EXPERT ADVISORY: 18 April 2023 – R0031

As Earth Day approaches on Saturday, April 22, Brock University researchers whose work explores climate change, sustainability and the environment through different disciplines are available to share their expertise.

Associate Professor of Engineering Amir Mofidi’s research promotes sustainability in construction, including both new and existing structures. His work looks at extending the life of buildings, reducing carbon emissions linked to use of concrete and steel in new builds, and using engineered bamboo-based structural material as a highly renewable option for the future.

Research by Brad Millington, Associate Professor of Sport Management, examines the connections between sport and environmental sustainability. His work has focused on topics such as sport’s environmental impacts and corporate environmentalism in the sport industry, including the golf industry’s attempt to ‘green’ the sport and address environmental concerns.

The work of Professor of Biology Liette Vasseur, who is also UNESCO Chair on Community Sustainability: From Local to Global, connects issues such as community-based ecosystem management, climate change adaptation and resilience, sustainable agriculture and rural communities. She is also available to speak to climate literacy and action, and biodiversity through conservation and restoration.

Through his research, Garrett Hutson, Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, explores the social-ecological significance of outdoor experiences to the study of sustainability and society by examining the ways outdoor programs help people form relationships to nature. His recent work looks at drivers of pro-environmental intentions in outdoor programs, such as coming face-to-face with environmental change due to a warming climate.

Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Jim Willwerth studies how environmental conditions impact overwintering and cold hardiness physiology of grapevines. The Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute Researcher and his team are evaluating grapevine material and new ways to mitigate climate change effects.

Assistant Professor of Physics Jasneet Kaur, who is cross-appointed to Brock’s Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering, specializes in sustainable nanoengineered materials for clean energy technologies. Her work focuses on the design, synthesis, engineering and characterization of these materials and their applications in clean energy storage and conversion devices, smart coatings and water treatment technologies.

Brock University Associate Professor of Engineering Amir Mofidi, Associate Professor of Sport Management Brad Millington, Professor of Biology Liette Vasseur, Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Garrett Hutson, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Jim Willwerth and Assistant Professor of Physics Jasneet Kaur are available for media interviews on these topic.

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

* Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209

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