The College of Staten Island is proudly presenting the 2nd Annual Spring 2026 Earth & Environmental Science Speaker Series, organized by Sean Thatcher, Lecturer in the Department of Engineering and Environmental Science and Earth and Ocean Science Coordinator. This exciting academic program continues a now-annual tradition of bringing leading voices in Earth and environmental sciences to campus to share research insights, professional experiences, and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate student engagement.

All events are free, CLUE-certified, and hosted during club hours from 2:30-3:45pm throughout the semester.

The Spring 2026 series has drawn an outstanding lineup of invited speakers whose work spans government, academia, and research institutions. Presentations focus on current scientific inquiry, real-world applications, and pathways into environmental and Earth science careers:

  • February 10 — Mr. Ryan Callaghan, 4N-217, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: “NJDEP and You: What to Expect from a Career with NJDEP” — Explore roles within state environmental stewardship and regulatory work.
  • March 12 — Dr. Jane Alexander, 3N-103, College of Staten Island: “How Can We Use the Rock Record to Learn About Ancient Volcanoes and Earthquakes?” — Dive into geological archives to better understand past Earth processes.
  • April 16 — Dr. Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert, 3N-103, Stockton University: “Measuring Water Circulation in Coastal Bays of New Jersey” — Investigate coastal hydrodynamics and implications for coastal resilience.
  • April 23 — Dr. Meghann Smith, 3N-103, Montclair State University: “From Carbon-Intensive to Material-Intensive Energy Generation: A Life Cycle Perspective on Offshore Wind Trade-Offs” — An interdisciplinary look at renewable energy infrastructure.
  • May 5 — Parisa Setayesh, 3N-103, CUNY Graduate Center: “How Cities Adapt to Flood Risk: Socio-Technical Transitions of Flood Infrastructure in NYC” — Examine the social and technical dynamics of urban adaptation to climate hazards.

Each presentation offers CSI students and the campus community a chance to engage with cutting-edge topics, broaden their scientific perspective, and consider professional and research opportunities in Earth and environmental sciences.

Launched in Spring 2025, the Speaker Series was created to broaden student exposure to interdisciplinary environmental topics and career pathways, fostering connections between academic study, research, and professional practice. Organized annually by Sean Thatcher, the series aims to integrate voices from across the environmental sciences and related fields.

“The goals of the speaker series are to help students understand the diverse array of opportunities within the field of earth and environmental science, encourage awareness of current environmental research, and create a space for our CSI community to come together over shared interests,” said Thatcher. “It’s been exciting to see students engage with our presenters to learn about their work, begin networking with peers and professionals, and identify research and internship opportunities they can apply for to develop a robust resume by the time they graduate from our program.”

Students, faculty, and community members are encouraged to attend these free events to learn about current research, engage with experts, and explore opportunities in environmental science careers and internships.

To learn more about the individual events, visit the Spring Speaker Website.

For more information or to inquire about speaking opportunities, contact Sean Thatcher at sean.thatcher@csi.cuny.edu.