The Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) is dedicated to research and investigations within natural, human, and built systems, as we develop innovative knowledge, products, and solutions to address local, regional, and global issues.
Students: The institute aims to build research skills in students, in order to cultivate well-rounded, critical thinking professionals. ESDRI recognizes the professional and personal importance of students having foundational research and creative skills and knowledge, which is facilitated through a variety of workshops, speakers, service projects, symposia, special events, Q&A sessions, laboratory tours, and more. The institute supports undergraduates – academically and financially – through its Fellowship Program, in hopes of mentoring a new generation of scholars.
Faculty: ESDRI provides many opportunities for faculty to advance their research and facilitates multidisciplinary collaborations, procuring intramural and extramural funding, and working with qualified student researchers. The institute engages a broad range of talented scientists, designers, and practitioners, spanning many academic disciplines, fields, and programs. The institute proudly hosts an annual symposium/forum, with an ever-evolving theme, which draws from KSU faculty, students, and many of our community partners.
Colleges represented within ESDRI include:
- Aeronautics and Engineering
- Applied and Technical Studies
- Architecture and Environmental Design
- The Arts
- Arts and Sciences
- Education, Health and Human Services
- Nursing
- Public Health
By empowering environmental research, the institute aims to foster change by drawing from robust, well-informed science and design or extrapolating on the research ourselves. ESDRI encourages students, faculty, and the greater community to understand and leverage the interacting geological, biological, human, economical, cultural, and social systems around us. These overlapping systems impact and regulate the availability of resources (e.g. pure water, clean air, and food), sustain diversity of life on Earth, promote well-being, and affect all of us in our daily life.
Environmental Science and Design Research Institute/We acknowledge that the lands of ºÚÁÏÍø were the previous homes of people who were removed from this area without their consent by the colonial practices of the United States government. Before removal, these groups created networks that extended from Wyoming to the Florida Coast and Appalachia and to the northern reaches of Lake Superior. These societies included people of the Shawnee, Seneca-Cayuga, Delaware, Wyandots, Ottawa and Miami. We honor their lives – past, present, and future – and strive to move beyond remembrance toward reflection and responsibility, through honest accounts of the past and the development of cultural knowledge and community.
![Myron Lard](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/240723-east-palestine_RD-00227.jpg?VersionId=N1fQdj2grHQRqfLUqkhbIGH08WQn0ay0&itok=CEJS1oKA)
Myron Lard grew up just 40 miles from the East Palestine derailment site. He returned to help the community understand the impact.
![Sangeet Lamichhaney, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, conducted fieldwork in the western Himalayas in May 2024 Sangeet Lamichhaney, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, conducted fieldwork in the western Himalayas in May 2024](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/13.2.png?VersionId=2L9WgZwiJ0v4tg6p5gj2iU2GKQ_bm6W6&itok=hz5JKelL)
A Kent State faculty researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences has launched a pioneering study to explore how different species adapt to high-altitude environments in the Himalayas where oxygen levels are significantly lower. This research could have significant implications for understanding hypoxia-related conditions in humans.
![Research ship in the Arctic](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/allyson%20tessin%20story.jpg?VersionId=vMprEIxlNjPRqnhEEre5dKGK.tOcANcJ&h=1c9b88c9&itok=7-tmlRm4)
Each year the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) hosts a competitive request for proposals which are reviewed by an interdisciplinary panel, awarding
![ESDRI fellows meeting](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/fellows%20meeting.jpg?VersionId=fo0r4N87BMA19lUwCw9sKk7JOnFhy5Dq&itok=Gh1Npmxh)
The Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) supports students through their fellowship program.
![(from left to right) Reid Coffman, Katherine Manning, and Christie Bahlai (from left to right) Reid Coffman, Katherine Manning, and Christie Bahlai](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Coffman-Manning-Bahlai.jpg?VersionId=ayX99dFi2YHwuYyPATBMiLHx0Tm.3kU.&itok=Do8OQUTF)
The work of a ºÚÁÏÍø Biological Sciences doctoral graduate recently received recognition from green roof experts from across North America who are looking to address contemporary environmental challenges, especially in urb
![tree rings (photo courtesy of Motion Array) tree rings (photo courtesy of Motion Array)](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Wood-cut-background-1061459.jpg?VersionId=1_opKCzGcFs0btXHn1oYxsRhemWVK8SI&itok=JR7Myz7K)
What are the main factors that either inhibit or promote growth in trees? Traditionally, scientists primarily looked at temperature and precipitation.
![Dorceta Taylor ESDRI Symposium Keynote Speaker Dorceta Taylor ESDRI Symposium Keynote Speaker](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/esdri%20symposium-0260.jpg?VersionId=KvcINgoi7eNZvVx9jJKIkgB0ebcJl7rP&h=4a4d9694&itok=4gUG-Jvg)
![Tabitha Ludwiczak, who worked extensively on the project, graduated with a BS in Zoology in Spring 2022 Tabitha Ludwiczak, who worked extensively on the project, graduated with a BS in Zoology in Spring 2022](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/1500wide_0.jpg?VersionId=27OwZp2BjApm1YhP_MIjP474ZqDNcC.C&h=e6f36a9c&itok=oJc8Mj30)
When driving in the rain, it is unlikely that you have thought much about how the environment is affected, let alone how nearby aquatic sources are impacted.
![A close-up shot of a bee on a flower in the Beyer-Murin Gardens on the Kent Campus. Photo by Robert Christy A close-up shot of a bee on a flower in the Beyer-Murin Gardens on the Kent Campus. Photo by Robert Christy](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/20220920_BC_Bee_1500x600_0.jpg?VersionId=WWjKH_Uv2WOkb2L093cTiCdTcbtwSEHp&h=e6f36a9c&itok=etjCGOu7)
Over half of the described species in the world are insects. Although many people think of insects as pests, they play vital roles and have a big impact on our invaluable ecosystems, as pollinators, helping break down wastes, and as an essential food source for many other organisms.