Cris Hochwender, PhD
Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies

Cris Hochwender teaches several courses collaboratively, including Evolution and Ecology and two summer courses in Field Botany. These courses are hands-on, with an intentional focus on outdoor experiences. Like the rest of the faculty members who teach in the environmental studies program, Professor Hochwender recognizes that the experience students gain in field trips provide them with exciting challenges that add another dimension to their education.

In addition to the courses he teaches, Professor Hochwender has conducted research in the Catskill Mountains of New York. As part of this research, several undergraduate students spent the summer in upstate New York, conducting research with him. Students contributed to every aspect of the investigation. Their scientific experience included reading literature, developing research protocols, and collecting and analyzing data. The research experience culminated in developing a presentation for a national conference.

“The personal contact that summer research provides is great,” says Professor Hochwender, “but the biggest benefit students get from doing a summer project is the competitive edge they gain. Evansville students who have done research with me or with another professor have a leg up when competing for jobs or when applying to graduate school.”

Arlen Kaufman
Director, Environmental Studies Program
Associate Professor of Chemistry

As the director of the environmental studies program, Arlen Kaufman teaches courses related to the area of chemical analysis. Students in his classes get hands-on training with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. Professor Kaufman explained that "students not only need to learn how to perform the analyses used in the environmental field, but they also need to understand how a particular analysis works on a fundamental level. This knowledge gives our students a competitive advantage over those in the field who are simple 'button pushers.' Our graduates leave UE with the understanding and ability to be able to choose the best analysis for the task at hand."

Professor Kaufman's research focuses on developing and using analytical technologies to determine the existence and extent of chemical pollutants in the environment. Two of his current research projects involve using cold vapor atomic absorption to determine the amount of mercury in the Ohio River and using inductively coupled plasma (optical emission spectrometry) to determine the amount of lead in a neighborhood surrounding a local Superfund site. "UE's instrumental analysis laboratory is extremely well equipped," said Professor Kaufman, "and this allows our students to perform analyses that would be very difficult, if not impossible, without the resources at our disposal. As an added bonus, we are able to perform research on chemical pollutants in the local environment that is of critical importance to the Evansville community."