Three SUNY Potsdam Faculty Members Among Group of Local Researchers Honored by St. Lawrence County Legislature, Board of Health
Back row, from left: Mark Deavers (Board of Health), Dr. Gregory Healy (Board of Health), Dr. Glenn Johnson (SUNY Potsdam), Dr. Robert Snyder (SUNY Potsdam). From row, from left: Dr. Brian Leydet (SUNY ESF), Dr. Tom Langen (Clarkson University), Dr. Katherine Cleary (SUNY Potsdam), Rita Curran (Board of Health/County Legislature), Dr. Jessica Scillieri-Smith (Board of Health), Dr. Kathleen Terrence (Board of Health Vice President) and Dr. Andrew Williams (Board of Health President)
SUNY Potsdam faculty members Dr. Robert Snyder, Dr. Katherine Cleary, and Dr. Glenn Johnson were formally recognized by the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators on Sept. 16, in honor of their leadership and contributions to a new mosquito surveillance program aimed at protecting public health across the region.
The SUNY Potsdam professors were presented with a resolution of appreciation during the county Board of Health meeting. Also honored were their collaborators on the program: Dr. Tom Langen (Clarkson University), Dr. Brian Leydet and Dr. Mariann Johnston (SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry), and the St. Lawrence County Department of Public Health.
The mosquito surveillance initiative, launched this summer, is designed to monitor local mosquito populations for vector-borne pathogens, including West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The program provides critical data to help officials assess risk and respond proactively to potential outbreaks.
The resolution, advanced by Glenn Webster, chair of the services committee, states that the faculty members’ involvement “has strengthened the relationship between the Public Health Department and local institutions of higher education, fostering opportunities for continued collaboration, academic engagement and community-based public health initiatives.”
In addition to faculty leadership, SUNY Potsdam students played a key role in the field work and data collection efforts, gaining valuable hands-on experience in environmental science, biology and public health research.
“This program exemplifies the kind of experiential learning we strive to offer at SUNY Potsdam,” said Dr. Katherine Cleary, associate professor of environment and sustainability. “Our students were out in the field, applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, and contributing to a meaningful public health initiative.”
The Board of Legislators commended the faculty team for their voluntary service, technical expertise and dedication to civic responsibility, noting that their work has laid the foundation for continued academic engagement and community-based public health initiatives. In fact, the team plans to continue the mosquito surveillance program in future years, providing critical data to the Board of Health and an opportunity for future SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson and SUNY ESF students to participate in these interdisciplinary internships.
SUNY Potsdam’s Environment and Sustainability major (formerly called Environmental Studies) is interdisciplinary, and designed to prepare environmental leaders of the future. The interdisciplinary curriculum provides students with an understanding of human attitudes and behaviors toward nature, and emphasizes a grounding in science to prepare them to shape viable environmental policy and practice. For more information, see www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/depts/Env.
SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Biology is grounded in the principle that every student should receive a quality education fitting their interests. Undergraduate research is embraced, with opportunities for hands-on learning in the fields of ecology, evolutionary biology, cell and molecular biology, environmental science, the health sciences, and anatomy and physiology. The department also operates the Wagner Institute for Sustainability and Ecological Research. For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/biology.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.