Hocking College will debut a new Environmental Science program starting in the fall of 2022 with the help of program manager Dr. Lucia Grossman.
Dr. Grossman grew up in Brazil, where she received her bachelor's from the School of Food Engineering (FEA) and a Master of Science in Biochemistry Division-Food Science Department-Food Engineering Faculty (FEA) at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP).
She also has a Doctor of Philosophy from the Biochemistry Department at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England, and a Post-Doctorate from the Department of Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA - EUA.
Dr. Grossman has served in multiple roles throughout her career, including teaching. She was a professor of Biochemistry and Microbiology at UNICAP for 33 years. Teaching and working with bioremediation is what brought her to Hocking College.
She's always enjoyed microbiology and biochemistry. While at the University of Massachusetts for her Postdoc, she first heard of bioremediation. Which she says is "the degradation of compounds that pollute the environment and are difficult to degrade such as pesticides, dyes and many others." She's been very interested in pollutants and how they reach the food chain through contaminated soil and water. She worked for many years researching bioremediation, mentoring and teaching students. She'll continue her work on this subject with her students at Hocking College.
The Environmental Science Program covers all aspects of environmental science. Students will learn about environmental biology, chemistry, geography, environmental ethics and natural resources skills.
Field and lab experiences will prepare students for entry-level positions in environmental consulting firms and local, state and federal agencies. Students will learn how to have an investigative mind, observation skills, analytical skills, problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking. This degree also provides a good foundation for those students who want to continue to another institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
For more information on Hocking College's Environmental Science Program, contact Dr. Lucia Grossman by email at grossmanl@hocking.edu or call at 740-753-6274.
