The 10th Annual Interfaces of Global Change (IGC) Graduate Research Symposium took place on April 18, 2025, at the Moss Arts Center. The event brought together more than 125 graduate fellows, faculty, and postdoctoral affiliates from across the Global Change Center community for a day filled with thoughtful conversation and impressive research. The quality of student presentations stood out once again—highlighting the creativity, depth, and interdisciplinary focus that have become hallmarks of the IGC program. From climate change and pollution to disease, biodiversity loss, and invasive species, the research showcased the wide range of issues our students are tackling through collaboration and innovation.

Collage of three images from IGC Symposium. The left image shows groups of people sitting at round tables in a bright hallway, eating and talking. The top right image captures a moment of celebration during the reception, where Dr. Bill Hopkins hugs Dr. Karen DePauw while two attendees applaud and smile nearby. The bottom right image shows a group of people gathered around research posters, engaged in conversation in a sunlit space.
The day offered ample opportunities for GCC affiliates and IGC fellows to celebrate and connect with one another.

A Full Day of Insight and Connection

The day started with coffee, snacks, and easy conversation as attendees filtered into the Cube at the Moss Arts Center. Dr. Bill Hopkins, Director of the IGC IGEP, welcomed everyone and set the tone for the day ahead.

What followed was a full schedule of platform presentations, poster sessions, and plenty of opportunity to reconnect. Platform presentations took place in the Cube, with research covering a range of environmental and societal issues. In between, attendees explored student posters in the Fife Lobbies, where conversations sparked over everything from disease ecology to biodiversity.

Collage of four images from IGC Symposium. The top left image shows five individuals standing on stage during their capstone presentation, with a screen behind them displaying a logo. The bottom left image captures a busy poster session in a bright hallway, with participants discussing research in front of large display boards. The top right image shows three people chatting and smiling in a hallway during a poster session. The bottom right image depicts a seated audience in a dark auditorium listening to the keynote speaker who is presenting slides.
From thought-provoking platform talks in the Cube to buzzing poster sessions in the Fife Lobbies. Students, faculty, and guests came together to exchange research, ask big questions, and celebrate interdisciplinary collaboration.

Levity, Lessons, and Lasting Advice from Dr. Corey Welch

This year’s keynote was delivered by Dr. Corey Welch, Director of the STEM Scholars Program at Iowa State University. His talk, titled “Surviving a Zombie Attack: Advice for Graduate Students in Uncertain Times,” brought levity and wisdom in equal measure. Drawing from his background and leadership experience in STEM equity, Dr. Welch shared deeply personal and strategic guidance for navigating academic and professional challenges.

The talk resonated with students navigating the uncertainties of research careers, sparking laughter, reflection, and an engaging Q&A session that left a lasting impression.

Two images from Dr. Corey Welch Keynote. The top image shows rows of attendees listening to Dr. Corey Welch's keynote. The bottom image shows attendees during the Q&A session.
Dr. Corey Welch’s keynote sparked lively engagement, with students asking thoughtful questions and leaving inspired by his insights and humor.

A Toast to the Future

The evening concluded with a lively reception where students, faculty, and guests enjoyed drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and celebration. Luke Goodman, President of the IGC Graduate Student Organization, announced the poster award winners, while Dr. Hopkins presented the platform awards. The reception was made even more meaningful with spontaneous remarks from Dr. Karen DePauw, whose visionary leadership played a foundational role in establishing the IGC IGEP.

A collage of three images from the IGC Symposium reception. The top image shows a group of attendees standing in a line, smiling, clapping, and holding drinks in a well-lit room with large windows. The bottom left image features people serving themselves from a buffet-style table with a colorful array of food. The bottom right image shows small groups of attendees holding plates and drinks, engaged in conversation and enjoying the food.
Attendees gathered to celebrate the day’s achievements, as awards were presented and heartfelt reflections were shared during a lively reception.

Honoring Excellence: Student Research Awards

 

Peer-Awarded Poster Presentation Awards

For the first time in IGC symposium history, a three-way tie for first place emerged, a testament to the exceptional quality of this year’s posters.

IGC IGEP Director Dr. Bill Hopkins stands with poster award winners Bridget Re, Casey McLaughlin, and Eliza Tarimo.
IGC IGEP Director Dr. Bill Hopkins stands with poster award winners Bridget Re, Casey McLaughlin, and Eliza Tarimo.

Bridget Re, Fish and Wildlife Conservation 

Title: Estimating causes of nest failure in the southern breeding population of Saltmarsh Sparrows

 

Casey McLaughlin, Biological Sciences

Title: Sublethal lead (Pb) exposure impacts gene expression in the brain of developing songbirds

 

Eliza Tarimo, Biological Sciences

Title: Using Phylogenetics to Predict Bat Species Susceptibility to White-Nose Syndrome

 

Platform Presentation Awards

Selected by a panel of faculty judges, the top three presentations were awarded, culminating in the prestigious Karen P. DePauw Outstanding Interdisciplinary Presentation Award.

Dr. Karen DePauw and Dr. Bill Hopkins with platform award winners Taylor Fossett, Jordan Coscia, and Brendan Shea.
Dr. Karen DePauw and Dr. Bill Hopkins with platform award winners Taylor Fossett, Jordan Coscia, and Brendan Shea.

First Place & recipient of the 2025 Karen P. DePauw Outstanding Interdisciplinary Presentation Award

Jordan Coscia, Plant and Environmental Sciences

Title: Working and Restored Grasslands Incompletely Conserve Native Plant Biodiversity in Northern Virginia

 

Second Place

Taylor Fossett, Biological Sciences

Title: Neural correlates of increased aggression in an urban songbird: A focus on arginine vasotocin

 

Third Place

Brendan Shea, Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Title: Rethinking the relationship between home range and body size: evaluating the ontogenetic variation in space use in large mobile marine predators

A Decade of Impact and Counting

The annual IGC symposium continues to strengthen connections across disciplines, inspire new collaborations, and showcase the brilliance of IGC fellows. Some of the collaborations seeded here have led to impactful publications and partnerships. 

The 2025 event reaffirmed that the future of global change science is in capable, creative, and passionate hands. Here’s to another decade of innovation, impact, and interdisciplinary discovery.

IGC Graduate Symposium 2025