The National Science Foundation established the Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology to provide Federal support for minority-serving institutions to create centers that integrate education and research. We address the sources, transport, transformation and ecosystem responses to man-made and natural stressors in South Florida’s aquatic environments. Awarded in 2016, we are one of less than 30 CREST centers funded by NSF.
Housed in the Freshwater Resources Division, which falls under the larger Institute of Environment at FIU, we integrate undergraduate and graduate programs across ten departments and four colleges at the University, from Biology and Chemistry to Computer Science and Public Health. We will create opportunities for FIU students – 75% of whom are historically underrepresented minorities – to experience authentic, innovative and socially-relevant research, and foster their development as future professionals in STEM fields.