Wellesley College professors from the departments of Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Studies participated in a panel on Saturday, Oct. 25, about climate change and research at Wellesley as part of the “Wellesley at 150” celebration. 

An audience of mostly alumni and parents gathered to hear about the research of three professors — Alden Griffith, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies; Rachel Stanley, Associate Professor of Chemistry; and Rebecca Belisle, Knafel Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences — as well as their reflections on science in the world today.

Trustee Paulina Ponce de Leon Barido ’05, who moderated the conversation, first asked the audience to raise their hands if they were “at least a little bit afraid of climate change.” Nearly every audience member raised their hand.

During the Q&A session following the panel, audience members expressed anxiety about recent federal funding cuts to research. Panelists acknowledged this anxiety and discussed how their research continues despite these cuts.

Thus far, the most significant effects have been on student opportunities for research, according to Griffith.

He explained that despite the large impact of federal funding cuts to research on the broader scientific landscape, he has been able to continue his research because it is relatively inexpensive. 

Stanley echoed her concern about impacts to the field, but said she was lucky to have recently received funding for her lab’s main project for the next two years.

Belisle, who conducts research on solar cell materials, added that she believes a global transition to more renewable energy sources will occur regardless of the Trump administration’s cuts to research funding, but U.S. contributions to the renewable energy workforce will decrease.

Barido also asked panelists about the goals and impacts of their research at Wellesley and beyond. 

Griffith emphasized the role students play in his research on how invasive species respond to increasing precipitation. Stanley described her research on oceanic absorption of carbon dioxide. Belisle showed photos of students making semiconductors for her lab’s solar cell research.

All three professors spoke about working with students directly as a benefit of conducting research at a liberal arts college rather than a large, research-focused university. 

“The students are doing everything,” said Stanley. “It wouldn’t be happening without them.”

Belisle and Griffith expressed hope in the growing acceptance and use of renewable energy, and Stanley added that she finds inspiration in young people who care about the climate crisis, noting that Wellesley prepares students for uncertainty by teaching them how to learn.

Ultimately, Belisle emphasized that her goal in undergraduate solar cell research is to not only develop the next generation of solar materials but also the next generation of solar scientists. 

“Nobody else is doing this,” she said. “[Students’] time and energy has an inherent value, and how they direct that will have effects on their communities.”

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Jessica Chen, Galeta Sandercock, Rebecca Birnbach, Lyanne Wang