UW-Green Bay senior earns $50K EPA research fellowship

post-story-nielsenUW-Green Bay senior Robyn Nielsen is the University’s first-ever recipient of a Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowship from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Nielsen, who is double-majoring in Environmental Policy and Planning and Environmental Science, recently received final notification of the $50,000 fellowship, which provides up to $20,700 per year of academic support for the student’s junior and senior years and $8,600 for an internship at an EPA facility in the summer between the student’s junior and senior years.

The GRO Fellowship is designed to enhance and support quality environmental education for undergraduate students enrolled in an environmentally related field. It is designed to encourage undergraduates in environmentally related fields to continue their education beyond the baccalaureate level and pursue careers in fields that address environmental problems and issues.

Nielsen’s strong organic agricultural background has steered her toward a career working with agriculture and sustainability, she said. Growing up on a non-commercial dairy farm in Newton, Wis. has increased Nielsen’s awareness of some of the challenges farmers face when dealing with nonpoint source pollution.

Nielsen’s interests include zero waste, resource recovery and recycling, as well as alternative agriculture practices. Along with her fellowship, she will receive a paid internship with the EPA in the summer of 2015. The prospect of working with the EPA is exciting for Nielsen.

“I am not sure where I will be working, or what kind of work I will be doing,” Nielsen said, “but I can’t wait for this excellent opportunity.”

#14-140

You may also like...