Sustainability Research

Project 1

“Investigating Brownfield Redevelopment in Massachusetts: An In-Depth Analysis of Spatial Distribution and Its Impact on Environmental and Social Well-Being.” 
Researchers: Dr. Boah Kim (Geography) & Dr. Hannah Stohry (Social Work); and students, Roody Jean-Louis (Public Health), Monique Hanna (Social Work), Grace Smalley (Criminal Justice) and Ethan Putnam (Geography) 
Abstract: Brownfields remain among the most persistent environmental and social challenges facing postindustrial communities throughout the United States. Defined as abandoned or underutilized commercial and industrial properties complicated by actual or perceived contamination, brownfields are deeply connected to histories of industrial decline, environmental neglect, and structural inequality. This study investigates the spatial distribution of brownfields in Massachusetts and examines their relationship with environmental justice, public health vulnerability, housing insecurity, and community well-being. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial analysis with Photovoice participatory research to analyze both statewide spatial patterns and neighborhood-level lived experiences. Findings reveal that brownfields are disproportionately concentrated in socially vulnerable communities characterized by elevated poverty, unemployment, disability, minority populations, and chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes. GIS hotspot analyses identified Worcester and Springfield as areas of significant environmental burden, while Photovoice observations documented prolonged neglect, redevelopment delays, and community uncertainty surrounding contaminated land. The findings demonstrate that brownfields are not isolated environmental hazards but rather manifestations of historical policy decisions, uneven urban development, and environmental injustice. The study concludes that equitable redevelopment requires approaches centered on sustainability, public health, participatory governance, and community empowerment rather than remediation alone. 

Project 2

“The Vertical Dimension of Climate Change: Elevation-Dependent Warming and Its Global Implications.” 
Researchers: Dr. Robert Hellstrom (Geography) & Dr. Dr. Mikheil Elashvili (Mathematics); and students, Grace Sohn (Computer Science), Emily Furciniti (Geography & History), Shayla Flaherty (Geography), Quinn McCabe (Geography) 
Abstract: This interdisciplinary project investigates how climate change varies across elevation zones and the resulting impacts on environmental risk and sustainability. Central to the study is Elevation-Dependent Warming (EDW)—a phenomenon where higher altitudes experience more rapid temperature increases, leading to different (accelerated) climate change scenarios for high elevation environment and specifically the glaciers. This warming triggers cascading effects on Glacial and hydrological hazards, natural resources, ecological stability, and human livelihoods. A collaborative effort between Bridgewater State University and Ilia State University (Georgia), the research integrates meteorological monitoring, remote sensing, and data analytics to link mountain warming to downstream effects at the seacoast including the Cordillera Blanca, Peru and Caucasus, Georgia. Utilizing sensor data, satellite imagery, and basemaps, students analyze temperature trends driving accelerated glacier melt, increased flood frequency, and shifts in climate-landscape equilibrium. The research spans several geospatial disciplines, including time series analyses and numerical modeling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, and human geography, addressing real-world community challenges. By connecting physical science and environmental systems, the project identifies climate impacts ranging from highland warming to lowland ecological stress. Ultimately, this initiative fosters the development of adaptive strategies for climate resilience while providing STEM and Social Science students with hands-on research opportunities in sustainability. 
 

Project 1

“Sustainable Consumption Promotion and Community-Driven Education for the Town of Bridgewater.”
Researchers: Dr. Yongjun Shin (Communication), and Dr. Wing-Kai To (History); and student Researchers: Amanda Melville (Geography), Alena Karabetsos (Communication), and Sara Driscoll (Political Science)
Abstract: This study leverages participatory action research (PAR) to foster university–community collaboration for sustainable consumption and environmental sustainability in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. It aims to advance sustainability education, civic engagement and community-driven sustainability initiatives aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The project successfully launched a community-engaged campaign, increasing resident participation through social media and events, and established the BSC, which continues to hold monthly meetings. Students gained interdisciplinary sustainability knowledge, teamwork, advocacy skills and civic responsibility, demonstrating PAR’s transformative impact. The initiative enhanced local sustainability and social capital.

Project 2

“Engaging Cape Cod: Promoting Community Awareness and Conservation of Local Wildlife.”
Researchers: Prof. Carol “Krill” Carson (Biological Sciences) & Founder and President of NECWA, Dr. Hui Zhang (Communication) & Coordinator of BSU’s Sustainability Program; student researchers, Luke Davies (Geography), Sam Costa (Geography and Communication), Elise Ober (English), and Sophia Vitorino (Biology)
Abstract: The team conducted a literature review synthesizing climatological and ecological evidence of warming in the Gulf of Maine, which is heating faster than 99% of the world's oceans. Students participated in hands-on field work with NECWA during fall 2024, including wildlife monitoring, habitat assessment, and data collection for species such as the diamondback terrapin. Field observations, including documentation of extreme high tides at Wellfleet, a common loon entangled in plastic waste, and a dolphin stranding on Mayo Beach, grounded the research in local, firsthand environmental conditions. Sam Costa additionally contributed lived knowledge of Cape Cod's environmental challenges from his experience as a local resident. 

Project 1

“Data Visualization and Analysis of Food Waste in BSU Dining Halls” 
Researchers: Dr. Wanchunzi Yu (Mathematics) and Dr. Xiangrong Liu (Management)
Abstract: This project endeavors to offer both insightful and practical suggestions for mitigating food waste within BSU dining halls. The approach involves employing data visualization and analysis techniques, utilizing a combination of management tools and statistical methods facilitated by various software and tools. Through a comprehensive integration of these methodologies, the project aims to deliver actionable recommendations that contribute to a meaningful reduction in food waste within the campus dining facilities.

Project 2

"Lessons from the Decline and Fall of a Bronze Age Civilization in the Southern Caucasus." 
Researchers: Dr. Michael Zimmerman and Dr. Misha Elashvili; and student researchers,  Kyle Shea, Maryam Guenoun, and Justin Bennett-Cohen
This work is to reconstruct the Paleoenvironment of the Shiraki Plain, Georgia/Sakartvelo, offers a unique lens through which to view sustainability across time. 
 

Project 1

“Optimizing Microgreen Production While Including Individuals with Disabilities”
Researchers: Drs. Jonathan Roling (Biology) and Jon Cash (EXCEL); and student researchers, Natalie Kosh (Geography), Michael Filaccio (Undecided/EXCEL) and Marshall Fredericksen (Geography/Sustainability).  
Abstract: The purpose of this project is to examine the future growth and benefit of scaling a sustainable microgreen product that would provide agribusiness training to students with intellectual disabilities and autism. By testing small flats of microgreen crops, the student researchers will identify a sustainable model that will allow for the planting, cultivating, harvesting, packaging, marketing, and distributing microgreens to farmers markets and restaurants in the Bridgewater area.

Project 2

“Energy Consumption Analysis for LEED Buildings using Drone Thermal Imagery at BSU”
Researchers: Dr. Boah Kim (Geography) and Dr. Ron Jabara (Aviation); and student researchers: Lindsay Sezen (Archaeology/GIS), Lucas Lantz (Applied Geography / Urban Studies and Planning), Alec McWilliams (Public Archaeology; Indigenous Studies), and Riley DeCorte (Geography). 
Abstract: Globally, buildings consume 36% of total energy and account for 39% of carbon dioxide emissions. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system was created by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2000. Since its beginnings, it has been widely assumed that a LEED building is an energy-efficient structure. Systematic and continuous planning and evaluation of building energy use are critical for assessing building energy efficiency and, eventually, living with climate change and establishing efficient environmental and energy supply and demand strategies. This research aims to analyze energy consumption utilizing a Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping approach and Thermal drone photos to quantify the temperature radiated by a structure, which is required for the building energy rating system at the Bridgewater State University campus.
 

Project 1

“Sustainable Sunlight-Driven Water Treatment with a Choreographic Lens”
Leading Faculty: Drs. Jody Weber (Dance) and Alyssa Deline (Chemical Sciences)
Student Researchers: Ashley Rosenthal; (Dance and Communications- Media Studies); Lauren Gibson (Dance Major, Social Welfare Minor); Mackenzie Cobb (Chemistry) and Alfrid Botros (Chemistry)
Abstract: Overcoming current challenges in global access to clean water will require substantial advancements in both treatment technologies and communication strategies. In this interdisciplinary project, we blend research into new materials for sunlight-driven water treatment with a choreographic performance designed to powerfully communicate this research and its broader implications. Students will collaborate to study the experiences of communities who lack access to clean water, investigate the chemical mechanisms driving this new water treatment technology, and communicate this work in an original dance performance film.
Full Proposal  

Project 2

“The Implications and Impressions of Recycling in Massachusetts; How Local History and Observations can Increase Suitability”
Leading Faculty: Drs. Navid Fozi (Anthropology) and James Hayes-Bohanan
Student Researchers: California Muratore (Major: Cultural Anthropology; Minor: Sustainability) and Victoria Jade Knox (Major: History; Minor: Anthropology, Spanish, Social Studies)
Abstract: Considering the multitude of climate crises evolving daily, many initiatives designed to reduce carbon emissions, CFC emissions, grazing land, deforestation, and pollution have all been enacted in numerous ways. In this research, our group is furthering the imitative of reducing pollution by investigating local recycling habits and their history in the state of Massachusetts. With a later application for international use, our group will be studying how recycling has developed and is maintained, what average people know about the process of landfilling and recycling, how those who recycle manage climate anxiety, and how land use patterns today emulate or differ from Indigenous peoples use. To gather this data, we will travel and make multiple visits to coastal areas and islands, such as New Bedford or Nantucket. In these areas, we will observe recycling habits, discuss recycling and personal sustainability with local populations, tour and investigate local recycling and waste management centers, interview staff at such centers, and potentially discuss land use with Indigenous communities. This team research is following a stint of solo, student-lead research about the potential implementations of recycling on the Pacific Island of Tuvalu. All this data will then be compiled for use in developing a GIS software of Massachusetts recycling facilities, expanding general knowledge about these misconceptions of recycling, and for later use in implementing recycling programs on islands with the potential to address the ongoing issues of climate-driven migration and refugees.
Full Proposal  

Project 1

“Assessing the factors that influence local governments’ adoption of sustainability policies and programs: A case study of Southeastern Massachusetts towns, USA”  by Drs. Yongjun Shin (Communication Studies), Boah Kim (Geography), Melinda R. Tarsi (Political Science), and students: Devin Munroe (Communication Sciences and Disorders), Hayden Doherty (Communications and Elementary Education) and Yvonne Gorski (Marketing, GLBT).
Watch the presentation on YouTube »

Project 2

“Green Campus Initiative: A multidisciplinary partnership for promoting sustainability research through 'green' learning spaces on BSU campus” by Drs. Robert Hellstrom (Geography); John Kucich (English); Margaret Black (Computer Science), and students: Alexandra McGrath (English), Nicole Parent (Biology), Kayla Anger (Social Work) and Nicholas Souza (Computer Science).
Watch the presentation on YouTube »

“Modeling the Global Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans” (2019) by Anna Fateiger (Mathematics).

“Synthesis and Connection of Ir Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst to​ Chlorella vulgaris Photosystem I for Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution”​ (2019) by Anna Ramirez (Chemistry).

“A preliminary investigation into the effectiveness of integrating green & sustainable chemistry and the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the chemistry classroom”​ (2019) by Myrria-Tahisha Lyncee (Chemistry).

“Unvarnished Inhumanity: America’s Farm Animal Industry” (2018) by Kaitlin Rowley (Political Science).

“Mother-Infant Interactions: The Staple of Orangutan learning​” (2018) by Mia Sarksian (Anthropology).

“A preliminary investigation of the qualitative and quantitative exposure of a community of college students to Bisphenol A”​ (2018) by Ashley Berube (Chemistry).

“Synthesis of a Protein Based Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production System​” (2017) by Alexander Brown (Chemistry).

“The Assessment of How Different Matrices in Stationary and Suspended Light Biosand Filters Affect Efficiency at Removing Pathogens from Contaminated  Water” ​(2016) by Carl Ramponi (Biology).

“Extraction of oil and grease contaminants from storm water samples in order to facilitate nutrient testing​” (2015) by David Lewis (Chemistry).