UMES announces renewed partnership with EPA

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – UMES has announced its renewed partnership with the EPA, Maryland Coastal Bays and other state agencies.

We’re told this renewed five-year partnership helps to further the school’s commitment to environmental solutions here locally.

Through this program, students at UMES have the opportunity to visit with scientists at the EPA and do collaborative research, especially in Maryland’s coastal bays.

Projects include coastal bay ecosystems, nutrient enrichment impacts on the ecosystem, fish habitats, and more.

“It is important, especially with regards to training students and also in engaging in some restoration projects,” said UMES professor Dr. Paulinus Chigue.

“It’s vital to my project, because I work closely with the DNR.  And so I basically help them with their biological surveys, and in turn, I get to collect my samples for my research,” said graduate research student Veronica Pereira.

This is part of the EPA’s Minority Academic Institutions Program to increase opportunities for Minority Academic Institutions to participate in federal programs.

The EPA works with these schools to increase participation and develop the diverse talent pool in the United States.