The 2025 Kent State East Liverpool Earth Day Environmental Justice Conference welcomed nearly 100 guests to the annual event, featuring student research and discussions related to the theme: “Arctic Nations and Climate Change.”
Students presented research projects in written and poster formats that explored the roles and responsibilities of Arctic nations to protect fragile ecosystems; manage natural resources sustainably; promote the well-being of Arctic residents; address the challenges of climate change; and respect the rights of the Indigenous populations in these regions.
Earning honors for presentations based on their written essays were Jaslin Kaur, first place for “The Environmental and Justice Impact of Skincare Chemicals in Sweden;” Melanie Szugye, second place for “Health Crisis in Arctic Communities Caused by Mineral Mining; and Laura Palattella, third place for “Eco-Friendly Marketing Strategies in Arctic Tourism.”
Winners in the poster competition were Madisen Sharier, first; Amber Moore, second; and Alison Humes, third.
The keynote speaker for the conference was Kent State Assistant Professor Allyson Tessin, Ph.D., a geologist and seagoing oceanographer who works in sub-polar and polar regions to understand how climate change impacts cycling of carbon, nutrients and trace metals.
She leads the sediment biogeochemistry lab at Kent State and a group of scientists who research in fields of oceanography, biogeochemistry and sedimentary geology. The group is active with the international scientific ocean drilling community.
Cutline A: Written essay winners at the 2025 Environmental Justice Conference were (from left) Laura Palattella, Melanie Szugye and Jaslin Kaur.
Cutline B: Winners in the poster competition were (from left) Alison Humes, Amber Moore and Madisen Sharier.
Cutline C: Allyson Tessin, Ph.D. (center) is flanked by conference committee members Lydia Rose, Ph.D. and Darryl Hancock, Ph.D., chair.