In addition to a $3,500 award, recipients receive membership in NJSWEP, providing valuable opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and networking within the environmental industry.

Oluwaseun’s selection reflects her dedication to environmental scholarship and her promise as an emerging leader in the field. Her work contributes to the broader mission of advancing sustainable solutions and fostering inclusive pathways into environmental careers.

The scholarship recipients will be formally recognized at the NJSWEP 18th Annual Gala in June 2026.

The ERI scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student whose academic focus aligns with the mission of ERI in areas such as civil and environmental engineering, GIS, land use planning, and related fields. Scholarship winner is chosen through a competitive screening process that considers recommendation letters, a written essay, and academic performance.

Using complex geophysical analysis, machine learning and environmental risk assessment models, Shahnul’s study focuses on assessing the ecological and human health concerns associated with the toxicity of environmental heavy metals. His efforts enhance the stability and health of the urban environment.

The Scholarship Committee, Principals and Partners of Environmental Resolutions, Inc., had the opportunity to learn about Shahnul’s research and career goals at the formal award ceremony held at the ERI offices in South Jersey in August.

The TLCNJ scholarship panel praised his impressive combination of academic excellence and extracurricular achievements following a thorough evaluation of his essay, resume, and interview performance. The panel expressed excitement about his potential contributions to the environmental field.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey has awarded scholarships totaling over $400,000 since the program’s inception in 1985, supporting exceptional students pursuing careers in environmental fields and related disciplines. The scholarship program reflects the conservancy’s broader commitment to preserving, restoring, and caring for natural resources while inspiring communities to protect open space.

Odera’s recognition acknowledges ����vlog’s continued excellence in environmental science education and research, particularly in addressing real-world challenges facing the nation.

The NJWEA, a venerable organization with over a century of unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s precious drinking water, environment, and public health, provided the ideal stage for Odera to showcase his work. As the nation grapples with increasingly complex water quality issues, Odera’s research is more vital than ever. His dedication and passion for finding solutions to these pressing problems have positioned him as a rising star in the field, making him a source of immense pride for all those who have supported his journey.

Founded in 1984 as one of the first regional chapters of SETAC North America, HDC-SETAC brings together environmental scientists to share research and educate on current issues through annual meetings and workshops. Odera’s innovative and compelling research outputs impressed the judges with its novel approach and potential impact on environmental science and toxicology, exemplifying the scientific excellence HDC-SETAC fosters.

This prestigious award recognizes Odera’s hard work, expertise, and dedication to advancing understanding of critical environmental challenges in the United States. His research provides valuable insights into PFAS contamination patterns and hotspots across New Jersey.

Requirements for Anchor QEA Scholarship

• An inclusive mindset and the belief that everyone’s unique perspective deserves to be heard
• A commitment to giving back to their community and the environment
• Full-time student status (current or soon-to-be) at a school in the United States
• A demonstrated financial need
• A passion for engineering, environmental sciences, planning and restoration, technology and innovation, or a related technical field

Qiufeng’s research interest is innovative water treatment and water reuse technologies for tackling water pollution challenges and enhancing water supply in response to climate change. Currently, she is working as a key member in a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) project with Egyptian experts to develop resilient water reuse systems to combat agricultural drought.

Odera’s captivating presentation on the statewide occurrence and spatial distribution of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in New Jersey groundwater systems under the supervision of Dr. Duke Ophori left a lasting impression on the judges and his fellow participants. Odera is diligently pursuing cutting-edge research on the silent invasion of PFAS into groundwater systems. His work is driven by a passion for developing sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by PFAS in New Jersey ground- and drinking water systems. The recognition bestowed upon him by the NJWEA is a testament to his exceptional abilities as a researcher and his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the field of water resources management.

With both AMAs and general discussion forums, there is an art to making sure that information is communicated effectively and succinctly.

We’re trying to keep it as scientific as possible, but in layman’s terms, so that non-scientists can understand cutting-edge science that’s coming out right now

Nathan Allen, a synthetic chemist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a former moderator at r/science, likens it to writing a persuasive e-mail. “On Reddit, you have got to convince the general public that this has some general interest to them, and you’ve got to develop it and build the message and make sure people stay on point,” he says. “You get a lot of practice writing concise explanations of complicated things that people who aren’t necessarily scientists are able to digest and understand.”

When using Reddit in any capacity, Zimmerman encourages scientists to make sure to read the rules before making a post or comment, and to mind their manners, just as they would on any other social-media platform. “Be polite,” she says. “Just because you’re an anonymous username doesn’t mean you should be rude to other people.”

Jennifer Cole, a biologist and anthropologist at Royal Holloway University of London, notes that using Reddit for scientific communication is not without its problems. Moderators do a lot of work behind the scenes and often face a torrent of abuse for trying to maintain standards, says Cole. And although using people’s real names can help with credibility, it can also make academics and experts targets for harassment and abuse. Although the site does not provide support for users who experience abuse, a spokesperson for Reddit noted that the platform has policies to prohibit both harassment and the sharing of personal or confidential information, and that these policies are enforced by the internal safety teams.

It can also be used to spread falsehoods. R/conspiracy has repeatedly posted misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines. Climate deniers are also present on the platform, although a decade ago the science forum specifically banned climate change deniers. Asked about misinformation, the Reddit spokesperson said that because Reddit is governed by upvotes and downvotes, quality and accurate information tend to rise to the top.

Interviewees agree that Reddit is at its core a social media platform, and social media has the potential to be toxic. But when scientists engage, there’s also a lot of great scientific communication and debunking of misinformation.

Don’t be afraid to talk to the people. Those who are not scientists are just as curious as we are. There’s nothing special about being a scientist. We are like everybody else, and sometimes folks forget that.