MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – The first student candidate for graduation from Western Illinois University’s Environmental Science: Large River Ecosystems Ph.D. program has successfully defended her dissertation. Michele Rehbein, of Helper, UT, received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from WIU, in 2013 and 2016 respectively. She defended her dissertation, “Mosquitoes of Wetland and Low Order Streams in West-Central and North Central Illinois: Developing Models Between Culex Mosquito Abundance Versus Abiotic Factors and Identification of Mosquito Hosts through Genetic... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Just 12 months after Western Illinois University Agriculture Professor Win Phippen announced the award of a $10 million federal grant to investigate the use of Pennycress as a commercial cash crop, a second grant has been awarded that dovetails into the initial grant and helps ensure a consistent version of the alternative crop is produced. WIU will receive just under $1 million of a $13 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant aimed at genetically strengthening pennycress plants for use in sustainable energy work. For WIU’s portion of the grant, the University Farm will... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL –- Professor Roger Viadero, director of Western Illinois University’s Environmental Science Ph.D. program, was recently recertified as a Certified Senior Ecologist (CSE). Viadero is an aquatic environmental engineer with expertise designing, conducting and leading large-scale environmental assessments that involve stakeholders from a variety of academic, regulatory and nongovernmental organizations. He is also board certified by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, with a specialty in hazardous waste management and site remediation. Michele Rehbein,... Read More