Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Toledo

05/06/2026

Congrats David! Well-deserved award and recognition! 🥳

05/04/2026

We are SO proud of you Caleb! Congratulations on your amazing achievements and honors! 🥳🥳

05/04/2026

Great work, Bill! Well-deserved media coverage!

From classroom to coast-to-coast headlines 🐟🌎

At The University of Toledo, you don’t just study science—you help shape it!

Research led by Dr. Bill Hintz, Department of Environmental Sciences, is gaining national and global attention, with 38+ media placements highlighting how invasive goldfish are reshaping freshwater ecosystems. A new study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology shows invasive goldfish can rapidly disrupt freshwater ecosystems—hurting water quality and native species across the food web.

📺 Featured on major outlets like FOX Weather and Spectrum News
📰 Picked up by Yahoo News, MSN and more
🌍 Reaching audiences across the U.S. and around the world

“People often think of goldfish as harmless pets, but when they’re released into the wild, they can dramatically alter ecosystems,” said Hintz. “Understanding these impacts is critical—and it’s exactly the kind of hands-on research our students are part of every day.”

We’re proud to see the amazing research taking place in the UToledo College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics reaching audiences near and far—and helping people understand why “releasing a pet” can have real environmental consequences.

This is the kind of real-world impact you can be part of as a student at UToledo—working alongside faculty, contributing to meaningful discoveries and seeing your work reach far beyond campus!

🔗 Read the full UTNews article: bit.ly/4d3O0YR

The University of Toledo Office of Research University of Toledo Lake Erie Center The University of Toledo Undergraduate Admission

02/20/2026

Congrats Song! Well deserved recognition! 🥳🥳🥳

Huge congratulations to Dr. Song Qian, Department of Environmental Sciences at The University of Toledo, on his recent recognition, “2025 NOAA Research Outstanding Scientific Paper of the Year”! 🥳

Dr. Qian and team received one of eight awards presented in 2025 for his collaborative research project, “Seasonal overturn and stratification changes drive peep-water warming in one of Earth’s largest lakes”, published in Nature Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21971-1

Annually, OAR recognizes several significant scientific publications and the OAR employees and affiliate authors for their wide-reaching impacts. These publications were deemed to be among the most original, important, useful and best written.

Congratulations to all of the authors on this publication: Eric J. Anderson1, Craig A. Stow1, Andrew D. Gronewold2, Lacey A. Mason1, Michael J. McCormick1, Song S. Qian3, Steven A. Ruberg1, Kyle Beadle1, Stephen A. Constant1 and Nathan Hawley1.

1 Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 2 School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 3 Department of Environmental Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) The University of Toledo Office of Research The University of Toledo College of Graduate Studies The University of Toledo Alumni Association

02/18/2026

Rocket Forward Day of Giving is here!

Every gift matters! Dean Seigar has issued a challenge to get 20 donors to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Progress Fund! If done, it will unlock a $1,000 gift! Help grow the fund and make advancements in research and student support!

Make your gift: bit.ly/46UriA0

01/29/2026

Congrats Brett! 🥳🥳

🎓🌿 Rocket Spotlight: Brett P***k’s Journey From Uncertainty to Purpose 🚀

Meet Brett P***k, a soon-to-be graduate who found his true passion at The University of Toledo! After starting his college journey at UMich studying psychology and neuroscience, Brett realized he needed a change — one that aligned with his love for nature. 🌎💚

When the pandemic hit, Brett struggled with online learning and took time to reflect. That pause led him to UToledo and ultimately to a major in Environmental Science — and he hasn’t looked back since. 🌱

“The first time I really felt at home on campus was during my GUTS volunteer work. Getting to work with other students outside… I felt comfortable here for the first time.” — Brett P***k, Department of Environmental Sciences 🌿

Through hands-on involvement with Greening UToledo Through Service Learning (GUTS) program, Brett discovered where he truly belonged — getting outside, getting his hands dirty and working alongside peers who share his commitment to sustainability and conservation. 🌻🌳

📍 What’s next?
Graduating in May, Brett’s work experience with GUTS and on campus has led him to exciting opportunities with Toledo Metroparks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources — proof that following your passion can lead to real impact! ✨

👏 Drop a 💙 to cheer Brett on as he takes the next step toward protecting our environment!

Full story: bit.ly/4k6vouv

The University of Toledo Undergraduate Admission The University of Toledo Alumni Association

01/29/2026

Call for Judges! Regional Science Day at UToledo!

Volunteer Judges needed for Regional Science Day at UToledo!

The University of Toledo is proud to host Regional Science Day at UToledo, The Ohio Academy of Science regional science fair for students in grades 5-12 in schools located in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Williams and Wood counties on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Tentative schedule for the day:
Judges arrive: 8-8:30am
Judging begins: 9am
Lunch/Public Viewing: 1-2pm
Awards ceremony: 2pm

Each year, thousands of Ohio students complete independent research projects. These students present their research at local and then district level, and the highest-rated projects go on to compete at . This event is the high-point of student-based scientific-research!

Volunteer judges are needed to make this day a success! Prior judging experience is not required.

To register and for more information, go to: https://partner.projectboard.world/oas/judge Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Toledo UToledo Physics and Astronomy University of Toledo Department of Biological Sciences Mathematics & Statistics The University of Toledo Alumni Association UToledo Stranahan Arboretum University of Toledo Lake Erie Center

11/17/2025

Congrats Scott!

Dr. Scott Heckathorn, Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, has received an award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funding supports the project titled: “Investigating effects of algal toxins plus environmental stress on plants.” Dr. Heckathorn's team in this project includes graduate students, Clare Muller (PhD) and Anisha Dhakal (MS).

Dr. Heckathorn's Bio: https://www.utoledo.edu/nsm/envsciences/faculty/heckathorn

UToledo College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

11/17/2025

REMINDER: UToledo-Salford Exchange Program Info Session on Wed., Nov. 5th

Interested in Studying Abroad your FULL junior year, while exploring Europe?

We are still recruiting students to attend The University of Salford (Manchester, England) for the 2026-2027 academic year!

The University of Toledo-Salford Exchange program allows Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geography and Physics majors the opportunity to gain a unique educational and cultural experience by studying at The University of Salford, England, for one full-year (junior year) of your degree program!

Join us at one of the upcoming info sessions to learn more:

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 3-4 p.m.
or
Friday, Nov. 21, 3-4 p.m.

ALL info sessions will be held in Wolfe Hall, room #2243.

Anyone interested is welcome to attend!

More info about the program: bit.ly/42raMnF

Contact Dr. Brian Ashburner, program director, with any questions: [email protected]


Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Toledo UT CISP UToledo Physics and Astronomy UToledo Stranahan Arboretum University of Toledo Lake Erie Center

11/17/2025

So proud of you all! Great work!