Research
Several faculty members across campus are either currently performing or have performed
research concerning the environment. Others are also currently working in environmental
related fields and have published work on the subject.
Chemistry
Dr. Elizabeth Dahl
Dr. Dahl is currently working on a study of alkyl nitrates in the oceans and water in general. Her work has primarily focused on how variability in organic matter can affect alkyl nitrate speciation and investigating whether cultures of marine diatoms produce alkyl nitrates. For a more detailed description of Dr. Dahl’s work, or to learn more about her previous projects, go to her research group website.
Communication
Dr. Kevin Atticks
Dr. Atticks is not currently performing research in the field, though he is interested in a number of environmental projects, including environmental journalism. He directs a publishing house at Loyola called Apprentice House and they are launching a writing competition which will lead to a series of books about local agriculture and how it impacts Maryland.
Engineering
Dr. Suzanne Keilson
Dr. Keilson works in environmental sustainability and engineering at Loyola University Maryland and is the Associate Dean of Loyola College. She is presenting a talk titled “The Compatibility of Sustainability Education and Career Focused Education in Materials” at the North American Materials Education Symposium. Visit the conference website to view the program.
Fine Arts
Mary Beth Akre
Professor Akre’s last sabbatical art show addressed rampant housing developments that are destroying the rural landscape. Below, you will find images from that show and a brief explanation of each piece.
The tree limbs on the floor symbolize the first step when starting a new development – bulldozing all ecosystems.
The gas station pictured was once a field of plants and small trees. It is now a parking lot with a giant gas station and store.
Showing the series of development images.
Janet Maher
Professor Maher’s interest in preservation and caring for our shared environment has long figured into her practice as a studio artist and as a teacher. Whether searching for non-toxic printmaking methods to replace those she learned as an art student many years ago, through the economic use of raw materials or recycling previously generated and found materials in collage and assemblage projects, her goal is to keep as minimal an ecological footprint as possible. She avoids materials that require solvents for clean-up that will either harm the environment or are dangerous to breathe. Professor Maher believes that we are microcosms of the global macrocosm and that we need to be mindful of how and what we create. Awareness and care for ourselves and our immediate communities will ultimately support larger communities.
For images of her art, please visit www.janetmaher.com.
History
Fr. Charles Borges
Fr. Borges teaches Indian and South Asian history and keenly follows developmental works in the Indian subcontinent and how they impact local populations.
Dr. Matthew Mulcahy
Much of Dr. Mulcahy’s research focuses on natural disasters and their social impact. He is currently working on a broad survey of various hazards (earthquakes, hurricanes, drought, blight) that struck the Caribbean region in the early modern period. He has also published work on hurricanes and earthquakes in colonial America.
