants! These programs provide essential support for students, helping cover costs associated with attending #AGU26 and participating in early career-building activities. ➡️ Learn more and submit your application by 12 August: spklr.io/63322EOFbo #Grants

How can scientists build trust with the public? A new study from Virginia Tech suggests that credibility isn't just about expertise - it's also about whether people believe scientists are motivated by the public good. news.vt.edu/articles/202...

Scientists’ credibility depends on audience and perceived motives

A new study identifies five audience "classes" based on people's perceptions of scientists’ credibility.

news.vt.edu

Meet the newest GCC faculty affiliates! These scholars bring fresh perspectives across disciplines to tackle today’s most pressing environmental and societal challenges. Help us welcome them to the GCC community! globalchange.vt.edu/news/news-st...

Researchers from around the world gathered at Virginia Tech for the Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Conference. The week fostered scientific exchange, new collaborations, and fresh ideas to help address infectious disease challenges in a changing world. 🔗 linktr.ee/globalchangevt

Congratulations to ISC Director, Dr. Jacob Barney, for receiving Virginia Tech's prestigious Frontier Award! Dr. Barney studies the causes, impacts, spread, and management of #invasive plant species. Read the full article here 🔗 news.vt.edu/articles/202...

IGC fellows explored storytelling as a research tool in a workshop co‑hosted with VT’s Center for Communicating Science. Led by Patty Raun and Carrie Kroehler, the session highlighted how authentic stories help global change science connect & inspire. 🔗 globalchange.vt.edu/news/news-st...

IGC Fellows Explore Storytelling as a Tool to Bring Global Change Research to Life

IGC graduate fellows participated in a storytelling workshop led by Virginia Tech’s Center for Communicating Science to strengthen narrative skills for global change research.

globalchange.vt.edu

Wonderful conversations at #wundergrad posters during today's Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research Conference. I enjoyed seeing what many of my Ecology students were up to while celebrating the posters of our lab members & research students! 💧🌎👩‍🔬 @globalchangevt.bsky.social @vt-science.bsky.social

GCC affiliate Dr. Seanne Clemente, working in the Rogers’ lab, is studying whether wild chilis on Guam change after losing native bird seed dispersers. By comparing peppers on islands with and without birds, the research explores how plants respond when key partners vanish. 🔗 buff.ly/IBP98ym

Three GCC affiliates shared big ideas at the 2026 Faculty Nutshell Talks. Their talks are now live on the Center for Communicating Science’s YouTube channel as part of the Most‑Watched Video Award competition. Voting closes April 21 at 9 a.m. 🔗

GCC Affiliates Share Big Ideas at Faculty Nutshell Talks

GCC faculty affiliates took the stage at the 2026 Faculty Nutshell Talks, sharing bold research ideas. Watch their recorded talks now on the CCS YouTube channel.

globalchange.vt.edu

Reminder: Registration is open for EEID 2026 at Virginia Tech. Attendance is capped and demand is high, so early registration is encouraged. Registration closes May 1. 🔗 cpe.vt.edu/eeid2026/reg...

🚨 New Pathogems episode is out! What Color is Science with Dr. James Weger-Lucarelli In this episode the girls sit down with Dr. James Weger-Lucarelli to discuss what motivates professors, how to form a committee, and, of course, the color of science. youtu.be/cOEuQSLx0Ns?...

What Color is Science? w/ Dr. James Weger-Lucarelli

YouTube video by Pathogems

youtu.be

The ISC's quarterly newsletter is out! Each edition shares important announcements, opportunities, events, and the latest research from Virginia Tech. Spring newsletter ➡️ mailchi.mp/a79baac19373...

Celebrate Arbor Day 2026! Join Blacksburg Parks and Recreation on April 11th as they plant trees across town 🌳🌲 Register here: www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448A9...