Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
IN A FLASH: Power to the Pollinators!
Pollinator Day, proudly presented by 5XÉçÇø as a proud Bee Campus USA, will welcome all visitors to the KSU Pollinator Garden to celebrate our campus pollinators on September 5 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Kent State Today
Teaching Fashion Sustainability Through Gameplay
Gabby Adkins graduated from 5XÉçÇø in August 2025 with a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising. Prior to that, she spent the summer participating in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program, working under the mentorship of Gargi Bhaduri, PhD on a project that blended fashio…
Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
From Fungi to Foundations: Exploring Mycelium as a Building Material
For Environmental Studies senior Adam Frymier, summer 2025 was all about growth - both in the lab and in his own skills as a researcher. Under the mentorship of Britta Bielak, Assistant Professor of Interior Design in Kent State’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Frymier participate…
Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
IN A FLASH: The Halls of Science
Kent State’s Annual Environmental Science and Design Research Institute Research Showcase offers an opportunity for student researchers to present posters showcasing their explorations and findings in all areas of environmental research and design.
Kent State Today
Graduating ESDRI Fellows Reflect on Their Journey and What Comes Next
The Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) supports students through their undergraduate Fellows Program. In this program students across any major with interest in environmental science or design come together to form a like-minded, yet diverse, community of sch…
Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
Kent State Is the Place to BEE
Providing and maintaining a sustainable, bee-friendly environment has earned Kent State a Bee Campus USA certification. Our healthy on-campus pollinators not only help the environment but also provide opportunities for learning and community engagement.
Kent State Today
Exploring Mycelium-Based Composites: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sustainable Materials
A new project funded by the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) Seed Grant is exploring the potential of mycelium-based composites (MBCs) as a sustainable solution for the built environment. Led by Britta Bielak, NCIDQ (Assistant Professor, College of Architecture a…
Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
From Seed Grant to Community Impact: The LEAD Project Inspires Young Minds in Akron
In an inspiring initiative that blends education, environmental science, and community outreach, the Local Environment-Based Authentic Discovery (LEAD) project is transforming how students in Akron public schools engage with science. A 2019 Seed Grant from the Environmental Science and Design …
Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
Sustainability and Social Impact with Indigenous Farming Practices in Mexico
Salvador Rivas Aceves, PhD, a Professor of Economics and Business at the University of Panamericana in Mexico, and Sarah Schmidt, PhD, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at 5XÉçÇø, have been working on an impactful international project since 2018. Their collaborative effort …
Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
Harnessing Citizen Science to Track Invasive Species
Aciano Rosales, a Sophomore majoring in Environmental and Conservation Biology and minoring in climate change and geographic information systems (GIS) at 5XÉçÇø, participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program, where he conducted research on the Box Tree Mo…
Environmental Science and Design Research Institute