Leave no trace, but make your mark.

Learn to recognize environmental hazards, protect human health and improve environmental quality. With a strong basis in quantitative sciences, we prepare graduate students for challenging and exciting careers impacting the world around us.

Graduate program information

The Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences & Health Graduate Program

A graduate degree in environmental sciences and health provides opportunities to contribute to our field in impactful ways. Through comprehensive research and interdisciplinary studies, our students are challenged to address a wide-ranging assortment of rapidly changing environmental issues and concerns that are posing significant tests to the world today. Learn more about the graduate program, the admissions process and resources for student support.

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About us

Learn more about our research interests and interdisciplinary departments and partners that create our unique academic program. 

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Degree programs

Admission requirements, deadlines, program timelines, funding information and more outlining the doctoral and master's programs.

Two field researchers wearing safety equipment are conducting research with large pine trees.

Student resources

Program handbook, career information, and a list of student organizations and campus resources. 

Discover areas of expertise and meet the faculty within each area to find an advisor and area of research that inspires you.

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Research areas

With impactful current projects, 17 areas of emphases and multiple research centers, you'll be able to tailor your research to fit your interests. Learn more about our exciting fields.

A group of students are gathered and smiling toward the camera in a CABRN laboratory.

People of Environmental Sciences & Health

Meet our program faculty, program administrators and doctoral students that shape the program.

Faculty      Ph.D. students

Achievements and announcements

Anu Ogunleye

Doctoral and master's candidates receive USAID Grant

We are pleased to announce that two of our AVRS-CABNR and the Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences & Health graduate program’s graduate students, Mrs. Anuoluwapo Ogunleye, Ph.D. candidate and Graduate Student Association Rep for CABNR (pictured above); and Mr. Akwasi Opoku, M.S. Candidate, both in Dr. Juan Solomon’s lab and associates of Dr. Robert Washington-Allen's Double Alien Lab, for their successful application to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with Collaborators for a $40K grant to profile and document the nutritional properties of five staple crops in two major countries in West Africa to inform nutrition/dietary decisions by leveraging a nutrient database. Congratulations!

Maria Sole Bonarata

Doctoral student receives Dean's Merit Scholarship

Congratulations to Maria-Sole Bonarota, recipient of the Dean's Merit Scholarship. Maria-Sole is interested in understanding crop traits associated with tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity. Her research integrates expertise that span from molecular biology to ecophysiology to link gene expression to desid traits.  She is mentored by Dr. Felipe H Barrios Masias

Dr. Li Li receiving toxicology award at the Society of Toxicology conference

School of Public Health Professors Dr. Li Li and Dr. Dingsheng Li receive prestigious environmental health accolades

Assistants Professors Dr. Li Li and Dr. Dingsheng Li were awarded for their research at the Society of Toxicology 61st Annual Meeting and ToxExpo.

Read full article about their award in NevadaToday

Bangladeshi mother holding severely malnourished infant by Ridwan Islam

University scientists conduct, shed light on microbiome research to help impoverished children grow

Recent research in Bangladesh by University Assistant Professor Steven Frese shows that treating severely malnourished infants with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium infantis helps them grow.

Read full article about Dr. Frese's work in NevadaToday

Graduate student Natalie Allen wins best poster at Siebens-Binz Tahoe Forum

This event was University-wide, and a historical first for the University of Nevada, Reno a discussion on sustainability. Natalie demonstrated the significance of her research on environmental murcery to a mostly non-scientific audience who voted for her poster and ultimately resulted in her being invited to a reption where she personally met Dr. Guy Harvey and Sir Richard Branson who were in attendance. Congratulations, Natalie!

Congratulations to Mozart Fonseca, Ph.D., named Regents' Rising Researcher!

Awards are given annually to three NSHE faculty members (one from each research institution: University of Nevada, Reno; UNLV; and Desert Research Institute) based on early-career accomplishments and potential for future advancement and recognition in research.
Congratulations, Mozart Fonseca!

Our impact

Nevada Today news stories from Environmental Sciences & Health and the departments and partners that contribute to the program.

Salem Neufeld standing outside on a bride near some trees.

Faces of the Pack: Salem Neufeld

Honors College student Neufeld discusses his passion for inspiring future leaders

A man holds up a bottle of fly larvae with two students looking on.

What can an insect’s sense of smell tell us about the neuroscience of decision-making?

Research study can shed light on decision-making based on hunger

Event panelists sitting at a long table on a stage, with students watching the discussion.

Panel explores the link between financial stability and mental and physical health

Experts from GNCU, the University of Nevada, Reno, Community Health Alliance, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Reno discussed how financial hardship can impact overall health and well-being