Christian Doogan, a PSU graduate student studying the source of toxic aluminum in New Hampshire watersheds, has been awarded the first Joe and Gail White Fellowship.

The White Fellowship was created by two Plymouth State graduates who care deeply about protecting New Hampshire’s natural resources and fostering PSU’s ongoing efforts in educating the public about this goal. Joe ’68 and Gail White ’66 were both teachers who eventually started a successful organic farm in southern New Hampshire. The White Fellowship pays a graduate student’s tuition, a stipend, or research expenses.

Doogan, a student in the Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy program in PSU’s Center for the Environment (CFE), will use the White Fellowship Award to underwrite his thesis research on whether the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 have helped lower levels of acid rain and lessened acid rain’s impact on New Hampshire watersheds.

According to Professor of Environmental Science and Policy Steve Kahl, Doogan’s work will serve the people of New Hampshire well. “This project will continue the collaborative tradition in the Center, with Doogan working with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the White Mountain National Forest to address the importance of watershed science in understanding the condition of New Hampshire’s surface waters.”

Doogan, who plans to pursue a doctorate in hydrology, previously conducted research for the National Science Foundation studying carbon sequestration in forests at Michigan Tech University, as well as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“I am thankful they [Joe and Gail White] care about PSU students, the Center for the Environment, and protecting the White Mountains,” said Doogan. “Hopefully, later in my career, I will be able to give support to students the same way they have helped me.”