Appalachian Lab Monthly Newsletter
Celebrating the 2026 Inspiration Award: Thelma Louise Grogg
As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators, AL is proud to recognize Thelma Louise Grogg as this year’s recipient of the Inspiration Award. Launched in 2022 to commemorate our lab’s 60th anniversary, this award highlights individuals and organizations in our region that exemplify our dedication to promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
For over 34 years, Thelma has been a passionate educator, currently teaching 5th-grade science and 8th-grade computer applications at Frankfort Middle School. She inspires her students to engage with STEM through hands-on experiences, focusing on building curiosity, problem-solving skills, and confidence in technology.
Beyond the classroom, Thelma actively coaches FIRST® LEGO® League teams and leads Girls Who Code Clubs, providing students with opportunities to tackle engineering and coding challenges while fostering teamwork and creativity. Her dedication to helping students, especially those who may not initially see themselves in STEM fields, reflects her belief in the transformative power of education.
With a permanent West Virginia teaching license and two master’s degrees, Thelma is committed to her professional growth. Her diverse experience as a Technology Coordinator and educational technology trainer has enhanced her ability to integrate technology into effective teaching strategies.
Thelma’s unwavering belief in the potential of students in Appalachian communities drives her mission: to inspire exploration, innovation, and confidence in every student she encounters. Join us in celebrating her remarkable contributions to STEM education in our region!
Thelma and her accomplishments will be celebrated here at AL on Thursday, June 4th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 26th.
Recent Achievements/Activities/Successes
Many Congratulations to Doctors DeGroote and Wang!
We want to wish heartfelt congratulations for jobs well done to two AL students who recently successfully defended their Ph.D. dissertations. We wish you both the best of luck in your future professional endeavors!
In March, Luke DeGroote successfully defended his research on better understanding bird migration. His research on bird-glass interactions helped inform the window covers we use here at AL to mitigate bird-window collisions that was featured in the June 2024 AL Newsletter. Luke will be returning in a full-time capacity to the Avian Research Center at Powdermill Nature Reserve. Here are some photos from Luke’s defense:
In April, Yanyu Wang successfully defended her dissertation on sustainable nitrogen management both in the US and globally. She will be starting a postdoctoral appointment at Georgetown University in the coming weeks. Here are some photos from Yanyu’s defense:
A Celebration of 40 Years of Joint Venture Partnerships
In February, the Association of Joint Venture Management Boards (AJVMB), Ducks Unlimited, American Bird Conservancy, and National Audubon Society hosted a reception in Washington, DC to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the North American Migratory Bird Joint Ventures. More than 200 stakeholders gathered to celebrate this milestone and AL student, Liz Brewer played a huge role in organizing and hosting this important celebration. Here are some photos from the event:
Canal Cleanup
On April 11th, members of the Al Community pitched in for the second year in a row to pick up trash along the C&O Canal Towpath near Cumberland. Many thanks to everyone who pitched in to help! Here are some photos from the event:
Upcoming Sabbaticals for Emily and Xin
Emily Cohen was recently awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to support a sabbatical this fall in Lund, Sweden where she will be working with other scientists who specialize in the airspace niche of migration ecology. She will also be learning how to operate a new mobile radar system acquired with support from TALIN to further enhance her research program
Xin Zhang has received funding from the Villum Foundation to take a sabbatical this fall in Denmark, where she will be expanding her work on agroecology and sustainable nutrient management. She is hoping to enhance connections between the European Union and NICCEE.
A group of AL’ers, including former interns, recently traveled to Washington, DC to catch the cherry blossoms (photo at right).
DEI Update
What is DEI?
The AL DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) group wants to raise awareness of what DEI is and why it’s relevant to you. This semester’s theme is “What is DEI?”
This month, we want to highlight activities focused on outreach and education within and beyond the AL community.
At AL, a core goal of our DEI activities is to connect with folks and communities who are often excluded from, ignored by, or even distrustful of science1.
1Want to learn more? Here are some examples of the research behind these statements.
So what does DEI look like here at AL?
The AL summer internship program partners with local universities to offer professional opportunities to students living in the rural western Maryland region.
The AL DEI group tables at local PRIDE events to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
AL participates in the STEM Like a Girl event, which engages with local K-12 aged students to get them interested in science and related fields.
Questions, comments, concerns? Fill out our anonymous feedback form!
Admin Update - Fleet Vehicle Training
We have developed a new online Fleet Vehicle Training course to help get everyone up to speed on fleet vehicle policies and procedures. It will be hosted through Workday Learning and will be required for anyone who would like to use any vehicles from our fleet beginning in fiscal year 2027 (July 1st, 2026). When it has been assigned, you will receive successful enrollment email notifications email for the following course:
UMCES/AL: Fleet Vehicle Training (Digital).
To access the course, login to Workday, click the “Menu” button in the top left corner of the Workday interface and select “Learning”:
The newly assigned course will appear under the “Continue Learning” section as shown below:
Click on the course title to get started. Please note that if you have onboarded here since October 1st, 2025 you won’t need to complete this training because it was already assigned to you.
Your first step to become an approved fleet vehicle driver is to submit either a copy of your Maryland driver’s license or a copy of your driving record.
Please note that you must be at least 18 years of age and possess driver’s license valid in the state of Maryland with fewer than 6 points for moving violations.
Make sure that you have the files that you need ready to upload now. If you have a Maryland driver’s license, please take a photo of the front of your license. If you don’t have a Maryland driver’s license, please obtain a digital copy of your driving record.
If you have no plans to use a fleet vehicle while you are at AL, you do NOT have to complete this training. Just keep in mind that if your plans change, you will need to complete the training before you can take a vehicle.
Spotlight on Safety
Make a Difference by Joining AL's Safety Committee
Are you interested in creating a safe work environment? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join the AL Safety Committee! This is a fantastic opportunity to not only contribute your insights, but to also enhance your CV by showcasing your commitment both to safety and professional development. All perspectives are welcome, including faculty, FRAs, student’s and postdocs.
Don’t worry about a hefty time commitment! As a committee member, you’ll primarily serve as an advisor, with our dedicated Safety Officer handling the heavy lifting. Your involvement can help shape our safety initiatives while fitting seamlessly into your schedule.
Help us prioritize safety and make a lasting impact! If you’re interested, drop an email to Katie Kline.
Digital Accessibility - Meaningful Link Text
As part of our commitment to digital accessibility, it’s essential to focus on creating meaningful link text that benefits all users, especially those using screen readers. Meaningful link text provides clear context about the content it leads to, allowing users to navigate effortlessly. Instead of generic phrases like “click here” or “read more,” opt for descriptive text that summarizes the linked content, such as “Explore our latest safety guidelines” or “Download the accessibility checklist.” This approach not only improves the user experience but also aids search engine optimization.
Incorporating meaningful link text supports inclusivity, ensuring that everyone—regardless of their abilities—can access and understand your content. Remember, the goal is to empower your audience by making navigation intuitive and informative. Let’s continue to prioritize accessibility in all our communications!
Sustainability Update
Thanks to feedback from the Sustainability Committee, we have added three new recycling streams here at AL by partnering with Terra Cycle. This is a pilot program and will be adjusted based on interest and usage. Here’s a summary of the three new streams:
- Disposable Gloves
- Free from visible blood, heavy soils, or contamination with hazardous materials
- Empty Centrifuge Tubes and Rigid Lab Plastics
- Otherwise unrecyclable rigid plastics (beakers, centrifuge tubes, trays, vials)
- Empty and rinsed of any hazardous materials (dry)
- Binders & Presentation Materials
- Binders and covers only
The boxes for recycling gloves and rigid lab plastics have been installed in Molecular Ecology, CASIF, and Water Chemistry. The binder and presentation material collection box can be found outside the admin office on the second floor lobby bridge. To make this most affordable, please continue to use the blue bins in the hallways for all plastics embossed with the #1, 2, 4, 5, or 7. The new boxes are only for un-embossed/unlabeled rigid lab plastics.
When your recycling box is close to full, please notify Katie Kline, who will order a replacement and pick up the full box to ship back to Terra Cycle.
Please note that this is for recycling materials generated through your work here at the lab. Please do not bring in materials from home or other applications.
Recent Publications
Cathlyn M. Davis, Joely G. DeSimone, Jen C.Owen, Andrea M. Lindsay, Emily B. Cohen. 2026. Public engagement at North American bird banding stations: Widespread prevalence with emerging evidence of knowledge- and belief-based outcome considerations. Ornithological Applications.
Ngeve, M.N., Rufo, K.E., and Zbinden, Z.D.. 2026. Management pathways for fragmented populations: From habitat restoration to genetic intervention. Diversity.
Bryan N. Shuman, Ivanka Stefanova, Ioana C. Stefanescu, Tessa Ray-Cozzens, Jonathan Johnson, David M. Nelson. 2026. The role of the climate niche in repeated abrupt tree declines and ecotone dynamics in the Appalachian Mountains during the Holocene. Frontiers of Biogeography.
Stansfield, Alexis R., Booth, Robert K., Nelson, David M., Johnson, Jonathan. 2025. Recent changes in the use of phototrophy by a mixotrophic testate amoeba inferred from δ13C measurements from an arctic peat core. Microbial Ecology.
Wiles, Sam, Schlenker, Nora, Nelson, David M., Shuman, Bryan, Williams, John W.. 2025. Are ecotonal systems more sensitive to climate change? Past ecotonal dynamics and rates of vegetation change in Michigan. Global Ecology and Biogeography.
Mark Your Calendars
- TGIF, May 1st at 3:30 PM
- UMCES Faculty Convocation – May 11-12 at CBL
- May Town Hall – May 26th at 11 AM
- May 27-28 – Summer 2026 AL Internship Program Onboarding
- UMCES Graduation – May 29th at IMET
- AL Inspiration Award – June 4th at AL
- Johnson Environmental Education Award – August 27th at AL
Quick Links
Do you have something you’d like to share with the AL community? Please submit any announcements and updates to Katie Kline or Heather Johnson.
