Green in name and practice
Frank Green used the G.I. Bill® to complete his bachelor’s and continue on for a master’s degree in environmental science at TU
February 5, 2019
True to his name, Frank Green is an environmentalist.
And he knows that when it comes to making a positive impact on the Earth, scientific research is critical.
That’s why, after serving in the United States Marine Corps., Green chose to use his G.I. Bill® benefits to complete his bachelor’s and continue on for a master’s degree in environmental science (ENVS) at Towson University.
As a researcher in associate professor Christopher Salice’s applied ecology and ecotoxicology lab, Green studies amphibians’ responses to increased concentrations of road salt in the ponds they use for breeding.
Green is grateful that the environmental science and studies program enables him to conduct independent research. And he particularly values the mentorship he receives from Salice, who is also the program’s director.
“He’s always available,” says Green. “He lets us pick his brain for research ideas and help with writing our thesis proposals and presentations. He is very encouraging but also challenging.”
Part of how Salice challenges his students is by pushing them to take advantage of professional development opportunities, such as presenting at regional and national conferences and talking about their research at Towson’s Retreat for Environmental Action, which serves as an incubator for student-led action on environmental issues.
Last year, Green attended the National Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry conference in Minneapolis. He says the experience gave him real-world insight on how researchers conduct their work, network, and collaborate with each other, private industry and government entities.
“It broadened my scope of how people in our field operate,” says Green, who plans to enter a Ph.D. program on completion of his master’s.
“ [Christopher Salice] is very encouraging but also challenging. ”