Ecological Society of America Bestows Prestigious Graduate Student Policy Award to Morgan State’s Chichedo Duru

Morgan State University students continue to make their mark on the national stage. Chichedo Duru, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry’s Bioenvironmental Science (Ph.D.) program is the recipient of the 2025 Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) from the Ecological Society of America (ESA).

This highly selective award recognizes graduate students who demonstrate a commitment to science advocacy and policy engagement. As one of only 10 students honored nationwide, Duru will have the opportunity to engage directly with congressional policymakers, federal agency officials and leading ecologists to advocate for federal investments in biological and ecological sciences.

Bridging Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future

Duru’s research at Morgan focuses on water quality management, sustainable land use and ecosystem restoration. She specializes in investigating contaminants such as PFAS and microplastics in surface water systems, using remote sensing and GIS technology to track pollutant movement, identify contamination sources, and develop strategies to protect biodiversity.

Driven by a passion for environmental conservation and sustainable resource management, Duru is committed to translating scientific research into actionable policies that promote ecological health and sustainability.

As an ESA Graduate Student Policy Award recipient, Duru will participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., on March 25–26, 2025, where she will:

• Receive hands-on policy and communication training at ESA’s headquarters
• Meet with congressional policymakers on Capitol Hill to discuss the critical role of federal research funding in the biological and ecological sciences
• Engage with leading ecologists and science policy professionals, gaining valuable experience in public policy advocacy

In recognizing the exceptional cohort of GSPA awardees, ESA President Stephanie Hampton extolled the scientists in training for “Their dedication to science policy is essential for bridging research and decision-making.” And by engaging with policymakers, “ensuring that ecological science informs solutions to today’s most pressing challenges.”

Many past recipients of this award have gone on to prestigious policy fellowships, including the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship and the NOAA Knauss Fellowship, making this recognition a significant stepping stone for Duru’s future contributions to environmental policy.

The 8,000-member Ecological Society of America is the world’s largest community of professional ecologists and a trusted source of ecological knowledge committed to advancing the understanding of life on Earth.

Duru’s achievement reflects Morgan’s growing prominence in research, sustainability and environmental science. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan continues to equip students with the tools to drive meaningful change in their fields, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and real-world policy solutions.

Congratulations to Chichedo Duru on this outstanding recognition—another example of Morgan scholars leading the way in scientific innovation and advocacy!