Spring greetings from Ruth and Wayne, your resident aquatic toxicologist and risk assessor at Western Washington University.
Thank you for fully funding our Vikingfunder project for undergraduate research in environmental toxicology earlier this year. We were overwhelmed and overjoyed by the outpouring of support by alumni and supporters who believe that our graduates will help solve the world's most pressing environmental problems.
Over the years we’ve worked with many amazing undergraduate students who are now making a difference in the world. It’s not only the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and technical writing that we taught students in the classroom, but the other experiences our students had that led them to careers where they make that difference. PNW-SETAC conferences, PNWIS-AWMA Environmental Challenges, and research with Ruth or Wayne are some of the crucial student experiences in the environmental toxicology emphasis at WWU.
Over the years, research has become more challenging. Internal support and external funding are more limited, and curriculum changes mean students don’t have to do 10 credits of thesis/project/internship (the new requirement is 5 credits).
We are seizing WWU Give Day as an opportunity to continue raising much needed support for our undergraduates doing independent research. It will pay for lab supplies, stipends, and travel to conferences to present their work. You are all part of a legacy that we want to ensure continues. Thank you!
