Both personally and professionally, Professor Michael Wasserman is demonstrating a serious commitment to the environment. He and his family chose a home that relies entirely on rainwater instead of a city water supply, ensuring that they use only what they receive and that they can keep a close eye on their water use. With thick, stucco walls and very few west or east-facing windows, the home doesn’t take much AC to stay cool in the summer. Using waste water to care for the lawn and purchasing organic and local food further demonstrate his commitment to sustainability.
As a professor of Environmental Science & Policy, he focuses on a number of environmental issues, including climate change, bushmeat hunting of endangered species, effects of pesticides on human and wildlife health, and water scarcity and quality issues. He uses noninvasive techniques when researching wild primates to examine how various human activities affect their health.
Since his expertise lies in tropical forests and primates, he stresses the importance of the tropics as centers of biodiversity, saying “If there is any hope for the future, we must protect tropical forests for their biodiversity and key role in climate regulation.” He feels that his biggest contribution to sustainability is communicating the importance of the three main tropical regions (Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia) to undergraduate students and master’s students in the Environmental Management and Sustainability program at St. Edward’s. Professor Wasserman advises these master’s students on research projects they conduct related to sustainability, including work at the Wild Basin Creative Research Center. These projects range from the carbon footprint of universities to evaluating how various corporations attempt to become more sustainable.
Professor Wasserman is currently in Thailand starting a new project on gibbons in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary that will complement his work in Kibale National Park, Uganda, and plans for Costa Rica (in collaboration with Dr. Peter Beck and St. Edward’s Associate Vice President for Global Initiatives, Bill Clabby).
For additional information on Wasserman’s research, click here.