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Tisa Shrestha '26 studies Architecture at Bennington and supplements her Plan with coursework in Mathematics and Environmental Studies. During the 2024 Field Work Term, Shrestha worked at (LI-BIRD), a Nepal-based NGO that supports the sustainable management of natural resources in support of smallholder farmers.

Mehedi Sizar '25 studies Mathematics and Computer Science at Bennington, but he also has a personal passion for protecting the environment. His experience as a 2024 Endeavor Foundation Environmental Action Fellow allowed him to return to his birthplace of Bagmara, Rajshahi, Bangladesh to work with , the largest environmental group in Bangladesh.

BENNINGTON, VT— At 8:00 pm Thursday, May 2, Professor from the Department of Geography and Geosciences at the University of Vermont, will give a lecture covering the latest climate change science coming out of the 2023 National Climate Assessment and the implementation of Vermont’s first ever Climate Action Plan, which was adopted in December 2021. The event, this year’s Robert H. Woodworth Lecture in the Sciences, is free and open to the public. It is scheduled for the Tishman Lecture Hall, which is labeled #3 on the campus map. 

Five Questions with Astronomer Hugh Crowl

Hugh Crowl, astronomer and faculty member in astronomy and physics at Bennington, is teaching a class this term all about the total solar eclipse crossing nearby 51�������� on April  8. Bennington will experience a 97-percent eclipse, but the class is traveling north to Plattsburgh, NY, to be in the path of totality.

Ryan Chigogo ’23, energy analyst at Charles River Associates, reflects on his time at 51��������. 

Article by Gaurav Aung '24

51�������� science faculty member Tim Schroeder co-authored a journal article, “Mineral Carbonation of Peridotite Fueled by Magmatic Degassing and Melt Impregnation in an Oceanic Transform Fault,” that was published in the most recent issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Music performances and documentary screening create a vibrant program of Milford Graves events.

Milford Graves: A Mind-Body Deal, a nationally traveling exhibition, gathers the multifaceted work of Milford Graves (1941-2021) to explore the practices and predilections of an extraordinary jazz innovator, tireless polymath, and legendary 51�������� professor.

Computer Scientist Darcy Otto studies the foundations of computation, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and AI ethics and is starting as a new faculty member in the spring term. He is eager to help students discover how to think like computer scientists and how deep questions connect seemingly disparate areas of study.

Shlesha Pradhan '24, from Kathmandu, Nepal, has always been interested in science, particularly in Biology. While in high school, her initial plan was to enter the field of medicine; however, her perspective shifted when she took a volunteer role at a rehabilitation center.

On the final Wednesday of the fall 2023 term, students in faculty member Caitlin McDonough MacKenzie’s course prepared to present their final projects. 

During the last few days of the fall term, Jupiter Kalinowski ’23, who studied protein biochemistry and biological research methods at Bennington, was busy in the lab. They were running the final experiment of their senior work.

Eve Vishnick ’23 has always been torn between studying visual arts and more science-related fields. She was attracted to Bennington for two reasons, she said. “Great financial aid and the ability to combine two separate fields without having to double major. I could make it into one thing. That was a big draw for me.”

Bennington's unique hands-on approach, embrace of all things multidisciplinary, and strong faculty mentorship sets Bennington science students apart. Thirteen alumni with careers in the sciences share how the creative and nimble education they received at Bennington and how it has helped advance their careers. 

Eratosthenes of Cyrene was the first person to prove that the earth was a sphere and to calculate its circumference. Swagatta Datta ’23, who studied theoretical mathematical physics at Bennington, is following in ​​his footsteps. Only Datta is interested in the universe.

Three students presented their research experiences working with Drosophila: the common fruit fly. As varied as their research was, each agreed that fruit flies are a great model organism. Each exemplified the perseverance required in scientific research, and all would encourage students to apply for research experiences.

The data Olivia Chiossone ’23 gathered during a “Research Experience for Undergraduates” program at Eastern Kentucky University propelled her senior work.

Meet organic chemist and new Bennington faculty member Fortune Ononiwu.

Bennington’s Women in Data Science Datathon introduced students to computer science and datathons to expand experience, create community, and build excitement for their upcoming virtual conference.

Halley Le ’25 is a Bennington student from Vietnam, studying Chemistry. During Fall 2022, she worked as the On-Campus Reporter in the 51�������� Office of Communications and Marketing, and wrote a number of stories covering the science scene at Bennington.

As a theoretical physics student, Swagata Datta ’23 walks a path that few venture at Bennington. After completing his second undergraduate research project, Datta reflected upon his Bennington education and Field Work Term experiences, which informed his research interests and plan for continued education. 

By Halley Le '25

How can women and underrepresented minorities in the technology industry better support each other? 51�������� is starting a chapter of Women in Data Science (WiDS), a student-led initiative aimed to support college students through the creation of dialogues, opportunities, and shared resources.

By Halley Le '25

William Huntley ’23 shares his journey researching leaf morphology at Harvard, his passion for molecular and plant biology, and how his Bennington education helped shape his vision for higher education.

By Halley Le '25

How does the fat distribution and aging process in fruit flies illuminate how the human body functions? Tom Evans ’24 dove into this question at a pathology research lab in the University of Washington (UW) during the Summer 2022 Field Work Term (FWT).

By Halley Le '25

How can parents of infants notice the early markers for autism? Can early identification lead to better care down the road? 

By Halley Le '25

Dr. Jennifer H. Mieres '82, MD, senior vice president of Northwell Health's Center for Equity of Care and chief diversity and inclusion officer, has been named the American Heart Association’s (AHA) . 

Research Professor of Oceanography at Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Dr. Kara Lavender Law will speak on&�Բ�����;“A Global Look at Plastic in the Ocean.”&�Բ�����;

Julisa Juarez ’22 discusses her National Science Foundation Fellowship, which will enable her to go to the University of Washington to pursue her PhD in Chemistry.

By Mary Brothers '22

Why wait until graduate school to find your scientific niche? At Bennington, science students don’t just tag along with their professors’ research interests—they craft research questions themselves.

Carlos Mendez-Dorantes ’15, now a research fellow at the  in Boston, has received several awards for his postdoctoral research into the investigation of LINE-1 biology in cancer research.

This summer, 186 Bennington students completed their annual Field Work Term, working either in-person or remotely on a variety of internships, independent study projects, professional trainings, and more.