Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More University are participating in a five-year, $20 million National Science Foundation project aimed at advancing Kentucky’s climate resiliency.
Over the next five years, NKU will receive $296,269 to provide undergraduates with research opportunities in stream ecology and changes in climate, geography, and land cover. Biological Sciences Professor Kristy Hopfensperger is leading NKU’s contribution to the project.
NKU will also host one of the project’s Learning Hubs, which develop pathways for Kentucky undergraduate students to pursue advanced degrees while providing technical training for students on various geoscience-related subjects. NKU’s Learning Hub will focus on environmental science, stream ecology and community engagement.
The Thomas More Biology Field Station will receive $231,100 over the next five years with the goal of hiring five undergraduate students to assist with ongoing ecological research projects. The students will live onsite at the Biology Field Station lodge, located along Route 8 in eastern Campbell County, for 10 weeks and receive a stipend and free housing.
The long-term research projects include a bioassessment of the Ohio River, Northern Kentucky stream assessments and aquaculture conservation.
CLIMBS, or Climate Resilience through Multidisciplinary Big Data Learning, Prediction and Building Response Systems, aims to enhance Kentucky’s long-term growth trajectory as a leader in climate resiliency and hazard management that will promote industry-university partnerships and attract future funding.
CLIMBS is funded by the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
NKU and Thomas More were two of eight higher education institutions in Kentucky selected to participate. In addition, the University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University are all participating in CLIMBS.